The large societies may have recourse to resort areas, with opportunity for entertainment, and this may induce attendance which would not otherwise take place.
Crucial in this respect is the tax deduction. If half of the expense can be charged off for someone else to pay, there is great inducement to attend a meeting at a pleasant resort. In this regard, with existing tax deductions, society members can scarcely afford to not go to meetings. Taxpayers who do not attend meetings are subsidizing those who do attend. The social physiologist and social pathologist of the future should investigate carefully the influence of the tax structure on medical communication. Meetings abroad are particularly relevant, and "shipboard" meetings are an exquisite biologic adaptation to an economic environment.
The small local societies, of whatever category, rarely can nuzzle up to the public trough. Dinner meetings—deductible, of course—may help a little, but not to