In order to flourish as a specialty any branch of medicine must meet a real need with a unique service and appeal to persons of ability as a challenging and rewarding career. The people and the profession must believe the particular specialist is really necessary and whatever he offers cannot be done about as well by others. The caliber of man drawn to the specialty will be determined by the skills it requires and the distinction it affords.
At present the bulk of pediatricians are engaged in domestic practice—a form of health supervision among the young. Many pediatricians are not contented with this sort of general practice. There is a growing opinion that pediatrics is losing its appeal and prestige as a medical specialty in the United States, and not entirely because of the marked improvement in child health in this country.
At the same time the vitality of pediatrics