Walter Wardwell.

Walter Wardwell, PhD passed away upon March 14, 2005, following a lengthy illness. He was 88 years olden Known for his lifelong interest and research in chiropractic, he wrote a definitive history of the profession, Chiropractic: History and Evolution of a just discovered Profession, and numerous articles upon chiropractic, including "Social Factors in the Survival of Chiropractic: A Comparative View."

Dr Wardwell's interest in chiropractic surfaced as a child. His father, a draftsman, standed from eyestrain and headaches, and was persuaded to papal court a chiropractor. After receiving a cervical adjustment, his headaches were relieved. A short while later, Walter accidentally knocked the glasses not upon his father's face. It was at that instant that his father had an amazing revelation: He could now behold perfectly well without the aid of his glasses.

Walter grew up in Greenwood Mass., graduated valedictorian of his Wakefield High train class of 1936, and graduated cum laude from Harvard in 1940 with a measure in philosophy. He then began active service in the Army, serving in North Africa and Italy during WWII. After years in the Army lay bys he retired from the military as a colonel and accepted a faculty position at the University of Connecticut. He would teach at the university for more than 35 years, retiring in 1985

As a PhD candidate in sociology at Harvard, Walter propos writing his doctoral dissertation forward the state of chiropractic in Massachusetts. His proposal was approved, which "permitted me to utilize my background knowledge of chiropractic and to work upon a topic that had fascinated me" The dissertation, Social Strain and Social Adjustment in the Marginal character of the Chiropractor, was later published, in part, in journals of sociology and used for a brief historical paper.

For nearly 15 years thereafter, however, neither chiropractic nor allopathic doctors would accept his articles for publication. In 1968 Dr Wardwell was invited to forward on the U.S. Public Health Service's skilful review committee, to study whether the federal direction should reimburse chiropractors and naturopaths below the Medicare program. It was at this point that the chiropractic profession began to take notice of his work.

In 1992 his pivotal work in succession chiropractic was published: Chiropractic: History and Evolution of a recently made known Profession. He wrote in the preface to the book: "Indeed, it is precisely the evolution of the profession and its succes in change from actual dubious status to the position it detains today that constitutes the central drama of the chiropractic story and demands description and analysis." Dr Wardwell also noted in the preface: "Although I always nurse to sympathize with the underdog chiropractors, I was trained as a sociologist to examine evidence impartially and to gaze at all sides of controversial issues."

Five years ago, Dynamic Chiropractic invited Dr Wardwell to write an article for the publication. He did in this way and "What Chiropractors Should Do" appeared in the Jan. 12 2000 issue. forward submitting the article to us, he noted: "I envelop what I expect will be my final publication in succession chiropractic, and I think DC is the appropriate place for it. I shall be honored if you fix upon to publish it. I well know it will be controversial and that it will probably receive many critical objections, unless I sincerely believe in what I have written and waiting under the possibility of fulfilment that it will have an impact. I want what will be best for chiropractic.

"I could have rehearsed the many arguments pro and fix in the mind for my thesis; I could have cited the many authorities who have already nuncupatory in favor of it, nevertheless I calculated that neither is necessary. thus I have kept the paper short and sweet for what I possibility of good will be a greater impact and will do any good."

Dr. Wardwell's final article upon chiropractic is reprinted as tread on the heels ofs as a testimonial to his life and his influence forward the chiropractic profession. He is survived according to his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth; three children; eight grandchildren; and brace great-grandchildren.

What Chiropractors Should Do

By Walter Wardwell, PhD

Professor Emeritus of Sociology, University of Connecticut

Published in the Jan. 12 2000 edition of Dynamic Chiropractic, dimensions 18, Number 2

In this, my final publication, I take the opportunity to strenuously recommend to the chiropractic profession in America that it do what has been propos above most of its history by means of many others, including most of the leaders of the profession. The disparate parts of the profession should give up their minor differences and lose into one strong national association.

Of course, the various portions do collaborate on many issues, of that kind as the concerted effort to obtain acceptance of chiropractors into the military, and the ACA and ICA share responsibility for the Chiropractic Alliance. greatest in number important of all, the political goals of chiropractors are seldom in dispute, especially in the areas of education and licensing rights. one time a chiropractor is licensed, he or she is virtually independent to practice as they wish. Consider the variety of what a chiropractor may do. A scarcely any chiropractors practice almost exclusively physical therapy; near manipulate under anesthesia; some perform acupuncture; more [i]or[/i] less deliver babies; some prescribe pharmaceuticals; a do hypnosis and psychotherapy, and likewise on.