Annual Function; Public's Desire For Miracles Last Thursday the Shanghai Medical Society held its annual social meeting at the Cercle Sportif Fran-çais. At this meeting ladies and nonmedical guests were permitted. The guests of honour were Judge and Mrs. Milton J. Helmick. After a pleasant interlude ior cocktails, dinner was served at 8 o'clock.
The meeting was well attended, there being between 80 and 90 people present. After dinner, the President of the Society, Dr. E. G. Gauntlett, stated how pleased he was to see so many guests, and he welcomed especially Judge and Mrs. Helmick. The President stated that as this was an informal meeting, there would be no toasts and no formal speeches, but that Judge Helmick had kindly consented to address the society. He mentioned that the judge had spoken to the society some three years ago and needed no introduction to members.
Judge Helmick then thanked the society for having invited Mrs. Helmick and himself, and for the honour of asking him again to address the members. In a very amusing speech, he referred to the public's ideas of both the medical and the legal professions; these ideas and opinions were derived mainly from novels and films. Often they were flattering, but sometimes the reverse. He also referred to "quackery", which he said originated from the public's desire for "miracles". Quacks were prepared to promise "miracles" and the public to believe such promises, whereas the conscientious physician could and would only offer what his training and experience had taught him to expect. This could not always be a "cure"
Dr. Gauntlett then thanked Judge Helmick ior his address, and the society then, through the medium of Dr. H. H. Morris, wished Dr. E. L.
Marsh "Bon Voyage" and a happy retirement.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.