To the Editor:—
In his article "Rehabilitation: An Evolving Concept" (195:1129, 1966), Dr. Eustace lucidly outlined the progress of rehabilitation medicine especially as it applied to vocational rehabilitation. He defined the limitations of rehabilitation as presented by the patient, the environment, and the physician. He opposed the abdication of responsibility of the physician to the nonphysician in the management of rehabilitation patients. He indicated the dangers inherent in such a course both ethically and practically.As a corollary to this excellent presentation, it is important to inquire further into the passing of the responsibility from physician to nonphysician. Actual prescriptions and consultation requests found in many hospitals with excellent medical and surgical staffs read "give the patient crutches," "give the patient electrotherapy," "spondylitis, treat the neck," "long leg brace," "would like some occupational therapy," "give heat and massage," "fit with a leg," "exercise the legs," "vocational training." Most frequently,