Report on seventh International Congress of Military Medicine and Pharmacy and meetings of the Permanent Committee, Madrid, Spain, May 29-June 3, 1933 / by William Seaman Bainbridge.

  • Bainbridge, William Seaman, 1870-1947.
Date:
[1934]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Report on seventh International Congress of Military Medicine and Pharmacy and meetings of the Permanent Committee, Madrid, Spain, May 29-June 3, 1933 / by William Seaman Bainbridge. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    92/104 (page 80)
    It is impossible to express to any one individual or group of in¬ dividuals appreciation for all that was done to make the Seventh International Congress of Military Medicine and Pharmacy the mem¬ orable one that it was. However, special mention must be made of Col. Augustin Van Baumberghen who, from the very inception of these Congresses has been a most active and efficient member of the Per¬ manent Committee. It was largely through his efforts that the Congress at Madrid was such a success. The entire Local Committee had a most difficult task, and exerted itself to the utmost so that there would be perfection throughout. The proverbial Spanish hospitality, kindness and gracious willingness to serve the guests within the borders of the land, were extended to every delegate by all with whom we came in touch, and helped lighten the strenuous hours of work. The Seventh Congress is a thing of the past but the results of the scientific sessions will be of distinct value in the coming years in the event of future combat and during the days of peace. The cementing of friendships among the medico-military leaders of the countries of the world will be an added factor toward a sympathetic and under¬ standing appreciation of the viewpoints of peoples of different na¬ tionalities, and thus, it may be, we have taken a step further along a path leading toward the day when all nations will be at peace with one another. MONACO CONVENTION The report of Col. Louet, delegate from Monaco, to his sovereign, Prince Louis II, on the Madrid Congress, awakened in the latter a lively interest in the work that has been done and is being planned. Of particular appeal were the three points that had been mapped out for study in connection with possible future war: 1. The creation of medical districts 2. Ratification of the Geneva Convention 3. Protection of the civilian population In order to lead to a realization of these projects, the Prince invited the members of the Permanent Committee and a number of leaders in international law to a week’s conference at his Palace in Monaco, in February 1934. A study commission was formed of those present, having as their objective to lessen the horrors of war. Not limiting itself, like the Geneva Convention, to the protection and care of the wounded and sick troops in battle, and enlarging the principles of The Hague Con¬ ference which formulated means of protection of non-combatants, the