Sia,—May I comment on the penultimate paragraph of Mr. Geoffrey
Murray's article (osteopathic sec- tion) of your issue of October 28?
He states that the younger school of osteopaths 'are keen to align osteopathic practice with orthodox physiology because they hope that this will help them to obtain recognition.'
This may well give your readers the impression that there is some sort of splinter group amongst the younger members of the profession, and that their endeavours to interpret the clinical effects of their work in the light of scientific facts are made for the sole purpose of obtaining recognition. This is not so. All qualified osteopaths try to rationalise their procedures in this way in order to satisfy themselves that the results they are aiming at, and obtaining, are capable of scientific explanation.
One further small point: the osteopath in common with certain other types of practitioner is entitled to issue 'health certificates which are recognised by the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance for the purpose of sickness benefit.' It is implicit in the Act that such certificates may be accepted at the discretion of the Ministry of Pensions and National Health officials to whom they are addressed.—Yours faithfully,
R. A. OAKSHOTT
Secretary to the Registrar The General Council and Register of Osteopaths Ltd., 16 Buckingham Gate, SW 1
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