Surplus Doctors

Deans of the 86 first-class medical schools in the U. S. and Canada, most of which open for business this month, are appalled at the numbers of candidates for medical education. At the end of last school year there were 22.135 students. During the previous year there were 21.982. This year the schools expect a proportionate increase. But there is not room now for all medical aspirants. Canada's 2,448 students last year included 308 U. S. citizens. The U. S. medical overflow sent 339 U. S. students and their fees into Great Britain (Scotland was very hospitable), 188 into Austria (a 50% increase over the previous year), 155 into Italy (100% increase), 183 into Germany (150% increase), 214 into Switzerland (230% increase). The American Medical Association, which keeps close tab on the situation, in its Journal last week printed the current picture.

About 4,700 doctors begin their practice in the U. S. & Canada each year, and about 3.400 old ones die. The annual average for ten years has been: graduates 3,920, deaths 3,088.

How to prevent this surplus? Some medical schools have increased their fees. Johns Hopkins charges $610 tuition a year. Nine others charge $500 or more. Only six charge less than $100. Fifteen schools will not give a medical degree until the graduate has put in a year as intern, in many cases without salary. Especially hard are U. S. examining boards on graduates of foreign medical schools.

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