O c t o b e r ] ^ P H Y S I O T H E R A P Y Page One EDITORIAL H E future of physiotherapists in this country hangs 1 jn tiie balance and may well be vitally affected the Medical A uxiliaries B ill which is shortly to be tted Yet the fight for their rights and acceptance ^ q u a li f i e d and responsible persons in the medical ^ o rld is still left to a han d ful of hard working enthusiasts. The m ajority of physioterapists are quick to con­ demn the actions of our Society, and often to criticise in a c y n ic al way w hat they consider, through their lack of knowledge, to be inaction on the Society’s part Perhaps some of the blame rests w ith Branch organisers who do not seem always to keep their members in touch w ith the activities o f the Society, though reports of Central Executive meetings are sent to them, but as a mere han d ful of members is usually present at Branch meetings it is not surprising that Branch organisers become discouraged. Let this be an appeal to every physiotherapist in South A frica to jo in our Society and offer support for the results it is so m anfully trying to achieve. Success can only be brought about by unity, and by the accept­ ance of the Society as the body which truly represents the opinions of physiotherapists throughout the country. This can only happen if each indiv idual w ill accept the responsibility of his position as a pro- . fessional person and realise that the future of physio­ therapy can be m oulded now by the physiotherapist. I f the present apathy continues we shall find ourselves in the position of mere technicians w ithout our own controlling body, spending time and money on acquiring knowledge which we shall never be able-to use. The South A fric a n Society of Physiotherapists should have the same status and power as the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy in England, which has fo ug ht so many successful battles for its members and achieved a position of respect and authority in the medical world. A sim ilar position can only be arrived at in South A fr ic a if we are determined that it should be so, and are prepared to devote some o f our time and interest to this end. N ow is the time for physiotherapy in this country to take on a new lease . of life. Miss Crosby - An Appreciation By D R . T . D R E Y E R , D e p a r t m e n t o f P h y s ic a l M e d i c i n e , J o h a n n e s b u r g G e n e r a l H o s p i t a l . It was with real regret that the Physiotherapy D e ­ partment of the General H ospital said good-bye to tlieir “chief,” Miss J . Crosby, on the 27th August. Miss Crosby was in charge of the D epartm ent for 31 years and saw it grow fro m small beginnings to the large and busy Departm ent that it is to-day. It was mainly due to her efforts that conditions of pay and service o f physiotherapists on the staff of the General Hospital were improved, and up to her last day she was still fighting their cause. Present and past staff owe her a debt of gratitude for her untiring support. The University of the W itwaters- rand School of Physiotherapy also owes m uch to Miss Crosby for all her interest and help. W e would I'ke to thank her most sincerely for her co-operation >n the training of students. Miss Crosby, at present in N atal, is still President °« the S.A.S.P., and I am sure that all members of that -Society m ust be aware of all she has achieved ■or them and for physiotherapy in this country. W e "°P e to have her continued interest and help. ,, I am sure I am voicing the opinion not only of be Hospital ■ and University Staff, but o f all who ^ a s s o c ia t e d with her, in wishing her every success ncl happiness in her future undertakings. A n apology m ust be made to tbose w ho did not receive the J u ly issue of P H Y S I O T H E R A P Y . U n ­ fo rtun a te ly alm ost all the copies w aiting to be posted, together w ith the b ulk of Jo u rn a l records, were de­ stroyed in a fire a t the house of the form er E d itor, M iss W h itta k e r . A s sbe bas left the co untry it is im ­ possible to assess exactly w h at was destroyed by the fire. F u rth e r apologies m ay therefore be due for the omission from this num ber o f the Jo u rn a l of any articles, etc., w hich should have appeared, notices of books a w a itin g review, and new advertisem ents. It w ould be appreciated if these omissions could be b ro ug ht to the notice o f the present E d ito r for p u b ­ lication in the next issue. Members are urged to let the E d itor have any items of news, whether social or professional, which m ight interest readers. Articles, and letters for publication on any relevant topic will also be welcomed. A ll communications should be addressed to the E ditor, P H Y S I O T H E R A P Y , Departm ent of Physiotherapy, General Hospital, Johannesburg. 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. )