Certain Human Failings And Social Medicine Aside from the social theories behind controversies about socialized medicine, there are certain practical aspects to the problem that have drawn little attention here in the United States but have come to light in Britain where the experiment is in full flower. Opponents of the plans to provide all out medical aid to everyone frequently point out the expensive aspect of the program as experienced in England where wigs, false teeth and eyeglasses are part of the service. There is no doubt that these accessories to socialized medicine would cost vast sums of money if such a program should extend to the United States. But there is another expenditure that might become even more costly although not to be measured in exact terms of dollars and cents. That is the great loss of time and talent of doctors that would be brought about by the imaginary ailments of thousands of people who would haunt the waiting rooms of clinics. Such a phase of socialized medicine is already being noted in Britain where the press has pointed out the need for public education to prevent or cut down this continual running to the doctor with trifling or nonexistent ailments. No community or nation can afford to waste its medical time and talent in such a manner. In relation to public service and mass psychology, the medical profession has its own particular problem. Even under current conditions the vast number of people who visit the offices of physicians to talk about themselves, their aches and their personal problems is alarming. They are charged for the time thus wasted. If such a service were provided free the result is obvious. The harm extends even further than this waste of doctors time. The system would thus, in spite of any good intentions on the part of medical men, fail to provide adequate assistance and advice for those who actually need medical attention. It would mean, no matter how much a doctor would desire to give personal attention to his patients, a mechanical, hurried, clinical mass production line. To prevent these evils would require a long and intense educational campaign. It would almost require a change in human nature. It would certainly mean the development of a hard boiled, impersonal army of doctors who would have slight resemblance to our old family physicians upon whom Americans have depended for many years and have looked to for help in time of emergency and comfort in time of crisis.