The Teaching of Tropical Medicine in the United States
This subject demands consideration from several points of view:
- I.The education of the present-day practising physician.
- II.The education of the present generation of medical students.
- III.The special training of the medical personnel of the fighting forces.
- IV.The education of future generations of medical students.
- V.The training of medical personnel for civilian service in tropical countries.
Although there is some overlapping of interests, both the conditions that necessitate action and the action that should be taken under each of these headings are different. It will, therefore, be best to consider each case separately.
I. EDUCATION OF THE PRESENT-DAY PRACTISING PHYSICIAN In the immediate future and for several years after the war, practising physicians in this country will certainly encounter many instances of tropical disease among returned personnel of the fighting forces and among civilians whom the war has taken into tropical countries. There is also a considerable danger that new infections and new strains of established infections may be introduced into this country by returning service and civilian personnel.