Medicine: Orchids Without Coal

U.S. medical schools last year turned out a record-breaking 5,800 graduates. The effort almost knocked them flat on their backs. Last week many of the schools, admitting that they were in serious financial distress, issued an urgent S.O.S. The presidents of 19 universities embracing the nation's top medical schools* solemnly declared: "We warn our fellow citizens that without their prompt and generous aid, our medical schools . . . cannot be expected to safeguard the future health of American citizens and their children."

Many schools have dropped teachers, cut salaries and medical services, overworking their staffs. Three or four, with costs rising...

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