MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR THE MIDDLE CLASSES

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sm,—Some time ago I had to undergo an operation of a rather serious character. A Harley Street doctor offered to do it for one hundred guineas " or less, should our circumstances not allow us to pay the usual fee," without, however, saying what the reduction would be. He offered, further, to find accomoda- tion for me in a Nursing Home at 10-12 guineas a week. As there was no necessity for having the operation done at once, and as we are neither accustomed to, nor fond of, bargaining, we decided—with regard to our means, which are not unlimited —that I should go to Switzerland, where, as we knew, the medical fees are much lower. And so I went. I had a room to myself in a Nursing Home of about 200 beds. The nursing was first rate and absolutely up to date ; the food was good and carefully cooked ; and I had my own doctor, who is an acknowledged authority. I stayed at the Nursing Home for 18 days, during which time the doctor paid me about sixteen calls.

Switzerland.

£ a.

Nursing Home- London.

18 days' accomodation

At 10 guineas a week 27 Use of operation theatre ..

Anesthetics, medicaments,. .

Dressings .. 17 0

Specialist's fee .. 30 0

105

Practitioner's fee • • 8 0

Rail out (2nd class) 4 10

Rail in (1st class) • • •• 6 0

£65 10 £132

Thus, by going to Switzerland, I saved more than half of the money which I should have been obliged to spend had I undergone the operation in this country. A friend of mine who went to Holland for similar reasons had pretty much the same experience.—I am, Sir, &c., M. L.