There are many physicians who have failed to meet the demands of what may prove to be a very present and urgent necessity. Since it can be assumed that the newer types of missiles and nuclear blasts threaten devastation of civilian concentrations far removed from any combat area, there is no longer any reason for differentiating between war zones and large cities when it comes to medical preparedness for mass-casualty care. Whether physicians are motivated to action by patriotism, love of humanity, up-holding of their professional oath, or self-preservation, they cannot avoid their responsibilities to become familiar with civil defense activities, for they are the reservoirs of the medical knowledge that must be imparted.