PUBLIC HEALTH

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160736, 24 August 1920, Page 7

PUBLIC HEALTH

DUTY OF MEDICAL PROFESSION. INTERESTING ADDRESS. Received August 24, 12.40 p.m. BRISBANE, August 24. Dr. Wilson, president of the Medical Congress, giving an address, urged that it was the duty of the medical profe.-.sion as a whoio to conserve the health of the community. Ft wa-s to Pievei.tixc- medicine that people looked to save them from disease, to prevent infantile mo:talily, and to prevent overcrowding, thereby lessening the incidence ci tuberculosis and oilier diseases owing their existence to unhygienic conditions. A united profession would speak with a voice of thunder, which would shake the supinencss of Governments and the carelessness of the people. Strong, concerted action was necessary in the direction of conserving the public tne nationalisation, or tuc profession, He said the time was not far distant, in the opinion of many, when the question would become acute. If newly-qualified practitioners ; egan with i-SiJO yearly, received automatic increases each two or three years, and worked only eight hears daily, the profession would attract raoii of ability lie considered a .vb'cmo of nationalisation practicable, which would benefit both the profession, and the public. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. Received—August 24. 1 p.m. BRISBANE, August 24._ Ac the ?ilc‘diea! Congress, .Dr Wilson's address, referring to the prohibition e.f the manufacture and use of alcoholic beverages, maintained that alcohol, taken as wine or ale, had its um ; therefore, while stopping the sale of whiskv. hrr.ndv. gin. and rum, except as a'drug, he would permit the sale of light wine, containing not more than seven per cent., and boor and ale of ;j per cent, alcoholic strength.