Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 April 1878 — THE WORLD’S DOCTORS. [ARTICLE]

THE WORLD’S DOCTORS.

The United States Has More Than Twice as Many Medical Men to the Square Rod as Any Other Country. fFrom the London G'obe.] From statistics that have recently been published, it would seem that there are many parts of the world presenting greater scope than Britain for the medical profession, and very few presenting less—if, at least, any opinion may be formed by the simple process of putting the numerical strength of the profession in each country of the globe against its population. Here, in Great Britain, we are told that we have something approaching 19,500 doctors, which, with a population of about 32,500,000, would give a medical man for about 1,650 people. The German empire, with its 41,000,000 odd, has but 13,600 doctors, or one for 3,000 inhabitants. At first sight, therefore, it might be thought that Germany is the place for good, large practices. Obviously, however, it would be necessary to take into consideration the normal condition of health among the Germans. Austro-Hungary, it seems has rather more than our population, and considerably less than our number of medical men. Its population is nearly 36,000,000, and it has something under 14,500 doctors, or one to every 2,500 people. The Celestial empire, unfortunately, does not figure in the list. It would be very interesting to know how many of the easy-going, simple-living Chinese one doctor can suffice for, aided ’by the signs of the zodiac and various potent charms. Nor have we any facts bearing on the Russian empire, where it is to be feared of late that medical and surgical skill have been at a rather distressing premium. France seems to be scarcely so well supplied with medical strength as we are. The population is something over 33,000,000, and their medicos about 20,000, or one for every 1,800 or so of their population. But of all the countries on the face of the earth of which we have knowledge in these matters, the United States would seem to be the most teeming with the disciples of Esculapius. With a population mustering some 45, - 000,000, the Yankees have no less than 62,383 doctors, or one for 700 people. This, it will be seen, is about two-and-a-half times the relative strength of the profession in France, and three-and-a-half times that of the Austro-Hungarian empire. Whether that country has an over-supply, or whether the others are wofully neglected in this matter, we cannot say, but it would seem as thongh one or the other alternative must be the case.