RHEUMATISM AND INDUSTRY
Snt,—In your issue of September 25th appeared a 'letter from Sir Frank Fox, of the Empire Rheumatism Council, in which attention is called to the lack of means of treating rheumatism, from which the general practitioner suffers. In support of this statement he refers to Lord Horder's booklet, Rheumatism—A Plan for National Action. But attention was called to this deficiency in our medical service in an article from my pen entitled Treatment Centres, published in The Spectator as long ago as 1921, at a time when I, whole-heartedly sup- ported by that gracious lady H.R.H. Princess Louise, persuaded the progressive Kensington Division of the B.R.C.S. (County of London) to open a physical treatment centre, which under the capable adminis- tration of the Hon. Mrs. Anthony Orpen, has been so developed as to serve as a model for similar centres in these isles and elsewhere. Many more are undoubtedly needed.
Lord Horder is a very able and popular physician, but the habit of waiting for the pronouncement of the elect has during recent years led to much regrettable delay and, if much further developed, may lead to such regard for their pronouncements as, in the cases of Aristotle, Galen and Avicenna resulted in the stagnation of medical research characteristic of mediaeval times.
Means of early diagnosis and treatment, not only of rheumatism but of all diseases, especially, nevertheless, of cancer and consumption, should be available to every member of the community. The expense entailed would in the long run prove a most economical investment.— Yours faithfully, HAROLD H. SANGUINETTI. 35 Holland Street, Kensington, W. 8.
Previous page
