Night Medical Service
SCANDALOUS FACTS
We are publishing below an open letter from our friend Mr. Léon Dufour to the Mayor of Saint-Maur.

Mr. Mayor,
May I be permitted to bring to your attention and knowledge an event that, until now, may never have occurred, but which surpasses in imagination anything that can be recounted.
Here is the fact: A very close relative of mine, Mrs. Dallemagne, living at 105 Avenue Marainville, in Saint-Maur, who had been ill for some time, was suddenly struck by a stroke and an attack of paralysis on the night of February 16th to 17th, at approximately 11:00 p.m. We sought out three doctors in the immediate vicinity of the town hall, but were unable to obtain the services of any of them. We then contacted the police station, and were simply told that the police station was not qualified to requisition a doctor; all they could do was transport the patient to the hospital. This was not, in my opinion, a quick solution in such a serious case.
During the entire process, which lasted no less than two hours, and until 10:00 a.m. the following morning, when the family doctor arrived, my relative remained without any care other than that provided by those around her. This care, as you can imagine, was ineffective in such a serious condition, which always requires the immediate presence of a doctor. Perhaps we could have saved her if a doctor had been present.
I believe it is lamentable to see such events occur in the very center of a town like Saint-Maur, supposedly so well organized and well administered. I dare hope, Mr. Mayor, that if you cannot track down the culprits and apply the sanctions this offense deserves, it may be within your power to organize a night medical service, if one does not exist, or to have it closely monitored if it already exists, in order to prevent the recurrence of such scandalous events, which are caused only by ill will, lack of organization, and, above all, lack of supervision.
In the hope that the events described above will attract your careful attention, Yours faithfully, Mr. Mayor,

Léon Dufour.
33, avenue Beaurepaire.
Saint-Maur.

P.S. What we must not forget to inform you is that none of the doctors we sought out showed up, even simply to apologize, as is customary. The doctor who came to provide first aid was the family's doctor, who lives in Champigny.
The reported incident is simply scandalous; it concerns the entire population of Saint-Maur.
Our Director, Mr. Salomon Hirsch, had requested, a long time ago, the reorganization of the night medical service.
Mr. Marin promised... And, as always, didn't keep!

General medicine provision in Greater Paris in relation to the resident population, a map to download