Page 2 P H Y S I O T H E R A P Y September, 1961

E D I T O R I A L

“ HEADS IN THE SAND”

There is hardly one if any m ember o f this Society 
who does not know th a t we are once more pressing 
for legislation by a Bill through Parliam ent for a 
compulsory Register for Masseuse/s and Physio­
therapists. B ut there does seem to be still some con­
fusion am ong o u r members as to the implication of 
such a register.

Physiotherapy in this country is, now as it is in 
m ost countries o f the world, an established and 
proven Science. We have three recognized training 
institutions and enjoy a high standard o f training, 
encourage a strong ethical code and have gained the 
recognition and respect o f the medical profession, 
N A T IO N A L  A L L IE D  LAY BODIES and the 
general public.

You may ask, then why is it necessary to gain 
Governm ent protection o f the nam e “ Physio­
therapy” , which is one of the m ajor implications 
o f a compulsory Register.

One of the m ost im portant reasons arises out of 
our own fault. We are divided in our own ranks, 
some of us are still living with our heads in the 
sand. The false conception th a t if the individual is 
safely making his or her own living, observing all 
the ethical rules and has no or little opposition, the 
rest of the world doesn’t m atter and his or her own 
livelihood is assured.

This C ountry is steeped in superstitions, there is 
an unusually large belief in black magic, and the 
cults, th a t conventional medicine as a whole is 
often thought of with suspicion. It is natural 
therefore th a t South Africa can boast a very high 
proportion o f “ Cults” , and whatever our legislation 
we cannot prevent the public from  supporting them.

W hat we can do is unite and by our strength in 
unity, by publicity and propaganda and by our 
own results in treatm ent, try and educate the public.

One o f the forem ost and im portant ways in which1 
this can be done is to obtain full Government 
recognition and prevent our Science being “ mumbo- 
jum boed” by the practitioners of cults. And 
secondly by issuing and distributing propaganda 
and publicity whenever and wherever possible.

Y ou there with your heads in the sand, you may 
feel safe but, it is not a very stable position. Now 
is your chance to look a t the Sun.

COMPULSORY REGISTRATION
PLEASE RETURN COMPLETED 

FORMS AT ONCE
(See page 8)

C o n t e n t s

Acute Rheumatism— Its Problems and Rehabilitation 

Physiotherapy Treatment o f Rheumatic Fever 

Post Graduate Course, Cape Town 

Abdominal Decompression 

General 

Branch News 

Extracts from Letters 

Students Column

Vacancies ...........................

For Sale

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