AUSTRALASIAN MASSAGE ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 42, 13 November 1907, Page 4

AUSTRALASIAN MASSAGE ASSOCIATION.

AN IMPORTANT ORGANISATION. The art of massago is little known to tho "man in tho street, but it is really.of very ancient origin. As far back as 3UOO years B.C. it was used in the Far East as a cura,tivo agent, Hcrodicus, who is known as tho founder of medical gymnastics, employed massago in his treatment of patients fiOO years B.C. It was not until early in tho last century, however, that a clearly-douncd system, of manipulations was brought to the aid of medical science. Early in tho nineteenth century, Peter I Henry Ling, 'in Siredcn, originated a system of medical gymnastics and massage, which is acknowledged by tho medical profession to be of great therapeutic value. Ling's efforts to improve the physical'welfare of bis countrymen led to the establishment by. tho Government of two institutions in Stockholm, and at one of ■ these tho Gymnastic Orthopedic Institute, the modern system of massage has been chiefly ' developed. During tho lasttwenty years the scionco has boon steadily growing in tho appreciation of tho medical profession, and this has lod to a demand for thoroughly trained and competent practitioners in massage.. The necessity for improvement 'was apparent when the leading masseurs of Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide- met in 1905, and decided to form an association, their decision meeting with tho approval and'strong support of tho medical profession, The chief : obiects of tho Association wore—'(l) To proi vide a proper system of registration of. recognised masseurs and masseuses; (2) to pro- ; vido a uniform system of training for studonts; (3) and eventually to seek to obtain a Federal Massago Act. i

Having settled the matter of registration of members,.the Council turned its attention to the subject'of a proper courso of training. Dr. J. W. Springthorpo, the president of the association, at tho-first annual meeting held in Sydney last April, during his address said that—" Until twelve months ago, neither tho public nor tho medical profession could place any reliance upon its practitioners a3 a class. Thoro had been no medically recognised standard of training, or examination, or oven of competency. Hero and thoro was one who had gone through the Swedish curriculum. To supply • the demand for extra workers, these and others less qualified-formed.classes. Some required n two years' apprenticeship, other's (tho great majority) wore content with a three months' courso m which all but the actual manipulations, were practically theoretical."

■ The evils' arising from the previous lack of system have been remedied by tho now curriculum. As in other branches of medical and surgical study, the universities and tho public hospitals are now tho only recognised training grounds. This professional training now occupies two, years, rml includes courses in anatomy, dissection, physiology, medical electricity, and medical gymnastics, and at least twelve months' practical work in a recognised hospital. In tho practical arrangement of this rourso tho Association lias reooived most valuable assistanco from such leading medical authorities as Professor , Anderson Stuart, Dean .of tho Faculty- of Medicine, Sydney University; Professor Berry, Professor of Anatomy; Professor Osbomo, Professor of Physiology of tho Melbourne University, and tho co-operation of tho universities and leading hospitals of tho Commonwealth. In Australia all the leading hospitals havo duly appointed masseurs and cloctriccurs attached to thorn, and as tho practico has so much in its favour it should commend itself to tho trustees of hospitals in Now Zealand: The causes which rendorod necessary tho formation of such an Association in Australia are just as activo in the Dominion, but it is satisfactory to noto that,. with a view to establishing a Npw '.Zealand branch; Advisory Boards have been formed in Duncdin, Wellington, and Ch'ristc'hurch; -and' February 28, 1908, has beoft fixod as the date ;aftor which no ono.will bo registered unless trained according" to the standard set by the 1 Association.

. Mr/Royd Garlick,, who consented to act as honorary secretary for Wellington, has been fortunate in forming an excellent Advisory Board, comprising among its members Dr. J. M. Mason, Chief Health Officer; Dr. W. Ewart, Medical Superintendent of the Wellington Hospital; and Dr. W. E. Herbert, of Wellington, whose oxporienco and assistance should bo of great yaluo to the Association,