§ 25. Mr. NOEL BUXTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in reference to the fact that manipulative treatment is in full swing in the Army under well-known authorities on the subject, he will give the House the names of such authorities, and state the 2019 source of their qualification in manipulative treatment; whether he is aware that in the American school of manipulative treatment, which is known as osteopathy, the course of study and diligent practice considered absolutely essential extends over a period of four years before the qualifying examination can be entered for; and whether, now that manipulative treatment is being freely resorted to in the Army, he will recommend a substantial increase in the number of manipulators available by the employment of others who have been specially trained and have passed qualifying examinations on the subject, and who have offered their services without fees for the cure of wounded soldiers?
§ 28. Sir G. GREENWOODasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can state if the War Office received an offer for services of about 100 Canadian and American experts in manipulative treatment for the help of the wounded; if so, whether the War Office replied that they could not accept this offer; whether he is aware that the gentlemen whose services were offered hold the highest American qualifications in manipulative surgery, known in America as osteopathy; whether the War Office has more of such assistance than it requires; and, if not, whether he can state on what ground the offer was refused?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONSurgeons who have paid special attention to orthopædic surgery are well acquainted with manipulative methods and have them in constant use. Offers, I believe, have been received from time to time, from America and elsewhere, from osteopaths, faith healers, Christian Scientists and others, but they were refused on grounds which I have now frequently stated to the House.
§ Sir G. GREENWOODDo I understand that the hon. Gentleman agrees that the services of about a hundred Canadian and American experts in manipulative treatment were offered? I did not quite catch his answer.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo. I will read the last part of my answer again: "Offers, I believe, have been received from time to time, from America and elsewhere, from osteopaths, faith healers, Christian Scientists, and others, but they were refused on grounds which I have now frequently stated to the House."
§ Mr. PRINGLEDoes the hon. Gentleman class Barker with faith healers and Christian Scientists? Are they in that state of ignorance still?
§ Mr. MacVEAGHIs he aware that these gentlemen own the highest American qualifications?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONAll I know is that we are precluded by law from employing any man as an officer in the Royal Army Medical Corps who is not a registered medical practitioner.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that they have never asked to be employed as recognised doctors or surgeons, but that they only ask to be allowed to go in and assist the surgeons in the hospitals to cure the wounded?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe hon. Member must remember that we have a responsibility to the wounded, and that we must have skilled men in accordance with the recognised test, and there is no place so averse to allowing the employment of unskilled and unqualified surgeons as the House of Commons.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHThey are qualified.
§ Mr. PRINGLEWhat is good enough for a Minister is surely good enough for a soldier.
§ Sir G. GREENWOODWhy did—
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe had better resume the Debate to-morrow.