Congratulations to Editor Dr. Prousky and the International Board and welcome to the new International Journal of Naturopathic Medicine. I hope that for the sake of their patients many of whom they share, this will improve the relationships between physicians in Natural Medicine and in Allopathic Medicine. Since I have come to know more accurately what naturopathic physicians do and how their patients respond it is my wish that this journal might lead one day to a universal physicians degree which would have its sub divisions, its specialties. All physicians would go to the same medical schools, would receive the same basic training in the art and science of medicine and would have the option of specializing in various aspects of therapeutics such as allopathic medicine, and being more expert in the proper use of drugs, or naturopathic medicine, being more expert in the use of nutrition, nutrients, herbs, being more expert in physical manipulation such as chiropractic, massage, physical fitness, more expert in the use of surgery and more expert in the use of energy therapeutics such as acupuncture. For we are all allowed to practice our professions because we all have the same end in mind, the beneficial treatment of our patients, the restoration of health and the protection of the public. It is very unlikely that this will ever come about.

A. Hoffer MD PhD FRCP