Special Meeting
Sept. 1, 1942.
A special meeting of the Pima County Medical Society was held Tuesday night, September 1st, at the Pioneer Hotel, Dr. Hewitt presiding, the meeting being called at 8:30 P.M. Dr. Hewitt explained that this special meeting was called for the Society to meet with Mr. Barnum and Mr. Mansfield, at the two Selective Service Boards, and to discuss the possibilities of the Society arranging to help the Selective Service Boards in the selection of doctors and to discuss the problem of civilian population medical care under war conditions. Mr. Mansfield made a plea for help from the Society, and asked that the Society appoint a Committee for this purpose. He stated that the expected winter population for Tucson this year was 80,000. He pointed out some of the difficulties of the problem, which he wanted to turn over to the Society. Mr. Barnum also spoke, and wanted the Society to decide which doctors and how many should stay in Tucson. Mr. Mansfield pointed out that the Procurement Board had recommended that there be one doctor left for each 1500 civilians but that in Tucson, this being a health center, this might not be sufficient for our needs. Dr. Hill read a report on a study he had made of the doctor situation in Tucson. There are 94 active members of the Society, 13 of whom are not practicing here. Twenty-four members are already in the army, and eleven are waiting to go. This leaves 46 doctors, plus six others not members of the Society. There are thus 52 doctors to take care of a population of 80,000, without counting families of army people here. Dr. Hill then suggested that we recommend to the Selective Service Boards what minimum number of doctors be left in Tucson.
Dr. Thomas briefly discussed the history of the Procurement and Assignment Board. As representative of this region he has reported every member available, irrespective of age, health, etc., insofar as none are doing essential industrial work. He pointed out that the Procurement job is about over, the assignment is imminent. He read excerpts of a letter from Dr. Smith from Nogales, in which it was stated that now we had 99 men left in Tucson, and 22 men from here who have gone into Service. (This does not agree with the survey of Dr. Hill). Dr. Thomas also read parts of another letter from Dr. Smith, dealing with the assignment problem, in which Dr. Smith stated that there were twenty men available for military service in such communities as Ajo, Morenci, etc., if men from here would move to these communities. At present these men who signed their questionnaires as willing to do industrial medicine will be asked to take over these jobs on a voluntary basis. Later the government will probably step in.
Dr. Hewitt suggested a discussion of two problems: one, help for the draft board, and two, help we can give the Community for the future. Mr. Mansfield said that if Dr. Hill's figures are correct, no more doctors should be allowed to leave here, especially in view of the coming assignment problem. Mr. Barnum agreed we could not afford to lose more doctors here, after the other eleven men go. Mr. Mansfield said that the draft board will consult with Dr. Thomas when doctors' selective service numbers come up. Dr. Thomas suggested the President appoint a Committee to consider the problem of educating the population about the doctors' problem. Dr. Steen made a motion that a Committee be appointed. Dr. Hewitt then suggested that the existent public relations committee take over this work, of helping the draft boards in deciding how many men should be left here and or educating the public about the
