In that section of his annual report devoted to medical care of the students President Lowell expressed general satisfaction with the existing situation. Because his is the usual complacent sentiment expressed in official pronouncements on the medical situation, and because there has been no intimation of any change in the near future, the CRIMSON feels it necessary to express a view in opposition to the President's; a view believed to be held very generally by undergraduates. It is fully realized that the economic situation at present will not permit any unnecessary changes and that certain suggestions have been made from within the department itself to better the present conditions of personnel and equipment. But those conditions are deemed so serious as to justify investigation and criticism, even at a time when all but the most necessary expenses are forsaken.

Stillman Infirmary when it was built in 1901 was the most modern and efficient college dispensary in the country. It served as a model for other university infirmaries and yielded excellent service to Harvard. Since that time many improvements have been developed in medical architecture and the survey of Dr. Worcester two years ago illustrated its marked inadequacy. There are no sun porches, no elevator will hold a bed, no bed can be taken through the narrow doors, and there is no real surgical room, although one has been devised which will serve. While the care of those with minor ailments is good, many complaints have been voiced from those seriously ill. The plans that have been made for a new infirmary show the dissatisfaction that is felt regarding Stillman, but as yet no move has been publicly made to alter the situation. Harvard has always maintained its educational liberalism and progress. When the curriculum became too formal the tutorial system was instituted at a necessarily large expense in salaries. When Harvard was found too great and unwieldy a unit, money was obtained to subdivide it into smaller communities. But when the Infirmary became obsolescent it was allowed to continue its antiquated service to the students.

The history of Wadsworth House is somewhat different, for it has been one of slow growth. When Dr. Worcester came it was absolutely inadequate for the needs of the University. Chiefly through his efforts it has become at least serviceable. All this reconstruction was done under the burden of an inexcusably small budget. But even now the laboratory facilities are confined, the waiting room is crowded, there are no X-ray machines, and the whole quarters are too small for the personnel which inhabits them. That Wadsworth House has been found wanting is conclusively proved by the fact that several years ago plans were suggested for a new and modern medical centre. This building has been held in abeyance because the donor has felt the stress of the depression. But the University has offered no assistance in any way.

On the medical staff there are five physicians, not one of whom gives his full services to the College. At the present time the regular hours that a doctor is in attendance at Wadsworth House to consult with students totals two hours a day. Brevity in consultation is essential under these circumstances, and brevity, coupled with the fact that there are twenty in the waiting room, makes hasty and incomplete diagnosis inevitable. All doctors are occasionally guilty of bad diagnoses, but when time is limited and numbers large, the opportunity for error is greatly increased. This assertion is borne out by the many criticisms current among the undergraduate body. The situation is additionally aggravated by the fact that the whole sum allowed Wadsworth House for running expenses and salaries is only $22,564.40, the interest on the Henry K. Oliver bequest. The University contributes nothing, save to pay a possible deficit. Under the present large staff it is quite impossible to have any full time man, with all the expenses to be met by this slender sum.

There has been much criticism both of the equipment and of the personnel. It is impossible for the undergraduate to determine which is the most at fault. But whatever the causes of dissatisfaction, they should be thoroughly investigated by the University, and once found they must be corrected immediately. Student health is as great a trust as student education, to forsake it for any reason is as much an educational as a medical violation of faith.

(Ed. Note: This is the first of two editorials on the Medical Department at Harvard.)