October, 1954. P H Y S I O T H E R A P Y Page Seven CONFERENCE TH E N ineteenth Conference o f the Society was held at Kimberley from O ctober 9th— 11th and was attended by sixteen delegates, representing every B ranch in the country, and by a num ber o f o th er members o f the Society. The Conference was opened by D r. J. G . Collins, President o f the South African Medical Association. He gave a most amusing speech, and assured us o f the recog­ nition we now receive in the field o f rehabilitation and the im portant part which we have to play. H e also attributed many flattering, but essential, qualities to the make-up o f a good physiotherapist. Apart from many hours spent on discussion o f the Society’s past achievements and future plans, Branch resolutions and other projects, we heard a most interesting lecture from Miss Blair on the latest m ethods and tech­ niques o f muscle testing and stim ulation. M rs. Reynolds, o f the N orthern Cape Branch, kindly provided a patient for us to see these methods put into practice. This was an extremely informative lecture, and proved how valuable it is to include talks and discussion o f our w ork at the Conference. It is to be hoped we shall slowly be able to extend the scope and num ber o f lectures in years to come. Mr. H. K retschmer, o f M edical D istributors, kindly showed us some o f his latest equipm ent, and provided interesting literature for us to read about the apparatus and their uses. The U ltrasonic machine which he showed us aroused particular interest, as did a simplified form of neck traction which can be used for home treatm ents. However, it was not all work, and a magnificent pro­ gramme o f entertainm ent had been arranged by o u r hosts, members o f the N orthern Cape Branch. This included a civic cocktail party at the City H all, where we were welcomed and entertained by the D eputy M ayor, followed by a delightful braaivleis given at the home o f M r. and Mrs. Henry. We were taken to see the Big Hole, where apart from the Hole itself, we saw most interesting photographs and relics o f early Kimberley during the “ diam ond rush.” The de Beer dogs entertained us to a fascinating display o f their training and its miraculous results, and in a more professional vein, most interesting visits were paid to the School for Physically H andicapped at D iskobolos and to the Helen Bishop O rthopaedic Home. O ur thanks m ust go to the N orthern Cape Branch and to Kimberley itself for wonderful hospitality, which included accom m odation fo r certain o f the delegates, a most efficient taxi service, m anned by B ranch members,- and quantities o f food and drink which threatened often to distract us from the business o f Conference! Sincere thanks, too, to Miss Smith, our p art time Secretary, who spent many hours preparing reports for Conference, and will have to spend many more hours sorting out the vast and complicated discussions which took place. All members o f the Society will receive the minutes o f the Conference in due course. These are the main points o f the resolutions which were passed and will be carried o u t by the C entral Executive C om m ittee:— (1) T hat the C onstitution be revised in the next 3 months. (2) T h at the clause “ T hat an outside person, i.e. not necessarily a physiotherapist, could be asked to becpme President o f the South African Society o f Physiotherapists,” stitution. be incorporated in the new Con- (3) T h at the Branches keep 1 0 /- of the A nnual Sub­ scriptions paid by practising and non-practising members, this to take effect from July 1st, 1954. (4) T hat the Society endeavour to place at the disposal of its members a group endowment policy similar to th a t o f the S.A. Nursing Association. (5) T h at the Society should obtain an undertaking that no unregistrable physiotherapist will in future be employed in G overnm ent, Provincial o r private ■ institutions, o r by medical practitioners, and that no one be appointed to a charge post unless registrable as a physiotherapist. (6) T h at a regular register o f practising members be published, together with one o f private practitioners, to be circulated to those interested. (7) T hat the Provincial Authorities be requested to pay the locum fees laid down by the Society. (8) T hat the W .C.A. authorities be asked to continue paym ent o f full fees after thirty treatm ents. (9) T h at the Society encourage the use o f the Journal for the advertisement o f Provincial posts. (10) T hat the Provincial Administrations be asked to use the “ notch” system when employing physiotherapists. (11) T hat efforts be m ade to create a Senior G rade for female physiotherapists in N atal. (12) T h at the fee paid by the W .C.A. for treatm ent of N atives be raised to 10/-. (13) T h at the W.C.A. and M ilitary Pension scale o f fees be raised. (14) T hat Medical Aid fees be raised. (15) T hat Hospital salaries and conditions be investigated arid standardised in all Provinces. (16) T hat an H onorarium o f £60 per annum be paid to the H onorary G eneral Secretary. The following Office Bearers were elected:— Miss S. Oosthuizen. Miss J. Blair. Miss H. Baines. Miss H. Benford. Miss H . Benford & Miss M. Douglas. Miss L. Dyer. Miss H. Baines. Mr. A. Rothberg. Miss M. Emslie, M r. P. Kelly, Miss F. de Bruin, Miss C. B aker . The following members were co-opted at the Central Executive Meeting held on O ctober 13th:— Mrs. M. Levy, Miss S. Levitt, Mrs. S. Bold, Mrs. M. D odds and Miss C. Whiting. President ................. Vice-President ......... Hon. Gen. Secretary Hon, Gen. Treasurer Appointments Bureau.. Editress ................. Assistant Editress Registrar ................. Committee Members .. R ep ro du ce d by S ab in et G at ew ay u nd er li ce nc e gr an te d by th e P ub lis he r (d at ed 2 01 3. )