PAGE SIX
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1943
Shortage of Doctors Threatens Nation With 'Slow Deterioration' of Health
With approximately one-third of the nation's doctors in the armed forces, the Office of War Information has reported a "slow deterioration" of health in areas suffering from medical shortages. After a comprehensive survey of 60 United States communities in 20 states, the OWI released certain generalizations on the situation.
"While there is not at present a serious breakdown in the health of the nation due to the doctor shortage," OWI reported, "there is a probability of slow deterioration of health in communities suffering from medical shortages. Long hours of work in war plants are a contributing factor in health breakdown. The problem of absenteeism in war factories due to illness is a serious impediment to the success of the war."
Between 40,000 and 45,000 physicians have entered the armed forces, a large number to subtract from the 135,932 "effective" physicians in the United States on Sept. 30, 1942. Even with this number of doctors in the forces, the army and navy are calling for more, and they will probably request increased numbers in the future. The main problem rising from this situation seems to be the disparity of doctors called from different sections of the country. "Too many doctors are being taken from some sections and not enough from others," OWI officials assert.
Although many have thought the answer to this problem to be the relocation of doctors to areas in need, this does not mean it is a simple procedure. Districts where the shortage of doctors is the most acute are rural areas where the income standard is low. Physicians are not willing to leave lucrative practices to undertake such difficult tasks in those areas. Often doctors who have left for war service are not anxious to see outside doctors come in and take over their practices, and incoming doctors are often seriously discouraged.
Such attitudes and practices definitely threaten the health and welfare of the nation and lead officials farther and farther from solving the important problem. The idea that some doctors themselves are hindering the situation by such attitudes as here expressed is a disgrace to the profession.
This is a problem that affects every American and any time, money, or consideration that can be offered in any way to relieve the coming of a serious disaster to the health standards of the nation should be given attention.
Head of Kansas State College Has Long Record of Service
With the coming of the announcement of the resignation of Dr. F. D. Farrell, president of the Kansas State College at Manhattan, a long chapter of untiring service is added to the book of educators who have been leading and guiding American youths into the light of learning for many years. Throughout his varied career, Dr. Farrell has been interested in the agriculture of different states and in the agricultural service of the country. His deep interest in that field has made him an active and understanding president for the Kansas State College, a position he has held since May 4,1925
Just Wondering
Why students don't dispose of their chewing gum in some other manner rather than by throwing it in the drinking fountains in University buildings.
---
Dr. Farrell was born March 13, 1883, at Smithfield, Utah. After spending his early life on large ranches in Utah and Wyoming, he was graduated with a bachelor of science degree in 1907 from Utah Agricultural College. Later he was employed by the United States Department of Agriculture. In 1910 he organized the Agricultural Extension Service at the University of Idaho.
Returning to the Department of Agriculture in 1911, he became assistant agriculturist in Western irrigation investigations in 1914 and remained on that job in charge of government reclamation projects until 1918. In 1925, he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Agriculture by the University of Nebraska.
Dr. Farrell expresses his belief and interest in youth by his statement that the State College needs a young vigorous president. "I no longer have the strength necessary to enable me properly to carry the responsibilities of the position" he said.
Although Dr. Farrell is handing his position to those younger and is stepping aside for those with youthful strength and vigor, his strength of character as a leader, director, and friend to many college students will keep him young on the pages of the history telling of those performing real service.
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Student Paper of THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Lawrence, Kansas
EDITORIAL STAFF
NEWS STAFF
Editor-in-Chief ...Virginia Tieman
Editorial Associates ...Don Keown, Jimmy
Gunn. Maurice Barker
Managing Editor ... Joy Miller
Sunday editor ... Bill Haage
Campus Editors ... Jane Miner, Florence
              Brown, Clara Lee Oxley
Sports Editor ... Matt Heuertz
News Editor ... Phyllis Jones
Picture Editor ... Bob Schultheis
Society Editor ... Annie Lou Rossman
Wire Editor ... Virginia Gunsly
Feature Editor ... Jane Miner
BUSINESS STAFF
Rock Chalk Talk
Business Manager ... Oliver Hughes
Advertising Manager ... Betty Lou Perkins
Assistant Advertising Manager .. Mary Eleanor Fry
Advertising Assistant ... Mary Morrill
By MARY MORRILL
Strange beffellows: Half way awake one morning this week, Katie Burchfield, Theta, was bothered by something in bed with her. She reached out to push it away and came in contact with the cold body of a snake.
Mariette Bennett had arisen 15 minutes early to establish the fendish situation. Mariete claims she intended only to have the creature draped over the head of the bed when Katie awoke. Somehow, the snake, being dead and therefore, not realizing what he did, slithered on in.
Complete with catalog: Casual pedestrians walking about the west end of the campus around 6 o'clock one morning this week sighted a small square building on the back porch of the Gamma Phi house. On the door of the structure there was a crescent (the symbol of Gamma Phi—and other things) beneath which were inscribed the Greek letters of the sorority.
Surely this was the work of practical jokers. For years everyone has been led to believe, at least, that the Gamma Phi establishment is completely modern.
The point system—its humane side: Betty Jean Whitney and her roommates, Dorothy Dodsworth, Delores Sulzman, and Esteleleen Downs of Ricker hall are looking for some good book on how to be compatible with members of the rodent family, because they expect to be frequently in the company of said family, henceforth.
As of the day cheese went on the point list, the girls' only line of defense (seven mouse traps) crumbled.
Anything for a laugh—and $900: With not quite all of the $900 necessary for throwing the Junior Prom in their pockets, class officials thrust a cow bell into the hands of Raymond Kersher and advanced to Watson library.
Raymond began by walking through tables of students, clanging the bell, and announcing that only 32 hours and 45 minutes and 30 seconds remained before the Junior Prom, and people had better start buying tickets.
---
The little stunt ended with a game of tag in which Mr. Baker, chief librarian, and Raymond were the principal participants. At a distance of some 30 feet, the two ran from the basement to the third story and back down again. Mr. Baker was "it."
Live Alligator in Dyche Penthouse Pet
By JEAN JONES
Accounts of spectators dying from shock caused by having an alligator scream at them in a museum of stuffed animals hasn't yet found its way into medical journals; but don't be surprised if your heart skips a beat when you have just such a verbal greeting from Dyche museum's prized specimen.
"Allie," as she has been christened, shares a penthouse apartment on the third floor of Dyche museum with some pickled
"Allie," as she has ment on the third floor of Dye snakes, a bird collection, and some Gila Monsters. About six years ago the alligator was brought to the University from Florida, and was placed in a wire cage. When "Allie" arrived in Lawrence, she could stretch out to a paltry 8 inches; but with a proper diet of meat, principally turtles, snakes, and birds, the reptile has grown to be $5\frac{1}{2}$ feet long.
Causes Little Trouble
The alligator has given the curator very little trouble up to date, as, aside from having to be fed in the spring and summer, she requires very little care. However if someday she should wander out of her cage to explore parts unknown, she would present quite a problem. Zoologists maintain that although "Allie" is famous for her cheerful disposition, the other half of her dual personality is fierce and ferocious. Relatives of hers have attacked men, sometimes killing them.
The alligator's back and sides are defended by hard mailed plates, so the chances of shooting "Allie" are
Spectators' Delight
Although the alligator's hide could be tanned into a high quality leather or her teeth sold for $2 a pound for ornaments, she is not likely to meet such a drastic end. For the last five or six years she has been taken to Green's lake in the summer to delight spectator's, and this alone, makes "Allie" almost indispensable.
Down the hall from "Allie" live several Gila Monsters. They hail from the region around the Gila river in Arizona, for which they were named. The poisonous lizards are covered with bright orange and black pebble-like scales. Although usually inactive, they are vicious when aroused. The grip of their powerful jaws is so tenacious that a man can't break it without some prying instrument. They have grooved teeth, at the base of which are large salivary glands, with which they can deal our injurious bites.
FRID
P
一
(continued to page seven)
Th