MEDICINE IN RUSSIA
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] Sue,—In your issue of June 8th Dr. Edith Stanunerskill, reviewing the newly-published book Red Medicine, makes the statement " it seems almost incredible that before the Revolution the mass of the people were entirely without medical aid." This must be a mistake, as according to the factory laws of the Imperial Government every industrial concern employing above 500 workpeople had to have its owe hospital with qualified medical assistance. Firms employing below 500 workpeople had to contribute proportionately towards the upkeep of town or zemstvo hospitals where medical service was available for their employees. The foregoing regulations, which were very strictly controlled by the factory inspectors, applied to the industrial population. So fax as the peasantry, forming 82 per cent, of the popula- tion, was concerned, medical assistance was rendered by the zernstvos ; each district, divided according to the number of inhabitants, had its own hospital and doctors. From per- sonal experience I know that both types of hospital were .excellent.—I am, Sir, &c., H. H. CHARNOCK. Travellers' Club, Pall Malt, S.W. I.
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