The president of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists charged here Friday that many mental defectives are in insane asylums today "because a metabollic disease was not recognized at an early stage." Dr. Robert Coon, of Burlington, Vt, said "this deviation from normal is at a molecular level.
"That's why I believe molecular pathology is so important,*' added the genial pathologist. "By helping us understand the structure of the molecule involved, molecular pathology helps us understand more about a disease and how to treat it." Dr. Coon then referred to a theory on schizophrenia which has been advanced by Dr. Robert G. Heath, head of the psychiatry department of the Tu-lane University Medical School.
CITES SCHIZOPHRENIA "According to Dr. Heath's theory, there's something in the blood of schizophrenics which is responsible for the schizophrenics' mental condition," explained the pathologist. "Well, if this theory is correct, it's up to the pathologists to make available the tests necessary to detect such a condition,"
Dr. Coon was in New Orleans to attend the joint interim meeting of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, the College of American Patholo-
gists and the Louisiaan Pathology Society.
Interviewed between convention sessions at the Louisiana State University MedicT
he spoKe in glowing terms of the pathologist of the future.
"I think I can safely say that the pathologist is way out front in terms of continuing education," added the Vermont
physician. "As you know, continuing education for the doc-
tor is one of today's hottest topics. If a physician doesn't keep abreast of the new techniques he will be left far behind."
PRAISES WORKSHOPS Dr. Coon said he is extremely proud of the workshops now being carried on as part of the present conference in New Orleans.
"These workshops constitute a unique part of this meeting,")
he explained. "At these workshops, pathologists from all over the country are getting together in small groups of from six to 20 to learn new techniques. We are teaching each other how to advance."
The pathologist said better training is drastically needed for those who work in hospital laboratories.
"Louisiana State University Medical School has an outstanding program in medical technology," he added.
TESTS HELD VITAL
Dr. Coon predicted that the future will bring increasing specialization among medical technologists. He said some of these technologists will be adept at chemistry, some at bacteriology, others at hematology.
The visiting physician said the pathologist's greatest hope ■or the future is to develop "the finest and most precise tests possible with which to detect disease,"
Also on hand for tfte conference, scheduled to last through Saturday, is Dr. Albert McQuown, of Baton kouge, vice-president of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. Saturday's featured speaker will be Dr. Edward R. Annis of Miami, president of the American Medical Association. PHOTO: DR. ROBERT COON (left), of Burlington, VT, president of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, chats with Dr. Albert McQuown of Baton Rouge, vice-president of the society, between sessions of the joint interim meeting of the ASCP, the College of American Pathologists and the Louisiana Pathology Society at the Louisiana State University School of Medicine.
