PRE MEDS

To the Editors of the CRIMSON:

Jerald R. Gerst's "Brass Tacks" editorial entitled "Instant Pre-Med" disturbed me for, although Jerry's heart was in the right place, his analysis of the problems facing medicine was somewhat misdirected. Thus, I would like to raise some point in relation to that November 2 editorial.

One might dispute the statement that most of the new-comers to the pre-med world are biologists, chemists, and even mathematicians and physicsts, who fit the "science wonk" description. And, this single statement seems to be the crux of Jerry's argument; "they won't be practicing physicans. And therein lies the tragedy of the situation. For instant pre-meds have, on the average, more impressive academic records." Again, I ask for documentation.

In reality my sympathies are with Jerry, but I fear he confused two very separate issues. First, there is a draft that is raping the minds of college men, making them do alil sorts of brave and not-so-brave things. I, for one, would hope that criticism be directed toward the system which is totally distorting personal motivations and frustrating young college men.

Second, and quite separate, there is a medical system in this country which is at best miserable in terms of distribution. I honestly believe that the great number of medical-researchers-of-the-future about to be accepted to medical school would have been little different with a far different draft situation. The basis of my belief is the medical admissions system and the medical community as it exists today. Medical schools, including the most illustrious (and, perhaps, especially the most illustrious) have spent the last twenty years concerning themselves with rather sophisticated research and not with problems of medical care administration and distribution. The days are gone (in America at least) when the major advance in the health of a populus depends on advances in curbing disease as it is classically known. Rather, advances in distribution and administration of medical care will be the most significant contribution of medicine in the next decades. Frederick J. Fox '68