MEDICAL PROTECTION

Frequent allusion has been made during the year to the inadequacy of the medical protection now afforded by the University and the possibility of the establishment of a medical center to house and centralize all the medical services provided and proposed by the authorities. The need for such a medical center has long been evident and it is at present the most urgent demand of the Harvard community.

When the property holdings of the University at Mount Auburn and Holyoke Streets were consolidated by the acquisition of the land now occupied by the Spee Club expression was given to the hope that plans for a new plant for the medical service of the College were forthcoming. Rumors have been circulated to the effect that an anonymous individual had offered to contribute the necessary funds for the realization of such a project but no definite announcement of it has been made. Such a gift would be most heartily welcomed by the University and its students.

The inability of the College Doctors to meet efficiently the seasonal demands for their services has borne out the argument that with their present equipment and staff they are not equal to the demands for their attention. The unsatisfactory facilities of Wadsworth House and the fact that the service is confined to insufficient hours seem to be conclusive evidence of the inadequacy of the medical protection. Any move to improve the present situation will be welcome.

Consideration of the systems of medical protection in force at other institutions makes the provision afforded by Harvard seem indefensible. The construction of the physical plant must await the generosity of an individual or an appropriation by the Corporation; the rehabilitation and expansion of the medical staff and service, though hampered by the present unmodern facilities, ought not to be delayed longer.