CHIROPRACTIC.

Shannon News, 24 December 1929, Page 4

CHIROPRACTIC.

AS AID TO MEDICINE. ADDRESS TO HOSPITAL BOARD. Chiropractic, what it is and what it accomplishes, formed the subject of an address to the members of the Palmerston North Hospital Board on Monday by Mr. J". A. Scott, of Christchurch, president of the New Zealand and Australian Chiropractors' Association.

Mr. Scott made the visit to Palmerston North as a result of a desire expressed by Mr. F. J. Ryder (Otaki), a member of the Board, who has on many occasions voiced the opinion that chiropractic should be a part of treatment available at hospitals. Mr. Scott told the Board that chiropractic was based on sound anatomia, and physiological principles, its resuits were notable and it would be in the best interests of health if arrange ments were made for its introduction into hospitals. Chiropractic was not quackery. The speaker, with the aid of a chart, explained the nature of the spinal column and how it acted as the switch-board of the nervous system. From openings between each vertebrae emerged the nerves, branching to the various organs and parts of the body. Should there be a slight displacement of a vertebrae, a nerve got pinched and there followed some disturbance in the organ which that particular nerve fed, with life-giving power. With an aluminium replica of the spine, Mr. Scott explained how this could happen. The 'results obtained from chiropractic were certainly remarkable and people were getting . well under the treatment who could 'not get better in any other way. The speaker instanced how the chiropractor' had relieved him permanently of nasal catarrh. Among nis own remarkable cures had been a iad of St. Vitus dance and a Palmerston North young man of diabetes. Mr. ocott instanced other cures elfected.

In 35 years, the system had grown Lo 20,000 practitioners and over a million patients. Mr. Scott added that the science had a big following in New Zealand including a recent member of Cabinet, university . professors, businessmen and/ thousands of the rank and file. Hospitals were built for the public by the public and a certain portion of the people wanted the art introduced into the institutions. At present they were denied this privilege, and the Palmerston North Hospital Board had made a practical move in the matter. If it finally succeeded in. introducing chiropractie into the hospitals of New Zealand, it would make such as'massage. Chiropractors had a credit.

Mr. Campbell Aitchison asked if chiropractic was recognised as a science outside American colleges. Mr. Scott said, the art was well recognised- in Canada, __ where it was taught in college. There was also a college in London. It was discovered in America and was a young science. Mr. Aitchison also asked if it was accepted by any hospital system outside America..

Mr. Scott replied in the negative. Chiropractic was only a young, science. It had taken- about 20 years to get recognition but had made remarkable headway. One would not expect it to be admitted to hospitals - during the •early years of its existence. It would only get into hospitals as medical men began to recognise "the art as a valuable auxiliary, just as was massage. Mr. iJ. K. Hornblow (chairman): The medical profession only objects to lay people coming out and starting a business without hiving had a proper training. Medical students already got''chiropractic training. Mr. Scott: No they don't. They know the functions of the nerves but chiropractic goes a step further. The chiropractor, he contended, received a much more' comprehensive training than those engaged in any allied art, such as massage. Chiropractors had * .full training for what they w,ere called upon to do and if patients in hospitals wanted adjustments, they should be allowed to get them. . To Mr. 0. McElroy, Mr. Scott said chiropractors had to pass stiff examinations before getting a diploma. There were even State examining boards in U.S.A.

In replying to Mr. J. A. Nash, the speaker' stated that there were a few per.-:ons in New Zealand practising chiropractic who did not hold diplomas, legislation would not stop unqualified persons starting; it could only discourage them.

Mr. Hornblow asked Mr. Scott if he had come across any cases where chiropractic had resulted in patients getting vorso. He knew of a boy who, in the hands of a chiropractor, had been taken almost to the point of death and was only saved by the intervention of a medical man. The trouble had been T.B. of the spine. Mr. Scott said chiropractors absolutely refused to take in hand T.B. of the spine and if a chiropractor had accepted such a case, he had been guilty of a grave dereliction of duty. There were diseases which were not amendable to the art —that was recognised—but it took time to discover its limits. Mr. G. A. Monk asked if the Chiropractor;,' Association had sought statutory recognition.

Mr. Scott said the matter had been considered fully but thero were two difficulties. It would not prevent an, unqualified man from setting up and secondly, registration involved the formation of a board on which, if precedent were followed, would consist of a certain number of medical men. Unfortunately, chiropractors and the medical men were not a happy family at the present time but the number of doctors who were recognising the value of the art was increasing and he instanced cases where doctors had sent patients for spinal treatment. How-ever,-if the movement which the Palmerston North Hospital Board had set going bore fruit, the association would

do its part in the matter of getting legislation.' Mr. Monk moved a hearty vote of ■■ thanks to Mr. Scott, who had cleared up : a great many matters on which there had been doubt. For medical men and chiropractors to work apart was not the best thing for the public. There should be no condemnation, by either side without reason. If any benefits could be secured from the art, then it.should be recognised. Mr. Scott had answered questions, in a very line ■manner. Mr. Ryder seconded. The chairman endorsed the remarks of Mr. Monk, adding that if on some occasion he became unwell and his doctor could do no good, he might think about going to a chiropractor or-.-. . . A member: An undertaker. (Laughter). Mr. Horn-blow: jSTo. I was going to say a Christian Scientist or even Ratana. Mr. Monk: You shouldn't make fun 6f it. * ' Mr. Hornblow: I don't want to do that but I have heard of wonderful recoveries from faith healing". Often it was a question of confidence by the patient. Mr. Scott: Some cases are imaginary but the cases I quoted to-day were not so. They were all very grievous ones. I hope I have not sown seed on stony ground.