AN EARNEST PLEA

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 247, 17 September 1929, Page 3

AN EARNEST PLEA

BY HOSPITAL BOARD MEMBERS. FAITH IN CHIROPRACTICS. An earnest plea that more recognition bo given the work of chiropractors on nehalf of suffering humanity was made at the monthly meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Board, yesterday afternoon, by a member, Mr F. G. Ryder, who actuated by liis own experiences, declared that the service was one which would do much to alleviate sickness and disease. Mr Ryder cited a number of cases in sup port of his contention. Tile chairman stated that the hoard had no power to appoint any specialist. in bringing the matter forward Mr Ryder had no ulterior motive, but wished to assist iu breaking down the prejudice held by the medical profession against chiropractics. Never in liis life was he keener on a subject than on chiropractics, said Mr Ryder. It was not from theory, hut front -practice, not only so far as he was concerned, but also others. He had sent twenty-five cases for treatment and only a few failures liad been recorded.

His first introduction to chiropractics was through his son, who was suffering from insomnia, said Mr Ryder, it might seem ridiculous, but after the first interview, he received anight’s rest, the nerve which was causing the trouble being adjusted. The second occasion was when the speaker had neuritis, and that was adjusted without tile leg even being seen, through nerve control. Next abdominal trouble and muscular rheumatism were rectified. That was his own experience. Another man whom the speaker had sent to a chiropractor had returned in three days delighted with the results. Mr Ryder stated that ho could trace the results in twenty-five cases who dealt with chiropractors. He liad no axe to grind in the matter, but lie had implicit confidence in the chiropractors. He liad no axe to grind in the matter, but lie had implicit confidence in the chiropractors. It would be a surprise for many to learn that upwards of _ one hundred medical men in the United States had given up the profession and gone in tor chiropractics. All his life, stated the speaker, he had suffered from backache through a slightly disjilaced vertibra, and, while it had not been eliminated altogether, it was certainly better since he had undergone chiropractic treatment. It was not difficult to understand that a qualified chiropractor completed his course quickly. He was just as closely acquainted with the details of tho anatomy as a qualified doctor, but ho did not have to study surgery, medicine, or Latin, as he dealt with the root of evil, the spine. Dealing with ono particular case in New Zealand, Mr Ryder stated that he had been attended without success, by four members of the medical profession. Tho chiropractic adjustment was mado with complete success, and the speaker would bring before the board the man who was treated. There were four diseases in particular at present being cured by chiropractors where the medical profession had never been known to affect a cure. Ihey were sugar diabetes, creeping paralysis, asthma and constipation. Mr Ryder stated that he was impressed with the science, which was unknown thirty years ago. Since that period it had had a tremendous battle against the medical profession and the Press, but there were 10,000 chiropractors practising throughout the world. One of the factors influencing public opinion against chiropractics was that people were afraid to admit they were obtaining relief from a chiropractor for fear of being ridiculed, or offending tho medical profession, ill- Ryder submitted X-ray photographs in support of liis contention regarding tho influence of chiropractics on tho spinal column. The suggestion was advanced by Mr Ryder that tho board should submit a remit to the Hospital Boards’ Association that the president of the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association be invited to address the conference. While congratulating Mr Ryder on his honesty of purpose in bringing tho matter forward, Mr It. L. C. Aitcliison supported the attitude of the medical profession, and strongly opposed the proposal. Chiropractics might have achie/ed results in isolated cases, ho said. Mr G. P. Catley stated that it was strange that of all those who had claimed to have received benefits from chiropractics few would come forward in tho face of public opinion to cite their case. The chairman stated that every member of the board appreciated the keen enthusiasm shown by Mr Ryder in bringing tho matter forward. He did not know that it would benefit anybody for the president of the Chiropractors’ Association to address the board. He was not in a position to pass an opinion on the matter, but it was a remarkable thing if the medical profession could not diagnose just as well as the chiropractor. The Hospital Board was, however, not the medical profession. There was no reason why an address should not be delivered to the Hospital Boards’ Association conference. The opinion was expressed by Mr Ryder that there would not be onethird the number of inmates in tho sanatoria to-day if they had been under the care of chiroprators. The chairman stated that if chiropractics were all that they were claimed to bo, it was singular that no recognition had been given by the medical profession. Mr Mansford stated that whatever opinions might be held in chiropractics, if the board interfered with tho matter so far as it concerned the medical profession, there would be trouble. He did not favour sending any resolution forward. . . Filially, a resolution was moved by Mr Ryder that the president of the Chiropractors’ Association bo asked to address the Palmerston North Hospital Board, and that an invitation be extended to representatives of the medical profession to be present. Tins was carried.