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Marth; 1958̂ _________________________________ P H Y S I O T H E R A P Y ____________________________________ Page Three

Editorial

Physiotherapy and the South A frican B antu

Successful application o f U ltraso n ic  T herapy

General

Branch News

T herapies in C e reb ra l P a lsy

Belgian C onference o f K inesitherapy and Physiotechnique P ro g ra m m e

P a g e  3 

P a g e  4 

P a g e  10

P a g e  13

P a g e  14

P a g e  15

P a g e  16

EDITORIAL

At the meeting o f  the Executive Committee o f the World Confederation o f  Physical Therapy 
held in July, 1957, a letter was read from the 
American Physical Therapy Association, whose 
Hoard o f Directors wished to re-affirm the principles 
discussed in an article by Mrs. H. M . Gault 
“When in Rome . . which appeared in the April,
1957, Journal o f  the Chartered Society o f  Physio- 

^herapy.

In this article Mrs. Gault emphasized how  im­
portant it was for Physiotherapists from abroad to 
net in accordance with the codes and conventions 
°l Physiotherapy Societies o f  the countries in 
which they chose to work. This is so important 
"i maintaining pleasant relationships between those 
whose home country it is and those who are 
virtually guests in the country, be it for a long or 
short period. Two salient examples o f  thoughtless­
ness shown by visiting physiotherapists are the 
ailure to join the Society or A ssociation o f  the 

country, and the tendancy to stay only as long in 
fo^ r,0S.'t'0n as suits them, w ith no consideration 
or their new colleagues, and thus causing un­

necessary disorganisation and work for permanent 
members o f the staff.

A s regards joining the Society or A ssociation o f 
that country, it is surely unnecessary to point out 
all the benefits gained by so doing. These Societies, 
like yours in South Africa and the Chartered 
Society in London, concern themselves with pro­
fessional standards, salaries and working conditions, 
all o f  which affect the visiting physiotherapist. 
Thus it is only just that the newcomer should join 
such a society immediately on arrival.

South African Physiotherapists are tending to 
travel abroad more and more; Great Britain, 
Canada and America being the favourite countries 
in which to work and to gain further experience. 
This enthusiasm and interest in work abroad is an 
admirable thing, but it must not be forgotten that 
when abroad, one is acting as an unofficial am­
bassador. The newcomer’s behaviour and the 
impression left behind helps or hinders those 
countrymen who follow  at a later date. Consider­
ation, adaptability and willingness to serve for a 
reasonable term in any one position will make the 
visitor welcom e in all countries and create a good  
fellowship between co-workers from abroad and at 
home.

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