To the Editor:—
It is to be wondered if the traveling medical societies have not outlived their usefulness. Perhaps in the past they may have had some educational purpose when there were not as many instruments of communication, such as the present-day multiplicity of teaching clinics and community and state medical meetings, as well as the existing plethora of journals, scientific movies, television series, and the like.The unfortunate secretary of the group must find a suitable hospital, medical school, or research institute with recognized eminence, one whose staff members are known for their participation in some popular kind of research or a "new" clinical approach, and who are willing to have visitors. Once the secretary has made suitable arrangements, he must convince the membership of the desirability of "his" program. After much persuasion, 30 physicians indicate that they will make the trip. Actually, various emergencies will arise, and no