Improvement in catheter design aimed at minimizing the risk of embolism would be helpful. WILLIAM A. MCLEISH, MD R. DE GUZMAN, MD
Department of laboratory medicine Ottawa General Hospital Ottawa, Ont.
"Guide for Physicians in Determining Fitness to Drive a Motor Vehicle" To the editor: At the recently concluded Conference of Provincial Ministers Responsible for Motor Vehicle Administration held at Quebec City, Aug. 30, 1978, I was required to report on the changes that were made in the "Guide for Physicians in Determining Fitness to Drive a Motor Vehicle",' published by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). Following my presentation I was asked to convey the deep appreciation of the ministers for the excellent work done by the CMA and its emergency medical services committee, chaired by Dr. W.R. Ghent, in the development of practical medical standards for licensing drivers for the various classes of vehicles. Virtually all the provinces have now adopted the medical standards contained in the guide. This would not have been possible without the efforts and labours of members of the CMA's committee. Other matters relating to medical standards and medical reporting forms were raised by the ministers. I have conveyed these matters to Dr. Lloyd Bartlett (representative for Manitoba on the CMA committee), who will be reporting to the committee at its next meeting. On behalf of the ministers and those of us who are responsible for the day-to-day administration of licensing drivers, I convey to the CMA and members of its committee and staff our very profound appreciation.
Elective induction of labour To the editor: It has recently come to our attention that some pregnant women have been encouraging their physicians to induce labour on a specific date. It appears that this request is due to the promotional activity, supported by the head office in Toronto, of a department store in Calgary: If a pregnant woman can successfully predict the precise date of delivery of her child, she is entitled to the merchandise she has obtained at that store for her child without cost. Approximately 5% of the women who participate in this guessing game deliver on the date they select. It is our opinion that this practice carries a potentially serious risk to the newborn baby when labour is induced too late or too early because of the potential financial "gold mine.. that awaits the fortunate woman who delivers on the selected date. We therefore ask physicians to be vigilant in their assessment of fetal maturity, and make judgements with regard to the necessity for induction based only on medical grounds. JOHN S.R. DEACON, MD
grettably, this cooperation has not been forthcoming in Ontario, where the profession has mounted its "big guns" to prevent a modern act for podiatrists from being passed in Ontario. It is reasonable to suppose that the campaign by the Canadian Medical Association is an outgrowth of that confrontation. To deny podiatrists the modern advances that have been made in podiatry and medicine over the last 30 years is to deny patients their basic right to better care. it is difficult to understand how patients can benefit from this confrontation. The public would be better served by an interprofessional relations committee whose purpose would be to improve the communication and understanding of each profession's role and contribution in the overall care of the patient. The government of Ontario, the Ontario medical profession and the Ontario podiatry profession would do well to look west at what can be achieved with cooperation. K.P. HARDY, DPM
President Canadian Podiatry Association Vancouver, BC
Director, neonatal intensive care unit JOHN PARBOOSINCH, MD
Obstetrician Foothills Provincial General Hospital Calgary, Alta.
Podiatrists mounting provincial lobby campaigns
Obesity: Use of fenfluramine discussed at international symposium in Montreal [correction] An error appeared in the second sentence of the report by M.A. Kasowski (Can Med Assoc J 119:1436, 1978). It should read: "Physicians write approximately a million prescriptions per month for the drug [fenfluraminel, which is marketed under such trade names as Ponderal® and Pondimin®." - Ed.
To the editor: I believe that the podiatrists in British Columbia have a solution to some of the concerns expressed by Dr. J.S. Bennett (Can Med Assoc 1 119: 370, 1978). They have settled for somewhat less autonomy and scope than have many other podiatrists in North America. All the progress that has been made was achieved with the knowledge, guidance and cooperation of P. DYGALA Assistant deputy minister the medical profession. The Cana- Parasitic disease in humans: Motor vehicles branch the extent in Canada Department of Highways dian Podiatry Association acknowl- [correction] Winnipeg, Man. edges the primary role of physicians and welcomes their good council. The in this article, by N.A. Croll and association informs physicians about T.W. Gyorkos (Can Med Assoc J Reference and requires their approval of most 120: 310, 1979), the first entry in 1. Guide for Physicians in Determining of the modern procedures performed Table III should have been "AcariFitness to Drive a Motor Vehicle, rev ed, Can Med Assoc, Ottawa, Dec 1977 under the health care program. Re- asis" rather than "Ascariasis". - Ed.
644 CMA JOURNAL/MARCH 17, 1979/VOL. 120
Department of laboratory medicine Ottawa General Hospital Ottawa, Ont.
"Guide for Physicians in Determining Fitness to Drive a Motor Vehicle" To the editor: At the recently concluded Conference of Provincial Ministers Responsible for Motor Vehicle Administration held at Quebec City, Aug. 30, 1978, I was required to report on the changes that were made in the "Guide for Physicians in Determining Fitness to Drive a Motor Vehicle",' published by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). Following my presentation I was asked to convey the deep appreciation of the ministers for the excellent work done by the CMA and its emergency medical services committee, chaired by Dr. W.R. Ghent, in the development of practical medical standards for licensing drivers for the various classes of vehicles. Virtually all the provinces have now adopted the medical standards contained in the guide. This would not have been possible without the efforts and labours of members of the CMA's committee. Other matters relating to medical standards and medical reporting forms were raised by the ministers. I have conveyed these matters to Dr. Lloyd Bartlett (representative for Manitoba on the CMA committee), who will be reporting to the committee at its next meeting. On behalf of the ministers and those of us who are responsible for the day-to-day administration of licensing drivers, I convey to the CMA and members of its committee and staff our very profound appreciation.
Elective induction of labour To the editor: It has recently come to our attention that some pregnant women have been encouraging their physicians to induce labour on a specific date. It appears that this request is due to the promotional activity, supported by the head office in Toronto, of a department store in Calgary: If a pregnant woman can successfully predict the precise date of delivery of her child, she is entitled to the merchandise she has obtained at that store for her child without cost. Approximately 5% of the women who participate in this guessing game deliver on the date they select. It is our opinion that this practice carries a potentially serious risk to the newborn baby when labour is induced too late or too early because of the potential financial "gold mine.. that awaits the fortunate woman who delivers on the selected date. We therefore ask physicians to be vigilant in their assessment of fetal maturity, and make judgements with regard to the necessity for induction based only on medical grounds. JOHN S.R. DEACON, MD
grettably, this cooperation has not been forthcoming in Ontario, where the profession has mounted its "big guns" to prevent a modern act for podiatrists from being passed in Ontario. It is reasonable to suppose that the campaign by the Canadian Medical Association is an outgrowth of that confrontation. To deny podiatrists the modern advances that have been made in podiatry and medicine over the last 30 years is to deny patients their basic right to better care. it is difficult to understand how patients can benefit from this confrontation. The public would be better served by an interprofessional relations committee whose purpose would be to improve the communication and understanding of each profession's role and contribution in the overall care of the patient. The government of Ontario, the Ontario medical profession and the Ontario podiatry profession would do well to look west at what can be achieved with cooperation. K.P. HARDY, DPM
President Canadian Podiatry Association Vancouver, BC
Director, neonatal intensive care unit JOHN PARBOOSINCH, MD
Obstetrician Foothills Provincial General Hospital Calgary, Alta.
Podiatrists mounting provincial lobby campaigns
Obesity: Use of fenfluramine discussed at international symposium in Montreal [correction] An error appeared in the second sentence of the report by M.A. Kasowski (Can Med Assoc J 119:1436, 1978). It should read: "Physicians write approximately a million prescriptions per month for the drug [fenfluraminel, which is marketed under such trade names as Ponderal® and Pondimin®." - Ed.
To the editor: I believe that the podiatrists in British Columbia have a solution to some of the concerns expressed by Dr. J.S. Bennett (Can Med Assoc 1 119: 370, 1978). They have settled for somewhat less autonomy and scope than have many other podiatrists in North America. All the progress that has been made was achieved with the knowledge, guidance and cooperation of P. DYGALA Assistant deputy minister the medical profession. The Cana- Parasitic disease in humans: Motor vehicles branch the extent in Canada Department of Highways dian Podiatry Association acknowl- [correction] Winnipeg, Man. edges the primary role of physicians and welcomes their good council. The in this article, by N.A. Croll and association informs physicians about T.W. Gyorkos (Can Med Assoc J Reference and requires their approval of most 120: 310, 1979), the first entry in 1. Guide for Physicians in Determining of the modern procedures performed Table III should have been "AcariFitness to Drive a Motor Vehicle, rev ed, Can Med Assoc, Ottawa, Dec 1977 under the health care program. Re- asis" rather than "Ascariasis". - Ed.
644 CMA JOURNAL/MARCH 17, 1979/VOL. 120
