To the Editors of THE LANCET. SIRS,-Our attention having been called to an article in your issue of the 23rd inst. concerning this company, we beg Tthat you will be good enough to insert this response in your next issue. We emphatically deny your allegation that we "make profits out of the sweating of medical men who voluntarily sell themselves into bondage," for we sweat no 'one, and there are no professional men less fettered than 'those who attend our policy-holders in time of sickness. "

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... vident dispensaries," yoa say, "are all very well, being in the nature of charity," but we are endeavouring, and for mo unworthy or sordid motives, for our shareholders derive no pecuniary benefit from our medical aid branch, to do something for those in whose ears the word "charity" in such a matter is synonymous with degradation and reproach, and to inculcate self-help, self-respect, and thrift in others. This scarcely deserves the appellation of "touting," as some understand the meaning of the word. Our members are, in fact, very largely composed of those who would have, did not the -company collect their contributions in a small weekly sum, to seek hospital or dispensary advice, or failing that run up -doctors' bills which their meagre incomes would never, unfortunately, permit them to pay. How often one hears it said that medical men are the first that people think of calling in, and the last they think of paying ! I The fact is, however, that in nearly every instance it is inability and not indisposition to pay. Such persons and the medical profession at the same time are assisted by this company's system. On the question of payment to our medical officers we have no hesitation in saying that they are as well remunerated by us as by their private practice amongst the same class of people. Our payments to them are higher than they appear on the surface, because we pay for all members on the quarterly lists supplied (in -advance) by us, whether the members continue paying or lapse out during the quarter, as many do from one cau-e and another, and in which latter event they cannot apply for medical attendance. We claim, and most justly, that this company, far from doing a pecuniary injury to the medical profession, assists it very much indeed. I am, Sirs. yours faithfully,