Linoleic Acid in Multiple Sclerosis

SIR,-I wrote to you last year (31 August, p. 581) drawing attention to the urgent need to establish an Association of District Community Physicians. Such an association was formed in London on 7 February 1975 and I warmly welcome its inauguration. A situation now exists in which there is a meeting of regional medical officers, an Association of Area Medical Officers, and an Association of District Conmunity Physicians, and it is being said that the specialists in community medicine in child health, socal services, and information services may be establishing their own small groups. Next it will be the health care planners who will do the same thing. The time is now ripe for the next move. Before it is too late and the new specialty of community medicine is irrevocably shattered into factions, those in office in these new organizations should meet together to negotiate the formation of one single Society of Specialists in Community Medicine which would have within it each of the distinct sections which have been formed. Such a combination of common and specialized interests would be a much more successful and powerful representation of the specialty, giving effective voice as appropriate to its collective and individual needs. At least one other health management team profession has had the vision to do this. It is suggested that the chairmen of these new organization,s should take the initiative in getting in touch with one another to arrange a meeting in the near future to discuss what could be achieved along these lines. Might the Faculty of Community Medicine act as a catalyst?-I am, etc.,