Posted to Podiatry ONLINE Newsflash 7/24/2000

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LETTERS
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From: Wayne Tucker
New Zealand Podiatrist
Subj: Dr Wolfe

Dr. Rosenblatt makes several excellent points in his letter to the
Attorney General of Montana. In other countries, perhaps even in
other States of the good 'ol US of A, the actions taken by Dr Wolfe
would have been greeted with total acclamation. He might even
be awarded a citation for courage.

Let's hope the Attorney General of Montana has the gumption to
stop this ridiculous action.

I think every society is better off when individuals are prepared to
help those in need. In this part of the world, various organizations
run First Aid courses to a fairly advanced stage to ensure as many
people as possible can help in the event of an emergency. If legal
action such as is being contemplated in Montana were taken here,
it would jeopardize a crucial part of our civil defense plans. My
best wishes to Dr Wolfe and the doers of common sense.

P.S. Alan, unfortunately in NZ we are not recognized as Doctors,
but thanks for converting me to a DPM!

Wayne Tucker, Podiatrist
bronwayn@ihug.co.nz
New Zealand.
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From: Elliot Udell, DPM
Subj: Dr. Wolf, Dateline Report and Everyone's Safety

Another option might be to call 911 have them patch into the
emergency medical department of the local hospital and have the
Emergency Medical people allow you to dispense the nitro. That
way you are indeed being a good Samaritan and are not making a
general medical decision on your own.

The issue of Good Samaritanism goes beyond Podiatry - Medical
scope of practice issues. Prior to Good Samaritan laws being
passed in New York State, if an MD rendered medical care to an
accident victim without having his or her full battery of medical
equipment on hand, that doctor could be sued for medical mal -
practice. Now, thank heavens, any doctor or any other human
being can render emergency life saving care without worrying
about the consequences.

I do have one further question however that you might want to
raise with your local podiatry board. If a patient did forget his nitro
and was having a cardiac episode, can another patient in the
waiting room lend him a nitro pill in an emergency???

Elliot Udell, DPM
Elliotu@aol.com
Hicksville, New York____________________________