Dear Editor:
The October 10, 1991 issue of this publication contained an article by Dr. Gerard W. Clum, "The Propagation of Destructive Myths." In the October 25, 1991 issue, you published my letter responding to Dr. Clum's article. That letter contains untrue statements and innuendos concerning Dr. Clum, Dr. Sid Williams, Life College, Life Chiropractic College-West, and ICA members. I made those untrue statements in an attempt to discredit those whom I perceived to be professional and political rivals. I write now to repudiate my previous letter, and correct the record.
First, Dr. Clum met all enrollment requirements of Palmer College, where he earned a doctor of chiropractic degree in 1973. Second, Dr. Clum practiced chiropractic in Iowa in 1975, and is or was licensed to practice in five states: Iowa, Michigan, South Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi. Third, Dr. Clum was an administrative officer and faculty member of Life College in Marietta, Georgia for six years before he accepted the position of president of Life Chiropractic College-West in January 1981. Fourth, while Drs. Clum and Williams share a common vision, Dr. Clum is his own man and speaks his mind freely. Fifth, the ICA is an association of professionals, not a cult. Sixth, Life College and Life Chiropractic College-West are not alter-egos of any one individual, but are separate and distinct entities.
I apologize to Dr. Clum, Dr. Williams, Life College, Life Chiropractic College-West, and ICA members.
James C. Smith, D.C.
Warner Robbins, Georgia
Where's a Chiropractor When You Need One? This is a letter to Edward C. Sullivan, D.C., a copy of which was forwarded to Dynamic Chiropractic for publication.
Dear Dr. Sullivan:
I did what you suggested and it didn't get me anywhere. If the army has osteopaths who give back manipulations they are holding out on me.
I went to sick call during basic training several times and each time inquired about seeing an osteopath. The staff at sick call ignored me or played dumb. I never received a straight answer or an appointment to see one, if they even have one. The clinic here at Fort Jackson, South Carolina is called Troop Medical Clinic, and the Hospital is Montcrief Hospital. All I get is a "run around" at these places. All Troop Medical Clinic does is pronounce your pain to be muscle strain and send you away with Motrin in your pocket and sometimes some Ben-Gay, neither of which help when all you need is a chiropractor or a real doctor. I could have a massive heart attack, and I personally believe that they'd give me Motrin and send me away.
The point of this letter is that the Army doesn't have an osteopath readily available to me, a soldier (previously in basic training) in advanced individualized training (AIT).
I am currently in a massive amount of physical pain, a large extent of which is treatable by chiropractic care.
The Army should have chiropractors in the military service because these ghost osteopaths don't cut the mustard or adjust the back. I anxiously await my first leave so I may fly home for one day, at an expense of $500, just to receive good chiropractic care.
Please share this letter with anyone who can make a difference in this miserable situation.
Pvt. Kathy L. Champion
Fort Jackson, South Carolina
The Cause, Not the Solution Dear Editor:
I read the article in the February 4, 1991 issue of Dynamic Chiropractic titled, "The Dichotomy in Chiropractic," authored by Fred Barge, D.C. It would seem that the attitude expressed is apparently the cause and not the solution to the problem he seems to be so concerned about. It would seem to me that by proposing the negative positioning he recommends, many advances made in the last two decades could be jeopardized. The very crazy mixer/straight controversy and those who make it their purpose in life is a dangerous challenge to our professional existence. For anyone to suggest that we were becoming dominated by orthodox medicine or wanting to be so, has lost sight of the recent court battle which our profession fortunately won, and the many other advances in public recognition through the media. If we were to embrace the philosophy of Dr. Barge, I believe we could expect to be relegated by the state legislatures across this country to a technician status, instead of a primary care portal of entry physician. We would then probably lose most of our insurance coverages across the board, and all financial aid now available to our students. This would be a disaster from which we could hardly expect to survive as an organized health care profession.
Robert C. Tilka, D.C.
Hendersonville, North Carolina
