THE ASTHMA CONTROVERSY (January 30, 1971)

Sir: Because the article “Asthmas Controversy” (Journal, November 21, 1970) is largely a repetition of the same material concerning the report of the National Health and Medical Research Council on my system of asthma management, and presents a distorted reflection of the facts, I am obliged to object to this article.

Judgement is passed on my activity on the basis of rumour, gossip and inaccurate statements, and I am condemned for “persistently rejecting” a clinic at Wollongong Hospital, the offer of which existed only in the imagination of Mr Jack Hough, M.L.A., and for not accepting the “offer” of a clinic at Canberra Community Hospital; I have never been offered a clinic at Wollongong Hospital or at Canberra Hospital. According to my information, from the public Press, from the letter of the chairman of the board, Mr Jim Fraser, to Asthma Action, and from the personal letter of Miss Monica Adams, Head Physiotherapist at Canberra Hospital to myself, a decision was made by the board to make available breathing exercises for asthmatic patients within the physiotherapy department of the Hospital. This is very far from offering me an asthma clinic, where the James system would be used in toto under the direct supervision of medical personnel specially trained in the theory and practice of my methods.

This faulty presentation greatly damages my personal and professional reputation, and is very harmful to my efforts to have these methods implemented in the best and most practical scientific manner, and I naturally will not agree to the introduction of my methods in any way which could be detrimental.

I am surprised that emphasis should be placed on subjective impression, at the expense of scientific criticism of my findings in asthma aetiology and methods of treatment. Of course, the Commonwealth Minister for Health, Dr Forbes, cannot overpass the verdict of such an authoritative medical tribunal, but it is very sad that the endorsement of the National Health and Medical Research Council of its previous statement (Canberra, November, 1969) means that thousands of suffering asthmatics who desperately need real positive help will be deprived. I firmly protest against such an unjust verdict.

7 Bourke Street, A. James.

North Wollongong, N.S.W.2500.