Dr. Pinckney, an able writer, formerly on the editorial staff of the AMA, has written an unusual book in which he points out to laymen that of late many physicians have drifted into a number of unfortunate habits, which cause medical care to be more expensive than it need be. In this book, the idea is to show laymen how, if they "know the ropes," they can save themselves money in a doctor's office and in a hospital.
For instance, today if after some futile treatment a patient demands a diagnosis, he expects to be sent into a hospital for many tests and x-ray films, many of them ordered more or less decerebrately by an intern. The doctor seems to forget that hospitalization is not necessary, and it adds greatly to the patient's expense. At a place like the Mayo Clinic, all but stretcher patients stay in a hotel or