THE ANESTHESIOLOGIST AND THE HOSPITAL-Reply

To the Editor:—  I sincerely regret that my absence from the country made it impossible for me to reply at the time to Dr. H. Boyd Stewart's discussion of my paper on "Relationship of the Anesthesiologist to the Hospital" which appeared in The Journal, January 1, Page 9. I note that Dr. Stewart's discussion is generously in agreement with the general theme and the details of my paper and that he has emphasized fundamental aspects of the problem; namely, that medical policies should be the responsibility of the medical staff. I believe that most difficulties arise where the staff does not meet its responsibility. The individual anesthesiologist should not be expected single-handed to enter into contracts with hospital management without the guidance and advice of his senior colleagues. It is in their own interest as well as his and in the interest of sound medical practice to establish a simple