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CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 REVISED EDITION 
 
Reproduced by Special Permission 
 
 Copyright by Yale Studio 
 
 DR. A. T. STILL AT AGE OF EIGHTY- SIX 
 
 FOUNDER OF OSTEOPATHY 
 
 " / love my fellow man because I see God in his face and in his form.'^ 
 
CONCERNING 
 
 OSTEOPATHY 
 
 A COMPILATION OF SELECTION FROM ARTICLES 
 
 PUBLISHED IN THE PROFESSIONAL AND LAY 
 
 PRESS WITH ORIGINAL CHAPTERS 
 
 BY 
 
 GEORGE V. WEBSTER, D.O. 
 
 AND SPECIAL ARTICLES BY MEMBERS OF 
 THE PROFESSION 
 
 ILLUSTRATED 
 
 1917 
 

 COPYRIGHT, I9IO, I915, 1917 
 BY GEORGE V. WEBSTER, D.O. 
 
 / 
 
 MAR -7i9l7 
 
 THE 'PLIMPTON 'PRESS 
 NORWOOD • MASS • U • S • A 
 
 ©G!A-i57315 
 I 
 
TO HIM 
 TO WHOM HEALTH IS WEALTH 
 THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED 
 
PREFACE 
 
 THE purpose of this volume is to reflect the 
 position occupied by Osteopathy as a system 
 of therapy. Osteopathy is the name apphed to 
 that school of practice of the healing art which 
 has developed as the result of the theories and 
 discoveries of Dr. Andrew Taylor Still. The 
 two basic theories, first propounded by Dr. Still, 
 and forming the tenets upon which the osteopathic 
 school rests are: first, the theory of the mechani- 
 cal legion as a cause of disease; and, second, the 
 theory that the normal chemical body is practi- 
 cally immune. 
 
 Osteopathy has so demonstrated its usefulness 
 to mankind that a spirit of inquiry has been 
 aroused as to just what Osteopathy is, what it 
 has done and what may be expected of it. With 
 a view to preparing a volume which may in a 
 measure provide the information desired, these 
 pages have been arranged. 
 
 Little originality of text has been attempted, 
 but, rather, in the review of the osteopathic 
 literature that^as appeared from time to time 
 in the professional and other publications, an 
 effort has been made to select such articles as 
 seem appropriate for this volume. These, in 
 
 [7] 
 
PREFACE 
 
 some instances rearranged and condensed to omit 
 technicalities, have been compiled in a more or 
 less logical order, giving the history of Osteopathy, 
 its development as a science, an exposition of its 
 theories, some of its practical workings and 
 something concerning its founder. Dr. Andrew 
 Taylor Still. 
 
 Acknowledgment is here made of the courtesy 
 of the several publishers for the permission granted 
 to select from their pages such articles and quota- 
 tions as appear in this book. Where possible, 
 credit has been given both to author and to 
 publication. 
 
 I am indebted to Drs. J. Deason, C. M. Hulett 
 and R. Kendrick Smith for contributing original 
 chapters; to Drs. Asa Willard, Carl P. McCon- 
 nell, M. F. Hulett, R. H. Williams and R. E. 
 Hamilton for revision of chapters; to Drs. Mina 
 Abbott Robinson, Roberta Wimer-Ford and E. 
 E. Tucker for revision of articles, and to many 
 other professional friends for valuable aid and 
 suggestions relative to the revision. 
 
 G. V. WEBSTER 
 Carthage, N. Y. 
 February 1, 1917 
 
 [8] 
 
J 
 
 TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Osteopathy and Truth. A. T. Still, M.D., D.O. . . 13 
 
 History of Osteopathy. Asa Willard, D.O 17 
 
 How I Came to Originate Osteopathy. A. T. Still, 
 
 M.D., D.O 27 
 
 What Osteopathy Is. Carl P. McConnell, D.O. . . 41 
 The Point of Departure Between Osteopathy and 
 
 Medicine. E. E. Tucker, D.O 49 
 
 Disease From an Osteopathic Viewpoint. M. F. 
 
 HuLETT, B.S., D.O 65 
 
 What Osteopathic Lesions Are. G. M. Laughlin, 
 
 M.S.D., D.O 77 
 
 Manner of Treatment. G. V. Webster, D.O. ... 83 
 A Differentiation: 
 
 Differences Between Osteopathy and Massage. A. T. 
 
 Still, M.D., D.O 93 
 
 An Illustration. Asa Willard, D.O 94 
 
 Scientific Proofs of Osteopathy. G. V. Webster, D.O. 99 
 A Summary of Osteopathic Research Work. J. 
 
 Deason, M.S., D.O 113 
 
 The Osteopathic Education: 
 
 Osteopathy, A Distinct School. C. P. McConnell, 
 
 D.O 121 
 
 Osteopathic Teaching. C. C. Teall, D.O 122 
 
 The Osteopathic Curriculum. R. H. Williams, D.O. 124 
 Application of Osteopathic Principles. G. V. Web- 
 ster, D.O. . ^ 133 
 
 Diseases of the Nervous System 134 
 
 Diseases of the Digestive System 136 
 
 Diseases of the Respiratory System 138 
 
 Diseases of the Circulatory System 140 
 
 Diseases of the Kidney 143 
 
 Diseases of the Pelvic Organs 144 
 
 [9] 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 Diseases of the Skin 147 
 
 Acute Infectious Diseases 148 
 
 Diseases of the Eye and Ear 150 
 
 Constitutional Diseases 153 
 
 The Growth of Osteopathy. A. G. Hildreth, D.O.. 159 
 
 Osteopathic Specialists. R. Kendrick Smith, D.O. . 167 
 
 Osteopathic Institutions. C. M. T. Hulett, D.O. . 179 
 Osteopathy and Surgery. Geo. A. Still, M.S., M.D., 
 
 D.O 185 
 
 How Osteopathy Treats the Blood. C. P. McCon- 
 
 nell, D.O 191 
 
 Osteopathy and the Germ Theory. R. E. Hamilton, 
 
 M.Ph., D.O 199 
 
 The Value of Osteopathy to the Child. Mina Abbott 
 
 Robinson, D.O 209 
 
 Woman and Osteopathy. Roberta Wimer-Ford, D.O. 213 
 Osteopathy a Preventive of Disease. G. V. Webster, 
 
 D.O 219 
 
 A Delicate Question — Life 227 
 
 The Results of Osteopathic Practice. G. V. Webster, 
 
 D.O 231 
 
 Osteopathy in the Future. Russell Duane .... 237 
 
 illustrations 
 
 Dr. Andrew Taylor Still Frontispiece 
 
 Osteopathic Hospital and School at Kirksville, Mo. 35 
 
 The a. T, Still Research Institute 115 
 
 Cottage in which Osteopathy was first Taught . . . 161 
 
 Still-Hildreth Sanatorium 181 
 
 The ^'Old Doctor" Studying the Femur 221 
 
 [10] 
 
OSTEOPATHY AND TRUTH 
 
 [Reprinted by permission from the Journal of Osteopathy] 
 
 From an address by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still delivered on his 
 eightieth birthday. 
 
 I am sure that no man of brilliant mind can 
 pass this milepost and not hitch his team and 
 do some precious loading. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
 X 
 
Osteopathy is the knowledge of the structure, 
 relation and function of each part of the 
 human body applied to the adjustment or 
 correction of whatever interferes with the 
 harmonious operation of the same. 
 
 — G. V. Webster, D.O. 
 
OSTEOPATHY AND TRUTH 
 
 BY ANDREW TAYLOR STILL, M.D., D.O. 
 
 WHLE for years I fought the battles of 
 Osteopathy alone, meeting great opposi- 
 tion and vilification, I knew I had the truth and 
 that the truth was immortal and that some day 
 the principles of Osteopathy would be hailed with 
 gladness throughout the earth. The principles 
 are in harmony with the great laws of God as seen 
 in Nature. Osteopathy deals with the body as 
 a perfect machine, which, if kept in proper ad- 
 justment, nourished and cared for, will run 
 smoothly into ripe and useful old age. As long 
 as the human machine is in order, like the locomo- 
 tive or any other mechanical product, it will 
 perform the function which it should. When 
 every part of the machine is correctly adjusted 
 and in perfect harmony, health will hold dominion 
 over the human organisn^by laws as natural and 
 immutable as the laws of gravity. Every living 
 organism has within it the power to manufacture 
 and prepare all chemicals and forces needed to 
 build and rebuild itself. No material other than 
 nutritious food taken into the system in proper 
 
 [13] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 quality and quantity can be introduced from the 
 outside without detriment. A proper adjustment 
 of the bony framework and the soft structures of 
 man's anatomical mechanism means good diges- 
 tion, nutrition and circulation, health and happi- 
 ness. 
 
 Osteopathy is not a theory, but a demonstrated 
 fact. You may say there are some failures. 
 Yes, who would not expect it? We are called 
 to treat people who have been poisoned and 
 diseased beyond the possibility of anything 
 except a little temporary relief. Or perhaps the 
 Osteopath is not able to apply the knowledge he 
 should have gained before being granted a diploma 
 from an osteopathic school. This reflects no 
 more upon the science of Osteopathy than does 
 the farmer who fails upon the science of farming. 
 Again many are looking for miracles and are 
 disappointed when a few treatments fail to bring 
 wonted strength and vigor. 
 
 [14] 
 
HISTORY OF OSTEOPATHY 
 
 [Reprinted by permission from the Journal of Osteopathy] 
 
 The philosopher begins an ignorant man, knows 
 this to be his condition and uses the many 
 methods that occur to his mind to better his 
 condition by a knowledge of demonstrated 
 truths. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
 X 
 
The starting point of medicine is further back 
 in history; the starting point of Osteopathy is 
 further back in Nature. 
 
 — E. E. Tucker, D.O. 
 
HISTORY OF OSTEOPATHY 
 
 BY ASA WILLARD, D.O. 
 
 THE early history of Osteopathy is the history 
 of one man, its founder, Dr. A. T. Still. 
 Its principles were first put forth by him in 1874. 
 
 Dr. Still was a regular practising physician 
 and during the war, an army surgeon. He was 
 born in Virginia, his father being a minister. 
 The family moved west and Dr. Still, during his 
 early life, experienced all the perils and hardships 
 of pioneer life. 
 
 Dr. Still was always of an observing, investigat- 
 ing turn of mind. An incident illustrative of this 
 is told of his boyhood days. After playing hard, 
 he was often troubled with a headache. One day 
 he lay down under the swing tree, with the back 
 of his neck slung in the swing rope which almost 
 touched the ground. He fell asleep. When he 
 awoke, he found that his headache was gone. 
 They usually lasted him a good while and he got 
 to thinking of it. After that when he had a 
 headache, he went to the swing rope. Of course, 
 all he knew about the procedure then or for years 
 afterward was that the headache stopped. The 
 
 [17] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 treatment, however, was rational and its results 
 can be explained physiologically. The pressure 
 of the rope simply caused the tissue at the back of 
 the skull to relax and allow the congesting blood 
 to flow from the head. 
 
 In the early seventies. Dr. Still had three children 
 die from spinal meningitis, in spite of the employ- 
 ment of every means known to medical science at 
 that time. This experience seemed to thoroughly 
 confirm him in the view that something was 
 lacking in the accepted mode of treating disease. 
 He began devoting almost his whole time to the 
 study of the human body and investigating along 
 lines that suggested themselves to him. He 
 dissected animals and dug the bones from old 
 Indian graves to get material for his study. His 
 ^^bag of bones'' came to be a joke throughout 
 that part of Kansas, in which state the Still family 
 then lived. 
 
 In his autobiography, he says of his study of 
 the body of man, ''By the use of the knife and the 
 microscope I have traced for these many years 
 the wonderful and perfect work therein found, 
 carefully inspecting every fiber, gland and all 
 parts of the brain; I have observed the construc- 
 tion of the parts and their uses.'' 
 
 Great thoughts do not come spontaneously, 
 but the basic idea may, after years of study, 
 come in a moment to the investigator. In 1874 
 
 [18] 
 
HISTORY OF OSTEOPATHY 
 
 Dr. Still grasped the pivotal truth of Osteopathy 
 and that year he calls the birth year of the science. 
 He began devoting his whole time to the develop- 
 ment of his science and as he did so he experienced 
 that derision and ridicule which have always 
 been the lot of those whose discoveries have 
 meant radical departure from the established 
 ideas. 
 
 When, in the seventeenth century, Harvey 
 discovered and proclaimed how the blood circu- 
 lated from the heart through arteries and veins, 
 he was designated as ^ ^ crazy ^^ by his medical 
 brethren and ostracized from medical societies. 
 Such was the treatment accorded Dr. Still. 
 
 His medical friends sneered at him and w^hen 
 he made efforts to explain to them his discovery 
 they refused to listen to his ^' crazy ^^ talk. He 
 lost practice, his friends fell away from him. 
 He was well to do and had accumulated con- 
 siderable property in Kansas. He and his brother 
 had donated 480 acres of land for the site of 
 Baker University at Baldwin, Kansas. When 
 he asked the privilege of explaining Osteopathy 
 at the University, the doors of the structure he 
 had helped to build were closed against him. 
 He gradually lost his property and with his 
 family moved to Missouri. For about ten years 
 he traveled over the state visiting patients in 
 various places. At times he actually wanted 
 
 [19] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 for life's necessities. He finally located in Kirks- 
 ville, Mo., and practised there and throughout 
 the surrounding country. His work was almost 
 entirely confined to the poor and very little of it 
 was paid for. Every now and then, rumors of 
 some wonderful cures which he had performed 
 pervaded the community. Among those whom 
 he had cured, he had loyal friends, but in 
 the main the community referred to him as 
 ^Hhat old quack. Still'' and they attributed what 
 success he had to faith cure, mesmerism, etc. 
 ^^ Doctor," a lady said to him one morning, ^^Now, 
 be honest with me; isn't your success due to 
 hypnotism?" '^ Well, madam, it may be," replied 
 the doctor, ^^I've set three hips already this 
 morning." 
 
 In spite of the aspersion and ridicule heaped 
 upon him and the difficulty of making both ends 
 meet, he was always cheerful and optimistic and 
 eternally confident of the world's ultimate recogni- 
 tion of Osteopathy. There was always a oneness 
 of purpose in his work. This, combined with a 
 heart filled with charity, seemed entirely to 
 exclude all thoughts of money matters or personal 
 aggrandizement. 
 
 I remember an incident in my own acquaintance 
 with him which was illustrative of this and which 
 occurred a few years after he had started his 
 school. I was sitting with him on his back porch 
 
 [20] 
 
HISTORY OF OSTEOPATHY 
 
 and, with an open anatomy in his lap and a skele- 
 ton at his side, he was explaining to me some 
 point of the bodily structure. A little crippled 
 girl on crutches came around the corner of the 
 house. She was a charity patient. ^^Oh, yes, 
 I want to look after this little girl. Now you 
 see'' — and he then entered into an explanation 
 of her condition and how it could be corrected. 
 While he was talking, his wife came to the door 
 
 and said, ^^Pa, Senator 's wife is waiting for 
 
 you in the parlor.'' ^^AU right, in a minute,'^ 
 said the Doctor, and, with one hand on the little 
 girl's back, he went on explaining. After a 
 while, concluding with, ^^Now we'll go over to 
 the school," he started for the school, having to 
 be reminded again of the lady who was waiting 
 for him in the house. He had become so interested 
 in the little crippled charity patient that he had 
 forgotten all about the United States Senator's 
 wife whose husband was one of the most influential 
 men in the country. 
 
 Hard work, persistence and self-sacrifice finally 
 won. Occasionally some person of prominence 
 became interested. His theory was so rational 
 that these brought others. In spite of the fact 
 that his patients were almost entirely from those 
 claimed as hopelessly incurable by the old method 
 of healing, some of his cures were marvelous. 
 People began to be attracted from distances and 
 
 [21] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 the ''Old Doctor'' with his two oldest sons, 
 Charlie and Harry, soon had as much practice 
 as they could attend to. 
 
 In 1892, he established a school. Many of 
 his friends tried to deter him, some thinking his 
 ability was a gift and could not be imparted to 
 others. Others said that he was a fool; that 
 after all these years of struggle, he ought to hold 
 on to his secret himself and become wealthy. 
 But money was the last thing about which Dr. 
 Still thought. After the establishment of the 
 school, although opposition by no means ceased, 
 recognition came more rapidly. 
 
 Today, Dr. Still is a hale old gentleman, eighty- 
 eight years of age. Unlike the vast majority of 
 the great who have made revolutionary discoveries 
 of benefit to mankind, he has lived to see the fruit 
 of his labors — to see his science generally recog- 
 nized. In the little city of Kirksville where he 
 lives, the citizens refer affectionately to him as 
 the ''Old Doctor.'' He is a scientist and a man. 
 When he comes to lay down his staff, it can be 
 said of him, as it was said of another, "Were 
 every one to whom he did some loving service to 
 bring a blossom to his grave, he would sleep 
 beneath a wilderness of flowers." 
 
 A brief outline of the present status of Os- 
 teopathy will serve to show the remarkable 
 progress made by this system of healing since the 
 
 [22] 
 
HISTORY OF OSTEOPATHY 
 
 first school was established in 1892, — a progress 
 unequaled in a like period of time by any system 
 which the history of the healing art records. 
 The first class, enrolled in the school which Dr. 
 Still established in 1892, numbered eighteen. 
 The classes were conducted in a two-room frame 
 cottage which today looks across the street toward 
 a four-story building which houses complete 
 laboratories and facilities for instructing the 
 seven hundred osteopathic students of The Ameri- 
 can School of Osteopathy. By the side of this 
 building is a large hospital, one of the best equipped 
 and most efl&ciently managed of any in the country. 
 Since the establishment of this school, other 
 well equipped osteopathic schools have been 
 established and modern osteopathic hospitals are 
 run in connection with them. Besides the Ameri- 
 can School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Missouri, 
 there are now: The Massachusetts College of 
 Osteopathy at Boston, Mass.; Philadelphia Col- 
 lege of Osteopathy at Philadelphia, Pa.; Des 
 Moines Still College of Osteopathy, Des Moines, 
 la. ; Central College of Osteopathy, Kansas City, 
 Mo.; Chicago College of Osteopathy, Chicago, 
 111., and the College of Osteopathic Physicians 
 and Surgeons at Los Angeles, Cal. In addition 
 to these schools, the profession has established 
 the A. T. Still Osteopathic Research Institute, at 
 Chicago, 111. Already an endowment fund of 
 
 [23] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 $100,000.00 has been subscribed for its support. 
 That it may be of the utmost efficiency in de- 
 veloping the humanity-benefiting truths promul- 
 gated by the founder of Osteopathy, it is the 
 intention of the osteopathic physicians and their 
 friends to raise $1,000,000.00 for its endowment. 
 
 There are today seven thousand osteopathic 
 physicians practising their profession in the 
 United States and Canada, and the profession 
 has representatives in all of the leading foreign 
 countries. Its practitioners have been accorded 
 legal recognition in all but a few of the states and 
 in a number of the Canadian provinces. In many 
 instances they have been granted independent 
 State Examining Boards. 
 
 The national organization of the profession, 
 the American Osteopathic Association, enrolls 
 over fifty per cent of all graduate Osteopaths. 
 This indicates the profession's continued virility 
 and honest humanitarian interest in the principles 
 expounded by the universally revered founder. 
 An examination will show that this percentage of 
 the active membership in a profession's national 
 organization is paralleled by no other profession 
 in the world. The profession's increase and 
 progress simply indicates the public acceptance 
 of the osteopathic idea. 
 
 [24] 
 
HOW I CAME TO ORIGINATE 
 OSTEOPATHY 
 
 [Reprinted by permission from the Ladies' Home Journal] 
 
 I first saw the tracks of God in the snow of 
 time. I followed them. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
Tradition has been the everlasting parent of 
 tyranny. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
HOW I CAME TO ORIGINATE 
 OSTEOPATHY 
 
 By ANDREW TAYLOR STILL, M.D., D.O. 
 
 MY first awakening to the principles which 
 today have culminated in the science 
 called ^^ Osteopathy^' came when I was about 
 ten years old. I was a boy on my father's farm 
 in Macon County, Missouri. I was subject to 
 sick headaches, and while suffering from one 
 of these attacks one day I was instinctively led 
 to make a swing of my father's plowline between 
 two trees. My head hurt too much to make 
 swinging comfortable. I let the line down to 
 within eight or ten inches of the ground, threw 
 the end of a blanket on it, and lay down on the 
 ground, using the line for a swinging pillow. 
 To my surprise I soon began to feel easier, and 
 went to sleep. In a little while I got up with 
 headache and fever gone. This discovery in- 
 terested me, and after that, whenever I felt my 
 headache spells coming on, I would ^' swing my 
 neck," as I called it. 
 
 The next incident which gave me cause for 
 thought occurred when I contracted dysentery, 
 
 [27] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 or flux, with copious discharges mixed with blood. 
 There were chilly sensations, high fever, backache 
 and cold abdomen. It seemed to me my back 
 would break, the misery was so great. A log was 
 lying in my father's yard. In the effort to get 
 comfort I threw myself across it on the small of 
 my back and made a few twisting motions, which 
 probably restored the misplaced bones to their 
 normal position, for soon the pain began to leave, 
 my abdomen began to get warm, the chilly 
 sensation disappeared, and that was the last of 
 the flux. 
 
 MILL MACHINERY INTERESTED ME 
 
 My father, as a pioneer, was a farmer, a mill 
 owner, a minister and a doctor. I studied and 
 practised medicine with him. 
 
 Pioneer life on a Western farm in those days 
 was such that all the inventive powers one might 
 possess were given ample chance to show forth. 
 There was very little to buy and less money to 
 buy it with. My father had a grist and saw- 
 mill run by water, in the working of which I 
 became very much interested. Later, I bought 
 an interest in a steam sawmill, and took a course 
 of instruction in milling machinery for practical 
 purposes. 
 
 As I studied this mill machinery I got my first 
 clear idea of the machinery of the human body. 
 
 [28] 
 
THE ORIGIN OF OSTEOPATHY 
 
 My mind invariably associated and compared 
 the machinery of the mill with the machinery of 
 the human being: with the drivewheels, pinions, 
 cups, arms and shafts of the human, with their 
 forces and supplies, framework, attachment by 
 ligament and muscle, the nerve and blood supply. 
 ''How'' and ''where'' the motor nerves receive 
 their power and motion, how the sensory and 
 nutrient nerves act in their functions, their source 
 of supply, their work done in health, in the parts 
 obstructed, parts and principles through which 
 they passed to perform their duties of life — all 
 this study in human mechanics awoke with new 
 vigor within me. I believed that something 
 abnormal could be found which, by tolerating a 
 temporary or permanent suspension of the blood 
 in arteries or veins, would produce the effect 
 which was called disease. 
 
 With this thought in mind came such questions 
 as: What is disease? What is fever? Is fever 
 an effect? I took disease to be an effect, experi- 
 menting and proving the position, being sustained 
 each time by Nature's response in the affirmative. 
 
 Early in the sixties I took a course of instruction 
 in the Kansas City School of Physicians and 
 Surgeons, studjdng such branches as were taught 
 in the medical schools of that day. I took up 
 the regular practice of an allopathic physician. 
 I was called a good doctor. 
 
 [29] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 ^'THE PROPER STUDY OF MANKIND 
 IS MAN" 
 
 During all this time I had devoted a large 
 part of my time to the study of anatomy, which 
 attracted me strongly. I read every book on 
 the subject I could get hold of, but my chief 
 source of study was the book of Nature. I found 
 myself more and more believing that ^^the proper 
 study of mankind is man,^^ and the best method 
 to pursue it is to dissect and study the body itself. 
 The skinning of wild animals in my youth brought 
 me into contact with muscles, nerves and veins. 
 
 The skeletons of the Indians were my next 
 study in bones, and I went on making numberless 
 experiments with bones until I became very famil- 
 iar with the entire bony structure of the human 
 body. Finally, I tried an experiment of my own: 
 I made a picture or chart of the bones of the whole 
 body, then stood blindfolded, or with my back to 
 a table. A bone would be handed to me by an 
 assistant. I would take it in my hands and by 
 the ^^feeP' of it would name it and direct where it 
 should be placed on the chart (right or left). I 
 carried this to the extent of even the smallest 
 bones of the hands and feet and those of the 
 spine, until the chart was filled in completely. 
 This I used to do over and over again. For not 
 less than twelve months I studied bones alone, 
 
 [30] 
 
THE ORIGIN OF OSTEOPATHY 
 
 before taking up Descriptive Anatomy, because 
 I wanted to know what a bone is and its use. I 
 became as familiar with every bone as I was with 
 the words ^^ father ^^ and ^^ mother.'' Of course 
 all this meant untiring work, and I have hardly 
 expected my students to follow me over the entire 
 length of this portion of my road. Nevertheless, 
 I believe as strongly today as ever that the closer 
 they follow this road, the better for their patients. 
 They must study and know the exact construction 
 of the human body, the exact location of every 
 bone, nerve, fiber, muscle and organ; the origin, 
 the course and flow of all the fluids of the body, 
 the relation of each to the other and the function 
 it is to perform in perpetuating life and health. 
 In addition, they must have ability to enable them 
 to detect the exact location of any and all obstruc- 
 tions to the regular movements of this grand 
 machinery of life, and supplement this ability 
 with skill to remove all such obstructions. 
 
 From this study in bones I went on to the study 
 of muscles, ligaments, tissues, arteries, veins, 
 lymphatics and nerves. 
 
 I began now to feel that I was irresistibly headed 
 for some road: what road I myself knew not. Of 
 one thing I was certain: I was getting farther 
 away from the use of medicines in the treatment 
 of ills and ails. I was a physician of the old 
 school in name but not in fact. 
 
 [31] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 I carried on my theories: I practiced them 
 wherever I could find people who would place con- 
 fidence in me, until the Civil War came on. Then 
 I enlisted and went '^to the front/' 
 
 On resuming my duties as a private citizen 
 after the war, I took up again the study and 
 research of my all-absorbing topic: how to cure 
 disease without medicine, and on June 22, 1874, 
 there came into my mind the first clear concep- 
 tion of the practical workings of what is now 
 known as the Science of Osteopathy. This day I 
 celebrate as its birthday. 
 
 ONE OF THE FIRST CASES I TREATED 
 
 In the autumn of 1874 I was given a chance to 
 try my ideas on a case of flux. I was walking with 
 a friend on the streets of Macon, Missouri, in 
 which town I was visiting, when I noticed in 
 advance of us a woman with three children. I 
 called my friend's attention to fresh blood that 
 had dripped along the street for perhaps fifty 
 yards. We caught up with the group and dis- 
 covered that the woman's little boy, about four 
 years old, was sick. He had only a calico dress 
 on, and, to my wonder and surprise, his legs and 
 feet were covered with blood. A glance was 
 enough to show that the mother was poor. We 
 immediately offered our services to help the boy 
 home. I picked him up and placed my hand on 
 
 [32] 
 
THE ORIGIN OF OSTEOPATHY 
 
 the small of his back. I found it hot, while the 
 abdomen was cold. The neck and the back of 
 the head were also very warm and the face and 
 nose very cold. This set me to reasoning, for 
 up to that time the most I knew of flux was that 
 it was fatal in a great many cases. I had never 
 before asked myself the question: What is flux? 
 I began to reason about the spinal cord which 
 gives ofif its motor nerves to the front of the body, 
 its sensory to the back; but that gave no clew to 
 flux. Beginning at the base of the child's brain, 
 I found rigid and loose places in the muscles and 
 ligaments of the whole spine, while the lumbar 
 portion was very much congested and rigid. The 
 thought came to me, like a flash, that there might 
 be a strain or some partial dislocation of the bones 
 of the spine or ribs, and that by pressure I could 
 adjust the bones and set free the nerve and blood 
 supply to the bowels. On this basis of reasoning 
 I treated the child's spine, and told the mother to 
 report the next day. She came the next morning 
 with the news that her child was well. 
 
 There were many cases of flux in the town at 
 that time and shortly after, and the mother, tell- 
 ing of my cure of the child, brought a number of 
 cases to me. I cured them all by my own method 
 and without drugs. This began to stir up com- 
 ment, and I soon found myself the object of 
 curiosity and criticism. 
 
 [33] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 Another case which I was asked to see brought 
 upon me still further criticism. A young woman 
 was suffering with nervous prostration. All hope 
 had been given up by the doctors, and the family 
 was so told. After a number of medical councils 
 her father came to me and said: ^^The doctors 
 say my daughter cannot live. Will you step in 
 and look at her?'^ I found the young woman in 
 bed, and from the twisted manner in which her 
 head lay I suspected a partial dislocation of the 
 neck. On examination I found this to be true — 
 one of the upper bones of her neck was slipped to 
 one side, shutting off, by pressure, the vertebral 
 artery on its way to supply the brain. In four 
 hours after I had carefully adjusted the bones of 
 her neck she was up and out of bed. 
 
 WHY I STARTED A SCHOOL OF 
 OSTEOPATHY 
 
 I went through those interesting yet trying 
 days deaf to criticism and conunent. I worked 
 alone, studying, investigating, experimenting. 
 
 Gradually people began coming to me in increas- 
 ing numbers, and soon I found that my practice 
 was beginning to grow beyond the limits of my 
 strength. Several persons, seeing my increasing 
 practice, now began to urge me to teach them a 
 knowledge of the practical workings of my dis- 
 covery. In the early nineties I concluded to 
 
 [34] 
 
THE ORIGIN OF OSTEOPATHY 
 
 teach others the principles that underlay my 
 drugless work. I realized that I must have help 
 or break down. I had four sons and one daughter, 
 able-bodied young people, and the thought came 
 to me to educate them in this science in order that 
 they could assist me in my work. 
 
 I employed the best talent that I could find to 
 teach them anatomy, physiology and chemistry, 
 teaching them, myself, the principles and practice 
 of my own science. After my school had been in 
 running order a short time others became inter- 
 ested and asked permission to join, and the class 
 increased in numbers. At the end of the first 
 year I had some students who were able to help 
 me in a way, and in the course of two years I 
 really had assistance. This was the origin of 
 what is known today as the ^^ American School of 
 Osteopathy.'^ 
 
 With the origination of the school came, of 
 course, the necessity of a name to designate the 
 science, and I chose ^'Osteopathy.'' I reasoned 
 that the bone, '^ osteon," was the starting point 
 from which I was to ascertain the cause of patho- 
 logical conditions, and I combined the ^^osteo" 
 with 'Apathy." 
 
 So '' Osteopathy," sketched briefiy, was launched 
 upon the world. 
 
 [35] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 NOW WHAT IS OSTEOPATHY? 
 
 Many people naturally ask: ^'What is Oste- 
 opathy?'' 
 
 Osteopathy is simply this: The law of human 
 life is absolute, and I believe that God has placed 
 the remedy for every disease within the material 
 house in which the spirit of life dwells. I believe 
 that the Maker of man has deposited in some 
 part or throughout the whole system of the human 
 body drugs in abundance to cure all infirmities: 
 that all the remedies necessary to health are com- 
 pounded within the human body. They can be 
 administered by adjusting the body in such man- 
 ner that the remedies may naturally associate 
 themselves together. And I have never failed to 
 find all these remedies. At times some seemed 
 to be out of reach, but by a close study I always 
 found them. So I hold that man should study 
 and use only the drugs that are found in his own 
 drug store — that is, in his own body. 
 
 Osteopathy is, then, a science built upon this 
 principle: that man is a machine, needing, when 
 diseased, an expert mechanical engineer to adjust 
 its machinery. It stands for the labor, both 
 mental and physical, of the engineer, or Osteopath, 
 who comes to correct the abnormal conditions of 
 the human body and restore them to the normal. 
 Of course, ^^ normal'' does not simply mean a re- 
 
 [36] 
 
THE ORIGIN OF OSTEOPATHY 
 
 adjustment of bones to a normal position in order 
 that muscles and ligaments may with freedom 
 play in their allotted places. Beyond all this lies 
 the still greater question to be solved: How and 
 when to apply the touch which sets free the 
 chemicals of life as Nature designs? 
 
 Osteopathy to me has but one meaning, and 
 that is, that the plan and specification by which 
 man is constructed and designed shows absolute 
 perfection in all its parts and principles. When 
 a competent anatomist (as the successful Os- 
 teopath must be), in treating the human body, 
 follows this plan and specification, the result wall 
 be a restoration of physiological functioning from 
 disease to health. 
 
 An Osteopath is only a human engineer who 
 should understand all the laws governing the 
 human engine and thereby master disease. 
 
 [37] 
 
Tie a string around your finger — tight. What 
 will follow f The finger will turn red, and 
 then it will turn black. In time it will 
 die, and perhaps in consequence you will 
 die too. No treatment, internal or exter- 
 nal, material or mental, can save your 
 finger so long as the string remains. The 
 only thing necessary is the removal of the 
 string. This in a crude way illustrates the 
 principle which is the basis of Osteopathy. 
 
 This principle is that anything which interferes 
 with blood currents or with nerve impulses 
 must be overcome in order to secure health 
 of the parts affected. 
 
 — E. M. Downing, D.O. 
 
 [38] 
 
WHAT OSTEOPATHY IS 
 
 [Reprinted by permission from the Journal of Osteopathy] 
 
 When all parts of the human body are in line, 
 we have perfect health. When they are not, 
 the effect is disease. When the parts are read- 
 justed disease gives place to health, 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
Osteopathy is not a remedy. It is not a part of 
 medicine or surgery. It is not a treatment for 
 some particular class or group of diseases. 
 It is a complete system of therapeutics appli- 
 cable alike to all curable diseases. 
 
 — Percy H. Woodall, D.O. 
 
WHAT OSTEOPATHY IS 
 
 By GAEL P. McCONNELL, D.O. 
 
 THE science of Osteopathy primarily depends 
 for its success upon a most thorough and 
 comprehensive study of the anatomy and physiol- 
 ogy of the human body. Osteopathy has for its 
 object the maintenance of the complete circuit 
 of the motor, sensory and sympathetic nerves, to 
 and from all the organs and tissues and the restora- 
 tion of that harmonious action which must ensue 
 when all parts are unirritated by any cause, thus 
 permitting a perfect freedom of all fluids, forces 
 and substances pertaining to life. 
 
 In the application of this knowledge to the 
 healing art is where the School of Osteopathy 
 differs from its predecessors. Osteopathy retains 
 the knowledge gained in the medical world, but 
 believes that the administration of drugs in a 
 remedial sense is a mistake and that, by a 
 thorough understanding of the mechanism of the 
 human system, on an anatomical, physiological 
 and hygienic basis, disease can be prevented or 
 controlled in an exact and definite manner by the 
 
 [41] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 application of principles peculiar to osteopathic 
 practice. 
 
 More and more it is being realized that the use 
 of drugs is not to be depended upon; and the 
 intelligent physician, as well as layman, is not sat- 
 isfied with the results. It is even questioned 
 whether their use has not been more harmful than 
 the sum of all the diseases of mankind. 
 
 Osteopathy, on the other hand, depends for its 
 remedial effects upon the integrity of nature; 
 consequently the Osteopath believes that the giv- 
 ing of drugs for the cure of himian ills is unreliable 
 and unscientific. 
 
 HUMAN SYSTEM COMPLETE IN ITSELF 
 
 The human system is a perfect organism, a 
 universe within itself, and being complete has the 
 recuperative power of Nature within it. If such 
 were not the case, the human body would be 
 incomplete, man would be obliged to seek extrane- 
 ous aid in the alleviation of disease, and in such 
 instance the use of medical agencies would prob- 
 ably be more of a success. 
 
 The first step in osteopathic attainment is a 
 most exhaustive knowledge of anatomical struc- 
 tures and the physiological functions of the human 
 body. Then is observed the fact that man is a 
 complete being, capable of performing his own 
 mental and physical acts when in health; that 
 
 [42] 
 
WHAT OSTEOPATHY IS 
 
 disease is simply evidence of disorder, and to 
 restore health necessitates a correction of dis- 
 ordered parts. 
 
 The human organism contains the attributes 
 of a physical mechanism. Vital functions are 
 conditioned and amenable to the structural laws 
 of physics. This fact determines the value of the 
 science of Osteopathy — its practicalness. Herein 
 is contained the essence of the art of Osteopathy. 
 
 In the restoration of health the Osteopath 
 works entirely in harmony with nature, correcting 
 disorders of mind and body upon a physical basis 
 through the application of his knowledge of the 
 laws and principles of the human body, thereby 
 looking upon disease as some disorder of the nor- 
 mal function of the body, and not as an entity to 
 be attacked by some foreign force which would 
 only alleviate, antagonize or overshadow the real 
 trouble. 
 
 EXAMINATION OF THE PATIENT 
 
 The patient is examined from a physical view- 
 point. Pathological conditions and symptoms 
 are used as clews to find the cause of the disease. 
 Back of these signs and symptoms of the disease 
 must be traced the origin of the nerve supply 
 and the course of the blood channels from the 
 parts diseased to the exact region, or primary 
 lesion, causing the abnormal condition. 
 
 [43] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 The cause of the disease may be a dislocated 
 or sub-dislocated bone, ligament, cartilage, or 
 muscle, producing an inhibition or irritation of a 
 nerve jfiber or causing obstruction to an artery, 
 vein, lymphatic or some fluid of the body, thereby 
 resulting in disorder to that part of the body to 
 which the affected nerve or vessel is connected or 
 distributed. When the point of exact cause of 
 the disease is located, aid is given crippled nature 
 in reestablishing the normal activities of its forces. 
 
 OSTEOPATHIC TREATMENT 
 
 The mode of treatment is a scientific manipula- 
 tion, applying the mechanical principle which is 
 indicated in each separate case. Osteopathic 
 treatment is not simply applicable to a particular 
 line of diseases, but controls with precision and 
 success all curable diseases of the entire cate- 
 gory. Its newly discovered principles, peculiar to 
 osteopathic practice, are of an unerring and 
 comprehensive nature. 
 
 Osteopathy's laws and principles, being in 
 harmony with, and, in fact, part of the infinite 
 natural forces of life, show its predominance over 
 all previous schools of medicine. 
 
 The Osteopath does not depend upon medicine 
 to act upon the structure or function of the dis- 
 ordered tissue, for the diseased tissue is simply 
 an effect, but he relies upon the natural forces 
 
 [44] 
 
WHAT OSTEOPATHY IS 
 
 within the human body. He first corrects the 
 structural deviations of any region that may be 
 affected and thus restores physiological harmony 
 to the diseased parts, and this being done, health 
 must ensue. 
 
 [45] 
 
A person walking over an uneven walk, may 
 unexpectedly step in a depression and twist 
 the spine. There is momentary pain that is 
 soon forgotten. The injured place remains. 
 The tissues become thickened. The move- 
 ment of the joint is practically lost, the verte- 
 bral foramina are partly closed, and there is 
 disturbance of function of everything in rela- 
 tion. The person may not be aware that it 
 is tender until some osteopathic physician 
 presses directly on the spot. 
 
 — M. E. Clark, D.O. 
 
 C46] 
 
THE POINT OF DEPARTURE 
 
 BETWEEN OSTEOPATHY 
 
 AND MEDICINE 
 
 [Reprinted by permission from the Osteopathic Magazine] 
 
 I felt I must anchor my boat to living truths 
 and follow them wheresoever they might drift. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
The recognition of pressure as the cause and 
 continuation of disease, and the adoption of 
 manipulative measures for the relief of such 
 pressure, are the essential characteristics that 
 differentiate Osteopathy from all of the other 
 therapeutic systems. Adjustment is the key- 
 note of Osteopathy. 
 
 — J. W. Banning, M.D., D.O. 
 
 i 
 
THE POINT OF DEPARTURE 
 BETWEEN OSTEOPATHY 
 AND MEDICINE 
 
 By E. E. tucker, D.O. 
 
 IN an open hearing before a committee of the 
 State legislature of New Jersey, a question 
 was asked by one of the members of the committee 
 that went unanswered. 
 
 ^^What/^ said he, '^is the point of departure 
 between Osteopathy and medicine?'^ 
 
 If we are right in believing that all who think at 
 all about Osteopathy ask themselves consciously 
 or unconsciously the same question, then the 
 answer will be pertinent here. 
 
 The most conspicuous point of departure is 
 that the doctor of medicine gives medicine, the 
 osteopathic physician does not, but instead cor- 
 rects structural disorders, which the medical doctor 
 does not, and leaves the rest to Nature. Many 
 things they have in common, that is, they both 
 correct bad habits, advise diet, use surgery 
 occasionally, etc. 
 
 In his mind the average man asks why this 
 
 [49] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 is a point of departure? Are the two schools 
 compatible? 
 
 They are incompatible. And they are incom- 
 patible practically, psychologically, historically, 
 educationally, scientifically, and philosophically. 
 
 PRACTICAL POINT OF DEPARTURE 
 
 The osteopathic physician corrects disorders 
 because he finds them. No other reason need be 
 given. And he leaves the rest to Nature because 
 he finds that that is all that is necessary. A 
 purely practical thing is the practice of Oste- 
 opathy. The practice of medicine, on the other 
 hand, uses medicines because it ^^ believes'' in 
 them and because the authority of its school 
 teaches them; that is to say, because such is the 
 traditional practice of that profession. It is not 
 because medicines have been found efficient. 
 What the medical world really has found out about 
 medicines is — that it has to keep on changing 
 them, and hunting for new ones. 
 
 PSYCHOLOGICAL 
 
 Is the use of the word ^^ belief '' here justifiable? 
 I think it is, and incidentally it brings us to the 
 psychological point of departure. ^^ Belief in 
 drugs is buried centuries deep in the mind of the 
 whole people. When some man becomes a doctor 
 
THE POINT OF DEPARTURE 
 
 of medicine, he carries this beUef with him. It 
 takes years of practical experience to shake it. 
 As fast as the behef is destroyed at the top it is 
 renewed again at the bottom. 
 
 Also one believes in what one does. The belief 
 in drugs is a natural consequence, as well as the 
 cause, of giving them. 
 
 No fault is to be found with the medical pro- 
 fession for this. The medical profession is merely 
 that part of the great public which devotes itself 
 to the care and the cure of disease along traditional 
 lines. The fault, if it is a fault at all, is to be 
 attributed to human nature — mystery-loving, 
 miracle-loving, conservative — living nine-tenths 
 in the shadows it has itself made. 
 
 HISTORICAL 
 
 The historical point of departure dates from the 
 very beginning of Osteopathy. It was rejected 
 by the medical profession. Dr. Still proclaimed 
 his new discoveries to his brother practitioners 
 of medicine of that time and place, and has con- 
 tinued to present them ever since. They were 
 and are rejected as being impossible and absurd; 
 which means that they are incompatible with the 
 training of the medical mind and with the practice 
 of the medical school. 
 
 Compelled thus to grow up outside the medical 
 school, the new practice nevertheless continued 
 
 [51] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 to develop until it became both a separate pro- 
 fession and a separate science. It cured and 
 continued to cure those who came to it, many of 
 whom thereupon became practitioners — prac- 
 titioners on whom medicine and surgery had 
 failed — and these helped to emphasize the 
 difference between medicine and Osteopathy. 
 
 The strongest point in the historical departure 
 was this, that Osteopathy had an opportunity at 
 first with only those on whom medicines had 
 failed; whereas medicine handled all cases as they 
 came, of whom at least eighty-five per cent recover 
 anyw^ay, with or without medicine; for which 
 nevertheless medicine gets credit. Thus only in 
 the case of Osteopathy was there a fair test of 
 value. This test was immensely favorable to the 
 new system. 
 
 Its success, however, did not bring about the 
 glad acclaim of the medical practitioners. Instead 
 it hardened their hearts. Nor is this to be charged 
 against them as a bad mark. It is not medical, it 
 is human. 
 
 We are not under the necessity of apologizing 
 for human nature; but it marks a point of depar- 
 ture between Osteopathy and medicine. 
 
 EDUCATIONAL 
 
 In its growth, therefore. Osteopathy followed 
 the lines of least resistance and grew up a separate 
 
 [52] 
 
THE POINT OF DEPARTURE 
 
 system; though it is a matter of fact that another 
 medical practitioner, from Edinburgh, a fellow of 
 the Royal Society of Edinburgh, was farseeing 
 enough to put the pressure of his undoubtedly 
 great genius behind the anti-medical tendencies, 
 to establish the independence of Osteopathy as 
 firmly as he could. This man was William Smith, 
 M. D., C. L., F. R. S. E., D. O. — of which titles 
 he valued the last the most. 
 
 Far from being a disaster, this absolute division 
 proved to be the finest thing possible for the new 
 science. If, by new methods, the old ones could 
 be shown unnecessary, then was the world so 
 much the gainer; for the old ones were at all 
 times dangerous, and, with the least incompetence, 
 deadlier than the disease. 
 
 Thus the educational departure of the new 
 system became absolute. This enabled the new 
 system to carry its measures to the highest possible 
 efficiency. 
 
 SCIENTIFIC 
 
 As to the scientific point of departure, a scientific 
 criticism of Osteopathy by the medical profession 
 was never made. This was at first galling to 
 many members of the osteopathic profession, but 
 it need not have been. The last possible thing 
 that a crowd or any mass of men, or even a pro- 
 fession, is capable of, is scientific thinking. Science 
 is an individual matter. With the mass of men, 
 
 [53] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 taken as a whole, it is an art. And one art is 
 typically jealous of the other arts. This the 
 public does not see, of course, and it seems that 
 the legal mind does not see it any more easily; 
 for it has tried persistently to compel the two to 
 mix. 
 
 But the science of Osteopathy also has its 
 exclusiveness; and in spite of the excellence of 
 many scientific minds in the medical profession, 
 it is impossible for the science of Osteopathy to 
 lessen the rigidity of its scientific exclusiveness. 
 First the medical profession practically rejected 
 the science of Osteopathy. Then finding itself 
 isolated and defined, the osteopathic profession 
 found also that it had in hand a science that would 
 not mix with medicine. This is in no sense a 
 personal or a professional matter — it is not the 
 act of a man or men — it is a question of science. 
 The osteopathic profession found its science posi- 
 tive. It found that it could harmonize its positive 
 findings with the positive pathology of general 
 science, and with its own therapeutic measures. 
 It found that it could not harmonize the definite 
 and positive facts and principles of its science 
 with the guesswork of the medical practice. Os- 
 teopathy was positive and exceedingly helpful. 
 Where its helpfulness failed and its logic would not 
 reach, there it was admissible to have recourse to 
 experiment again, as the world had always done 
 
 [54] 
 
THE POINT OF DEPARTURE 
 
 — had always had to do. But in so far as there 
 was a definite and positive thing, experimental 
 practice was simply shoved farther away from 
 the problem of disease. 
 
 So long as the medical profession held the 
 medical system to be fundamental, to be curative 
 and not merely experimental, to be positive and 
 not merely palliative or an emergency system, so 
 long was no compromise possible. This is, of 
 course, a matter between the professions, not 
 between the sciences. Science is impersonal and 
 cannot take sides. It is a matter for proof, not 
 for warfare; science cannot disagree with science. 
 Scientists may dispute with scientists, however, 
 and will to the end of time. 
 
 In practice, as all of the world knows, from the 
 beginning up to the present time, the majority 
 of the medical profession has acted upon this 
 principle; it has claimed exclusive rights in thera- 
 peutics and in authority. It has again and again 
 shown an inability to develop self-criticism. This 
 is not the fault of the men but of the system, or 
 perhaps one might say, of human nature. The 
 whole spirit of the miracle-search is opposed to 
 pure science or any science. Mystery and miracle 
 go hand in hand. 
 
 But granting this fault in the philosophy and 
 in the practice of medicine, is there yet no basis 
 on which any of the great mass of work done by 
 
 [55] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 medical men can be made available — can be found 
 compatible with the osteopathic science? The 
 omission of materia medica from osteopathic 
 schools does not mean the omission of surgical 
 and sanitary medicines nor is it to be understood 
 as meaning necessarily a denial of any truth or 
 value in materia medica. Science cannot take 
 negative attitudes. It is, however, a very positive 
 assertion of the superior value of osteopathic 
 means and of the greater need of developing 
 those means. 
 
 The contrast must be made between the tradi- 
 tional practice of medicine and the wonderfully 
 valuable research work being done in the medical 
 laboratories. Of this latter it is impossible to 
 speak in terms of too high praise. The devotion 
 and ability there has brought this age a degree of 
 progress which must, when true perspective is 
 obtained, stamp it as the great therapeutic age. 
 The research that is of value, however, is that in 
 physiology, biology, bio-chemistry and surgery, 
 rather than in medicine. All the progress in 
 medicine that is of value has come through 
 surgery. Sanitation is a department of surgery, 
 as are the wonderful agencies for the deadening 
 of pain. In all of this Osteopathy rejoices and 
 profits. 
 
 C56] 
 
THE POINT OF DEPARTURE 
 
 PHILOSOPHICAL ^ 
 
 The philosophical point of departure is no less 
 definite and absolute. 
 
 In medicines and other systems we have experi- 
 mental methods for curing diseases. Whether 
 it be drugs or electricity or hydrotherapy or 
 psychotherapy or any form of therapy, they are 
 all attempts to make a wide or universal applica- 
 tion of a thing that proved good in some cases. 
 They are entirely experimental methods, merely 
 trying for further results with little reference to 
 causes, processes and laws which are almost entirely 
 unknown. 
 
 They prove themselves mere methods, because 
 they adopt other experimental methods and find 
 no incompatibility in doing so. They prove 
 themselves experimental methods in the very 
 criticism their exponents make of Osteopathy, 
 being unable to see in it anything but another 
 mere method. 
 
 In contrast to these experimental methods 
 stands the osteopathic practice, based on the actual 
 facts discovered in the individual case, agreeing 
 with biology and explaining pathology; moving 
 not at all until it finds disorder and then only 
 
 ^ PHILOSOPHICAL is here used in its commonly accepted 
 meaning as pertaining to the knowledge of the causes of all 
 phenomena both of mind and matter, rather than in its strictly 
 technical sense. — Ed. 
 
 [57] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 moving to correct this disorder and not allowing 
 itself to be drawn into mere guesswork, preferring 
 rather to leave all to the understanding of Nature 
 except in so far as it can remove the causes of 
 disease. 
 
 These two contrasting systems cannot live 
 together in the same mind. Those schooled in 
 experimental methods who have sufficiently con- 
 sidered the osteopathic doctrines are convinced 
 by them, and become osteopathic physicians and 
 cease to be ^^ believers'^ in medicine or ^^ believers'' 
 in anything else; but rise to the higher scientific 
 plane of working with the facts and trusting in 
 them. 
 
 Osteopathic philosophy is based absolutely 
 upon this principle. It considers no move justifi- 
 able until that move can be based upon knowledge. 
 It considers it rarely justifiable to interfere with 
 or to suspend Nature's processes, for which she 
 has reason; or to nullify her laws, which are the 
 conditions under which she moves. The worst 
 possible travesty of science, the most pessimistic, 
 indeed the most atheistic and chaotic attitude 
 toward Nature, is that which justifies blind experi- 
 ment in an ordered physiological being. No 
 justification can be found for experimental 
 methods, except in the absolute lack of sufficient 
 knowledge of cause and effect, and then only in 
 the effort to find such cause and effect. In fact, 
 
 [58] 
 
THE POINT OF DEPARTURE 
 
 this effort is continued only because the pubhc 
 demands that some effort be made to cure or to 
 discover a cure for their diseases. 
 
 The philosophy of the medical system, if it 
 can be said to have a philosophy, seems to have 
 been based upon the doctrine that everything 
 made by the Creator was made for some purpose. 
 
 Possibly most of us would agree with this, 
 but when the medical profession goes on to assume 
 that He put ready to our hands all the herbs of 
 the field and all of the chemical and other forces 
 of nature, therefore He meant that these be 
 used for our relief in disease, we most heartily 
 disagree. The logical fault of such a doctrine is 
 that it has no virtue. As well say, twice two is 
 a pot of beans. It has been broad enough, 
 however, to justify almost any conceivable vagary 
 that any dreamer with the medical degree could 
 devise. 
 
 This philosophy can hardly be called a philoso- 
 phy. It is merely an inheritance. What the 
 facts really are is as follows: In so far as it is a 
 mystery the only way to reach it is through 
 experiments. The public demands that some 
 effort be made, and it loves miracles. The search 
 for specific remedies is the search for a miracle. 
 Mystery and miracle go hand in hand and must 
 forever go hand in hand. This miracle idea is a 
 lineal descendant of the Philosopher's Stone, with 
 
 [59] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 which students of history are familiar, the parent 
 of alchemy and through alchemy the parent of 
 medicine. The survival is not a science but a 
 psychological phenomenon; not a fault of any 
 group of men but an expression of human nature. 
 
 In contrast with this, the philosophy of Os- 
 teopathy asserts that since the majority of 
 mankind remains healthy under given conditions, 
 and one or two become sick under these condi- 
 tions, therefore the power exists in the organism 
 to remain healthy, and the reason why illness 
 arises in some cases and not in others is to be 
 sought for in some difference in those individuals. 
 That difference is hunted for and found; and on 
 it is built the practice of Osteopathy. Nature 
 does not create functions to exist only as diseases. 
 When disease does arise, it presents a question 
 for determining what are the compelling causes. 
 These compelling causes were found by Dr, 
 Andrew Taylor Still to consist of actual disor- 
 ders in the parts of the body. As such they 
 were studied. Thus developed the science of 
 Osteopathy. 
 
 The philosophy of Osteopathy is the philosophy 
 of fact. The osteopathic profession makes a 
 positive diagnosis of actual disorders found in 
 the structure of the body, affecting its functional 
 balance. It makes a positive claim of being able 
 to remove such disorders. It shows in terms of 
 
 [60] 
 
THE POINT OF DEPARTURE 
 
 known physiology the relation between the dis- 
 orders and the result. In most cases it presents 
 records (made by men capable of making such 
 records), of benefit or of cure, from the removal 
 of these causes. 
 
 The great point of departure then between 
 Osteopathy and medicine is that between a 
 practical fact and experimental practice. 
 
 [61] 
 
In Osteopathy not only was there an evolution 
 hut there was a revolution. Every system of 
 treatment previously developed had been de- 
 signed primarily to combat effects. Dr. 
 Stiirs great work lies in the determination 
 of cause, and through a knowledge of that 
 cause, the application of an effective treat- 
 ment. 
 
 — G. D. HuLETT, B.S.. D.O. 
 
 [62] 
 
DISEASE FROM AN OSTEOPATHIC 
 VIEWPOINT 
 
 Pleprinted by permission from the Journal of Osteopathy] 
 
 God^s pay for labor and time is truth and truth 
 
 only. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
Osteopathy walks hand in hand with nothing 
 hut Nature^ s laws and for that reason alone 
 it marks the most significant progress in the 
 history of scientific research. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
DISEASE FROM AN OSTEOPATHIC 
 VIEWPOINT 
 
 By M. F. HULETT, B.S., D.O. 
 
 THE history of medicine is a record of empirical 
 practice upon an all too credulous public. 
 Hoping for relief we grab at a straw. Promise of 
 cure, though without a semblance of reason back 
 of it, like the candle light to the moth, lures its 
 victims by the thousands, heedless of the conse- 
 quences. Unfortunately, disease has been too 
 little understood — and its remedy less so. Too 
 long has it been considered that disease is a 
 mysterious, devouring monster, separate and 
 distinct from bodily mechanism — an invader, 
 usurper on a mission of destruction. Very 
 naturally, with this conception as a premise, the 
 search for curative measures has been largely 
 confined to attempts to discover some agency 
 that would drive out, absorb or annihilate this 
 grim terror. This search is largely the history of 
 medical therapeutics, its nostrums, its poisonous 
 compounds, its serums, its germicides and much 
 of its surgery, all pointing with unerring aim 
 
 [65] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 to such a conclusion. Something, however, has 
 been done in recent years on a more rational 
 basis; but even yet not a small amount of this 
 ancient superstition still remains. 
 
 It is a hopeful sign, however, to observe that 
 the foundation of this false therapeutic structure 
 is being undermined — is crumbling away. We 
 are searching more deeply into the cause and 
 studying less the effect (except as it points to a 
 cause) and its remedy. It is gratifjdng to note, 
 too, that this change is largely co-existent with 
 the origin and development of Osteopathy. This 
 science, making less prominent the effect, the 
 symptom, and being satisfied with nothing short 
 of the discovery of a first and primary cause, 
 has done more to bring about a better under- 
 standing of the ^^ human machine '^ in its relation 
 to diseased (or disordered) conditions than any 
 other one therapeutic system. Its viewpoint is 
 from an entirely different field and we will en- 
 deavor to demonstrate that it has a more rational 
 basis. 
 
 In order to understand better this new concep- 
 tion, let us for the moment forget all about 
 Osteopathy which may, in our individual 
 interpretation of its meaning, seem vague and 
 indefinable, and, without being prejudiced, con- 
 sider in a rational way a few well-known physio-^ 
 logical principles. 
 
 [66] 
 
AN OSTEOPATHIC VIEWPOINT 
 
 Bodily tissues, muscles, glands, organs, etc. 
 (without nerves to govern their actions) are inert, 
 mere masses of matter, unresponsive and lifeless. 
 Every movement of the body is the result of 
 muscular contraction — an approximation of the 
 different points to which the muscle is attached. 
 But the muscle cannot contract itself; it has no 
 inherent power to act, it lies there dormant until 
 put into motion by an independent force. This 
 force, generated in the brain, or other subsidiary 
 center of origin, is transmitted along the nerve 
 especially created for it to its point of action. 
 Without this impulse, or stimulus, the muscle is 
 helpless. This is true of all muscular contraction 
 and is demonstrable beyond any question. A 
 similar phenomenon is undoubtedly true of all 
 other functions. For instance, the stomach 
 secretes certain digestive fluids. In this process 
 of secretion, the secreting gland acts, as does the 
 muscle, only when influenced by the nerve impulse 
 starting from its center of origin and terminating 
 in the gland. In like manner, we can logically 
 assume that every other tissue and organ exhibits 
 similar phenomena. Even the blood and lymph 
 circulation, on which bodily health so much 
 depends, is similarly controlled. The heart, the 
 greatest propelling force, is a muscular organ 
 acting as do other muscles. The walls of the 
 blood channels are everywhere supplied with 
 
 [67] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 muscles and their governing nerves control their 
 calibre, thereby regulating the quantity of fluid 
 passing through them. Knowing these facts by 
 practical experiment upon most of the bodily 
 tissues, we dare assert that all function is governed 
 by nerve stimulus, originating in the brain — or 
 similar subsidiary center — and transmitted 
 through the nerve to the organ or part. 
 
 With this conception of physiological function, 
 we reasonably assume that health exists when 
 functional life is normal — when the organ or 
 part is in action in response to a normal nerve 
 stimulus and that disease is the result of the 
 opposite condition — a friction of parts, an 
 interrupted nerve current and other causes to 
 which these are contributory. 
 
 But why the opposite condition, this abnormal 
 action? Let us consider for a moment a condition 
 that might produce this friction, or interference 
 with the nerve current. The human machine, 
 as are other machines, is subject to certain me- 
 chanical laws which must be obeyed. On account 
 of its delicate structure and sensitive nature, it 
 is even more susceptible to a violation of these 
 laws than is the mere mechanical device. A 
 disturbance of the relation of the parts, even 
 though slight, produces friction somewhere, or 
 impedes or restricts the nerve current. This 
 done, function is impaired or ceases in the organ 
 
 [68] 
 
AN OSTEOPATHIC VIEWPOINT 
 
 supplied by that nerve. The products of that 
 organ become deficient in quantity or quality — 
 often in both — or its power to excrete the poison- 
 ous bodily waste ceases. Disease results with 
 severity in direct proportion to the importance of 
 the function impaired, to the amount of destroyed 
 tissue, or according to the amount of poisonous 
 matter retained in the system. To restore health, 
 function must be re-established. How shall this 
 be done? We might cut away the diseased part; 
 we might cauterize the area involved and cleanse 
 it. But if we do nothing to re-establish the 
 function, to adjust the structure interfering with 
 that function, continued or progressive destruction 
 must follow. 
 
 There is only one way in which tissue can be 
 reconstructed. The work must be done by the 
 natural tissue-building properties of the body, 
 the normal blood and lymph and the products of 
 digestion properly assimilated. No medicine wall 
 do this for the organ. The most expert chemist, 
 with any possible combination of drugs cannot 
 construct tissue — no drug or combination of 
 drugs will build tissue. In order to heal a wound 
 there must be brought to it, through the natural 
 channels of the body, the tissue-building materials, 
 food elements, the product of digestion. 
 
 Obstructions are referred to above. l^Tiat are 
 they? Why do they exist? How do they origi- 
 
 [69] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 nate? What effect have they on functional life? 
 For the purpose of this article reference to one 
 class will suffice. The spine is composed of a 
 number of bones, vertebrae, one upon the other, 
 being so perforated that together they form a bony 
 canal in which lies the spinal cord. A joint is 
 formed at the juncture of each pair of adjacent 
 bony segments of the spine. The spine, therefore, 
 is a series of joints as well. Now the function 
 of a joint is motion. This is what it is created 
 for — movement. Sometimes this motion is im- 
 peded; sometimes it ceases altogether. Strains 
 and injuries of various nature induce inflammatory 
 action, forming adhesions or producing thickening 
 of the component parts of the joints. This is 
 one form of obstruction. The result is disease — 
 disorder. But this obstruction in itself is not 
 necessarily a serious condition. The stiffness of 
 a single joint of the spine need not interfere with 
 much bodily activity. The bending of the spine 
 is not an absolutely essential element in life. 
 But passing between adjacent vertebrae are two 
 nerves, one on either side, the media through 
 which is transmitted the energy governing other 
 and often much more important functions. As the 
 joint becomes restricted, ligaments around it con- 
 tract and harden, excretions infiltrate the tissues 
 and disturb or decrease the size of the passage in 
 which the nerves lie to such an extent that all 
 
 [70] 
 
AN OSTEOPATHIC VIEWPOINT 
 
 nerve energy may there be dissipated. The 
 organ supphed by such nerve, therefore, becomes 
 inactive — its function ceases and its individual 
 life is impaired. Again, since the spinal cord 
 receives its blood supply — nutrition — through 
 these same openings, most serious damage may 
 result from a lack of blood there and a conse- 
 quently starved nervous system. 
 
 Impaired motion of the spinal joints and the 
 accompanying hindrance to the spinal cord circu- 
 lation are not the only obstructions that may 
 exist. Strains and contractions of muscles often 
 cause various irregularities of the joints. A single 
 vertebra may be ^^ slipped" to the side (of course 
 only slightly, otherwise severing the cord or 
 causing a pressure upon it sufficient to produce 
 paralysis at that point), a rotation may exist, or a 
 slip or rotation of a series of vertebrae — thereby 
 irritating, directly or indirectly, the nerves passing 
 from the spinal cord, by drawing tight the verte- 
 bral ligaments. 
 
 Thus far, it has been the aim of the writer to 
 make plain one form of 'lesion" — ^^ perverted 
 structure which by pressure or other irritation 
 produces or maintains functional disorder.'^ It is 
 not the intention so to confine the subject. There 
 are other forms of lesion, many of them; but to 
 go into detail with each class, since the principle 
 is generally applicable, is useless. 
 
 [71] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 The osteopathic viewpoint, therefore, is based 
 in general upon the principle that '^structure 
 (anatomical relations) determines function. '^ 
 Health exists when there is harmony in structure. 
 Disease follows disordered relations; or disease 
 is the result of (first) structural derangement 
 which inevitably produces (second) perverted or 
 suspended function. (The writer is aware that 
 abuse may modify function thereby originating 
 pathological conditions, but that phase of the 
 subject cannot be considered in the brief space 
 allowed for this subject.) 
 
 Osteopathic therapeutics, therefore, depends 
 upon the mechanical principle of adjustment of 
 structure. It contemplates that the bodily func- 
 tions are maintained by the harmonious, unre- 
 stricted action of all parts. The presence of 
 disease indicates primarily structural derangement 
 — interference with the free action of the vital 
 forces. To locate this derangement, together 
 with a consideration of all its associated conse- 
 quences, constitutes the substance of the Osteo- 
 path's diagnosis. Then, his therapeutics is an 
 adjustment, by manual operations, of that abnor- 
 mal structure, adapted to the individual condition 
 and varying according to the particular needs. 
 When this adjustment is secured, by the removal 
 of the obstruction and a consequent liberation 
 of nerve energy — a restoration to normal func- 
 
 [72] 
 
AN OSTEOPATHIC VIEWPOINT 
 
 tion — nature rebuilds or restores the weakened 
 tissue. 
 
 Nature always tends toward the normal so 
 long as she has freedom of action. Her power 
 to do this is inherent. There is no external force 
 which will supply her demands in artificial doses. 
 She needs no tonic or stimulant — no whip. 
 All that is required is the freedom of action with 
 which she was originally endov/ed by an all-wise 
 Creator. 
 
 [73] 
 
Dr. Still found that manipulation of the spinal 
 column and its dependent tissues produced 
 certain startling and special reactions, and 
 this was strikingly the case whenever there 
 was in the backbone any visible or palpable 
 irregularity, lesion or deflection. His studies 
 of the spinal mechanism led him to the con- 
 viction that virtually all so-called diseases, 
 pains, symptoms and so on, were indirectly 
 caused by these spinal lesions. 
 
 — M. A. Lane, B.Sc. 
 
 [74] 
 
WHAT OSTEOPATHIC LESIONS 
 ARE 
 
 [Reprinted from the Stillonian] 
 From Notes on a Lecture Delivered to the Stillonians 
 
 Man, the most complex, intricate and delicately 
 constructed machine of all creation, is the one 
 with which the Osteopath must become familiar. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
Osteopathy is the practical knowledge of how 
 man is made and how to right him when he 
 gets wrong. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
WHAT OSTEOPATHIC LESIONS 
 ARE 
 
 By G. M. LAUGHLIN, M.S.D., D.O. 
 
 FROM an osteopathic point of view, a lesion 
 is any abnormality of structure which inter- 
 feres with function. Do not get the idea that 
 these lesions are great big things, that there 
 must be a dislocated vertebra or rib, or a spinal 
 curvature or some great abnormality in order to 
 constitute a lesion. There are comparatively 
 few lesions of that kind. When there is the least 
 particle of abnormality of position of spinal 
 structure or when there is a change in the relation 
 of bones, Ugaments and muscles, these conditions 
 constitute lesions. We may have a rotation of a 
 vertebra and that is a lesion; we may have a 
 curvature of the spine and that is a lesion; we 
 may have a straight spine and that is a lesion; 
 a rigid spine, hardened or tensed muscles all con- 
 stitute lesions. They are all lesions because they 
 are abnormal structural conditions and interfere 
 with the origin and transmission of nerve force. 
 
 We must recognize that the nervous structure 
 is the master structure; nerve tissue the master 
 
 [77] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 tissue. When there is anything wrong with the 
 nerve impulses, some disturbance of function is 
 going to occur. You all know that the nervous 
 system is very much like an electric-light plant. 
 The impulses originating in the central portion 
 of the nervous system, the brain and spinal cord, 
 are transmitted all over the body. The brain is 
 the dynamo, the nerve fibers are the wires. In 
 the electric-plant, if the dynamo should get out 
 of fix, we could have no light; so if something is 
 wrong with the nutrition to the brain or spinal 
 cord; the impulses will not be normal. If the 
 wires are broken or short circuited, the light goes 
 out; so with the nervous system, if the nerves are 
 impinged upon or irritated, of course there will 
 be interference with function — the impulses will 
 not be normal. 
 
 In order to have good digestion, good elimina- 
 tion, etc., we must have the proper distribution 
 of nerve force and no interference with the nerves 
 after they leave the central nervous system. Any 
 of the lesions spoken of might interfere with the 
 nutrition to the central system where the nerve 
 cells are located. The spinal cord and brain 
 must be nourished with good blood. The blood 
 carries nutrition from the gastro-intestinal tract 
 to the central nervous system. If there is any 
 interference to the blood supply on account of 
 spinal lesions, the nervous impulses will be weak 
 
 [78] 
 
OSTEOPATHIC LESIONS 
 
 and the individual will not have good health. 
 Wherever there is a lesion, there is obstruction; 
 interference with the intervertebral foramina, 
 interference with the vaso-motor nerves which 
 control circulation and interference with the 
 central nervous system. 
 
 We find the principal cause for most of our 
 chronic ailments to be either reduction of vitality 
 at the nerve center due to interference with 
 nutrition or some mechanical interference with 
 the nerves themselves. 
 
 All lesions found along the spine do not result 
 from injury or trauma. Some do, of course, but 
 most of them come on slowly; not in a day or a 
 week and not because we step into a hole or fall. 
 Most of them come on slowly and may be two, 
 three, four, five or even twenty years in develop- 
 ing. Then how did they come about? Strain is 
 one cause, overwork, exposure and many times 
 infectious diseases, where the individual is ex- 
 tremely ill for a period of time; all these are 
 causative factors which will produce a warping 
 and twisting of the spinal column and bring about 
 mal adjustment. Chronic diseases come on as a 
 result of these slowly developing lesions. 
 
 In practically all cases where there is lesion, 
 there is limitation of motion. The question is 
 sometimes asked, ^^How are lesions maintained? '^ 
 I have made the statement that we do not have 
 
 [79] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 complete dislocation in order to have lesion, but 
 limitation of motion which interferes with nutri- 
 tion to the nervous system. As the lesion de- 
 velops, the abnormal position produces a local 
 irritation or inflammation. New tissue forms 
 about the site of the lesion, causing adhesions at 
 that point, and as these adhesions thicken, the 
 ligaments and muscles lose their elasticity, stiffen 
 and harden, maintaining the lesion. 
 
 In chronic diseases, by breaking up the adhe- 
 sions, where there is fibrous tissue formed; by 
 the establishment of motion, where motion is 
 indicated, and by the correction of structure, we 
 remove the interference to the nutrition to the 
 nervous system so that impulses may be properly 
 originated and properly transmitted and the 
 organs perform their normal functions. 
 
 [80] 
 
MANNER OF TREATMENT 
 
 Find it, fix it, and leave it alone. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
Osteopathic treatment is scientific in that it 
 recognizes the relation between cause and effect 
 in disease^ and seeks to remove the cause rather 
 than to treat the symptoms — the effects of the 
 disease. 
 
 — Orren E. Smith, D.O. 
 
MANNER OF TREATMENT 
 
 By G. V. WEBSTER, D.O. 
 
 THE object of osteopathic manipulations being 
 largely to adjust the bony structures of the 
 body to their proper relative position for the 
 purpose of removing interference to the physiologi- 
 cal action of organs and to promote the cure of 
 disease, the manner of procedure is of interest. 
 
 The first consideration is the establishment of 
 a correct diagnosis of the pathological condition, 
 to which end the usual methods of physical and 
 laboratory diagnosis may be employed. Having 
 located the seat of the pathological condition and 
 the extent of organic changes in the tissues of the 
 body as far as possible, the next step is the analysis 
 of the cause which might have led to the per- 
 verted functioning or to the organic change, 
 determining whether motion, sensation or nutrition 
 be interfered with. The avenues of travel for the 
 impulses controlling each of these functions that 
 may be found disturbed are then searched for 
 possible cause of interruptions to the normal 
 movement of such impulses, or for reflexes that 
 might divert or augment them. The nerves and 
 
 [83] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 blood vessels being seldom subject to abnormal 
 pressure while passing through the softer tissues 
 of the body, it is but reasonable to suppose that 
 the most likely point of mechanical interference 
 is at some point where they come into relation 
 with the denser structures of the body. It is 
 then the duty of the Osteopath to examine closely 
 the relation of the vertebrae, ribs, innominates, 
 etc., to find the exact point or points of inter- 
 ference to the forces that present evidence of 
 disordered physiological action in the case at 
 hand. In this the osteopathic method is peculiar, 
 individual and distinct from all other methods 
 of examination. The usual physical examination 
 for the determination of the organ functioning 
 improperly, guides the Osteopath to certain 
 definite points along the spine where the nerves 
 controlling that function center and, on the other 
 hand, should the Osteopath make the spinal 
 examination first his findings of structural devia- 
 tions there would, according to their location, 
 indicate to him more or less accurately the organs 
 whose functions are disturbed. 
 
 So much for the diagnosis, and having estab- 
 lished the same both pathologically and osteo- 
 pathically, the Osteopath proceeds to treat the 
 case along osteopathic lines in accordance with 
 the findings, or he may refer the case to the best 
 means available for the care of the conditions, 
 
 [84] 
 
MANNER OF TREATMENT 
 
 whether it be surgical, institutional or otherwise, 
 as may be indicated. 
 
 Proceeding with the osteopathic treatment, 
 for that concerns us most at this point, the patient, 
 dressed in clothing that will permit of freedom of 
 motion to the spine and extremities, occupies a 
 sitting or reclining posture that will afford the 
 greatest ease of operation for the physician and 
 will allow muscular relaxation of the parts to be 
 adjusted. The Osteopath uses his hands to make 
 the adjustments. From his knowledge of the 
 structures of the body and the relation of the 
 parts under operation, he chooses a point to be 
 used for a fulcrum, while the leverage necessary 
 to place the structures in their proper relative 
 position is usually obtained by the use as a lever 
 of one or more of the bones adjacent to the point 
 of lesion, or structural abnormality, which is the 
 object of his attention. Not so much force as 
 skill is required to bring about the adjustment 
 desired. Each particular lesion requires a certain 
 definite fulcrum or fulcrums and a certain definite 
 lever or leverages used singly or successively to 
 move the structures to their normal position. 
 
 The technique of each osteopathic adjustment 
 is exceedingly complex and difficult of proper 
 execution, requiring, as it does, a highly sensitive 
 touch, complete knowledge of the structures and 
 their physiological relations at the seat of the 
 
 [85] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 operation, judgment as to the placing of the ful- 
 crum and the choice of levers, acquaintance with 
 the laws of mechanics governing the use of levers, 
 consideration as to the amount of energy necessary 
 to operate the levers used to bring about adjust- 
 ment without producing pain or discomfort for 
 the patient. All these and more the osteopathic 
 physician must bring to bear with skill upon each 
 problem of adjustment that he attempts to solve. 
 Every movement that the physician makes dur- 
 ing each manipulative procedure is done with a 
 certain definite end in view according to the needs 
 presented by the situation. Nothing is done by 
 rote, the individual case requires definite and 
 specific treatment, whether it be to secure the 
 adjustment of one vertebra or a dozen that may 
 be out of normal position. 
 
 The question is often asked how many treat- 
 ments, corrections or attempts to correct a given 
 lesion, may be necessary before it will remain in 
 normal position, and it is a very difficult question 
 to answer, there being so many factors concerned 
 in the cause and maintenance of these structural 
 perversions. Practically speaking, each case is 
 a law unto itself. A single correction, which being 
 afterwards maintained, has given Osteopathy 
 many a glorious victory over disease. On the 
 other hand, in old curvatures for instance, where 
 there is change in form as well as in position of 
 
 [86] 
 
MANNER OF TREATMENT 
 
 the vertebrae, no number of attempts at correction 
 could be crowned with perfect success. Often 
 the ligaments about the lesion have thickened as 
 the result of inflammatory changes, just as they 
 do about any sprained joint, in which case the 
 Osteopath is confronted with a problem that will 
 take time and repeated efforts at correction to 
 successfully solve. Other things being equal, the 
 relief of functional disturbance or the benefit 
 given organic disease is usually in direct proportion 
 to the degree of success obtained in the correction 
 of the lesions, provided, of course, that the organic 
 changes have not progressed beyond all possibility 
 of help from natural sources. 
 
 The length of time necessary for a treatment 
 varies according to the needs of the case at hand, 
 and the dispatch with which the physician is able 
 to recognize such need and apply suitable remedial 
 measures. In a case presenting a single twisted 
 rib that is manifestly the sole source of functional 
 disorder, it would be folly to spend time in going 
 through motions about the other ribs. The single 
 rib might be adjusted in a minute or two. On the 
 other hand, it would be equally as unwise to con- 
 fine the attentions to one rib when several ribs or 
 vertebrae are concerned in the lesion. Here again 
 each case is a law unto itself and the judgment of 
 the practitioner must interpret the law. 
 
 There are those who are burdened with the idea 
 
 [87] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 that osteopathic treatment is strenuous, rough 
 and painful, and from certain quarters this idea is 
 encouraged by statements to the effect that only 
 the strong can withstand the treatment. However, 
 the truth is that the treatments are gauged to 
 meet the needs of the patient whether it be a babe, 
 a feeble old person or an athlete. Here is where 
 the Osteopath's judgment is called into play to 
 meet the condition of the patient, as is a medical 
 physician's judgment in the choice of dosage. 
 Even the most skillful operator cannot promise to 
 work always without discomfort or pain to his 
 patient, but if he is conscientious, he will accom- 
 plish the end desired with the least possible dis- 
 comfort to his patient. Points that are extremely 
 sensitive to the touch because of the conditions 
 incident to the lesion or areas of inflammation, 
 are treated indirectly so that the pain of treat- 
 ment is minimized, but most osteopathic proce- 
 dures are not necessarily associated with pain. 
 
 With regard to the frequency of treatment for 
 the individual case, this too is a law unto itself. 
 In acute conditions several treatments within 
 twenty-four hours may be indicated. Others 
 may require treatment daily, and from that to 
 once weekly or only occasionally, according as 
 the need may be apparent. 
 
 Another question frequently asked is concerning 
 the corrections and the permanency of the results 
 
 [88] 
 
MANNER OF TREATMENT 
 
 of osteopathic work. Here nature assists the 
 physician with a tendency to maintain normal 
 structural and functional conditions. While the 
 same circumstances that produced the lesions in 
 the first place may operate to produce the same 
 again, yet with the tendency being toward the 
 normal and the patient instructed to avoid possible 
 repetition in the action of the forces that produced 
 the lesion, the results are largely of a permanent 
 nature, the improvement being both specific and 
 constitutional. 
 
 [89] 
 
It has been truly and wisely said that Dr. StilFs 
 one grand discovery as a practical therapist 
 was the fact that one human body, with all 
 its wonderful structure and function, with 
 all its marvelous resources and susceptibili- 
 ties, could be brought under the control of 
 another individual, who, with intelligent under- 
 standing of anatomy and the application of 
 the special technique worked out by Dr. Still, 
 could play upon the mechanism of that body 
 as the skilled performer plays upon the com- 
 plex musical instrument. 
 
 — M. A. Lane, B.Sc. 
 
 [90] 
 
A DIFFERENTIATION 
 
 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OSTEOPATHY 
 AND MASSAGE 
 
 — A. T. Still, M.D., D.O. 
 
 [Reprinted by permission from the Ladies' Home Journal] 
 
 AN ILLUSTRATION 
 
 — Asa Willard, D.O. 
 
 [Reprinted by permission from the Jom-nal of Osteopathy] 
 
 The Osteopath's business is to know the plumbing 
 oj the house of life. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
Merely to be able to manipulate no more con- 
 stitutes an Osteopath than the ability to hold 
 a knife makes a surgeon. 
 
 — Percy H. Woodall, D.O. 
 
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OSTEOP- 
 ATHY AND MASSAGE 
 
 By a. T. still, M.D., D.O. 
 
 OSTEOPATHY absolutely differs from mas- 
 sage. The definition of ' ^ Massage ' ' is masso, 
 to knead: shampooing of the body by special 
 manipulations, such as kneading, tapping, strok- 
 ing, etc. The masseur rubs and kneads the 
 muscles to increase the circulation. The Osteo- 
 path never rubs. He takes off any pressure on 
 blood-vessels or nerves by the adjustment of any 
 displacement, whether it be of a bone, cartilage 
 ligament, tendon, muscle, or even of the fascia 
 which enfolds all structures; also by relaxing any 
 contracture of muscle or ligament due to dis- 
 placements, to drafts causing colds, to overwork 
 or nerve exhaustion. The Osteopath knows the 
 various nerve-centers and how to treat them, in 
 order that the vaso-motor nerves can act upon the 
 blood-vessels, bringing about in a physiological 
 manner a normal heart-action and freeing up the 
 channels to and from the heart. The Osteopath 
 deals always with causes, has no '^ rules of action,'^ 
 as such, but applies reason to each case according 
 
 [93] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 to the conditions presented, treating no two cases 
 quite alike. He knows from past experience that 
 the effect seen is produced by a cause with which 
 he must deal in order to give relief. 
 
 The Osteopath is a physician. The masseur 
 does not take the responsibility of the full charge 
 of a diseased condition, but works under the 
 direction of a physician, and has to do with effects, 
 appljdng by rote to the body so much rubbing, so 
 much stroking, so much tapping, so much knead- 
 ing, etc., there being definite rules laid down appli- 
 cable to general cases. 
 
 Osteopathy is a science and an art also. It 
 includes a knowledge of anatomy, biology, physi- 
 ology, chemistry and pathology. Its therapeutics 
 are independent and original, and as extensive 
 as the entire medical and surgical fields. 
 
 AN ILLUSTRATION 
 
 By ASA WILLARD, D.O. 
 
 A BARBER and a surgeon both work on the 
 body with sharp instruments, yet their 
 work is different. A Homeopath is not an Allo- 
 path because they both use drugs. There is a 
 difference between the stone mason and the sculp- 
 tor. The masseur uses his hands in his work; 
 
 [94] 
 
A DIFFERENTIATION 
 
 SO does the Osteopath, and there the comparison 
 ends. 
 
 Massage is a system of movements, certain 
 slappings, rubbings and squeezings, done by rote 
 and learned in a few months. An Osteopath is a 
 trained physician seeking out the cause and re- 
 moving it. The masseur finds a limb congested 
 or badly nourished and goes about rubbing and 
 squeezing to stir up the stagnant circulation. 
 You could do this in the case of the arm which has 
 gone to sleep because it has been hanging over the 
 back of the chair, or the leg because it has been 
 crossed, but only temporary relief would be 
 afforded if the limb is not moved in such a manner 
 that the pressure upon the nerves and blood ves- 
 sels is removed. The Osteopath would seek out 
 the point where obstruction exists to these nerve 
 and blood currents, remove that obstruction and 
 open the channel. This done, he reasons that 
 the heart will propel the blood, and that the 
 nervous system will attend to its distribution in a 
 normal manner. He stretches muscles when nec- 
 essary; he relaxes ligaments and adjusts to their 
 normal relations bones, cartilages and other dense 
 structures, but he does not stroke and rub the 
 surface. 
 
 [95] 
 
The basic principle of Osteopathy is the basic 
 principle that runs through all nature. Ad- 
 justment is the basic principle of every 
 science. Osteopathy is a Science. It main- 
 tains the same relationship to the great family 
 of science that every other science does. It 
 bears the finger markings of the Omnipotent 
 and Eternal God. 
 
 The '^Old Doctor^' once said to me that life is 
 intelligent wherever you find it; whether in 
 the tree or in the fiesh, there is a force that 
 goes to work at once to ''fix^^ the abrasion in 
 the most intelligent way. This force is life. 
 Life is the great healing agent of God^s uni- 
 verse. It is in every living cell in the animal 
 and the vegetable kingdoms. 
 
 The basic principle of Osteopathy is ad- 
 justment. 
 
 The mechanics of Osteopathy is adjusting. 
 
 The theory of Osteopathy is that, if the adjust- 
 ment is made, Life, the great healing agent, 
 will repair as far as possible all damages. 
 
 — H. J. EVERLT, D.O. 
 
SCIENTIFIC PROOFS OF 
 OSTEOPATHY 
 
 The scientist is only an ignorant man well fed 
 with experience. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
Osteopathy stands for the truth wherever it is 
 scientifically proven. 
 
 — H. S. Bunting, A.B., M.D., D.O. 
 
SCIENTIFIC PROOFS OF 
 OSTEOPATHY 
 
 By G. V. WEBSTER, D.O. 
 
 DR. STILL has been described as, 'Hhe orig- 
 inal citizen of Missouri to demand visual 
 demonstration.^' He applied the ^^Show me'' 
 test to the theories of medicine and to his own 
 theories of treatment as well. He was always 
 searching for demonstrable evidence of the scien- 
 tific value of any theory. That which stood the 
 test was retained as truth; that which failed in 
 the test was rejected. 
 
 From the first announcement of the osteopathic 
 theory, there have been those who have pooh- 
 poohed the idea of structural perversion being 
 responsible for disease. Their conception of struc- 
 tural derangements was limited to gross disloca- 
 tions of the joints. They could neither recognize 
 nor conceive that it was possible for minor dis- 
 placements of the structures of the body to occur. 
 That such should be a controlling factor in disease 
 was to them absurd. 
 
 Such evidences as have been gathered by 
 trained observers point unerringly to the support 
 
 [99] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 of the principles of Osteopathy as advanced by 
 Dr. Andrew Taylor Still. These scientific obser- 
 vations include those made in the clinics, in the 
 anatomical and experimental laboratories of the 
 several osteopathic colleges, and the observa- 
 tions and experiments at the A. T. Still Research 
 Institute in Chicago, besides the work of many 
 individuals in private practice. 
 
 The evidence gathered in the clinics shows 
 that a group of symptoms in an individual 
 which is recognized as a disease is with great 
 uniformity secondary to certain structural devia- 
 tions, usually of the ribs or vertebrae, which are 
 anatomically associated with the parts in which 
 the symptom or symptoms are manifest. 
 
 Examination and graphic tracings of spinal 
 structural relationships reveal that certain definite 
 alterations of the normal relationships are asso- 
 ciated with the disorders in the organs anatom- 
 ically associated with that portion of the spine 
 where such alterations occur. The readjustment 
 of the structural relationships is followed by relief 
 of the functional disturbances — the symptoms. 
 
 In the hundreds of dissections of bodies that 
 have been made in the anatomical laboratories 
 at osteopathic colleges, observations have been 
 made and recorded of existing altered relationships 
 in the framework of the body which, it could be 
 demonstrated, interfered with the blood or nerve 
 
 [100] 
 
PROOFS OF OSTEOPATHY 
 
 supply of organs that were found to be diseased. 
 The same points have been observed and recorded 
 at autopsies. 
 
 The X-ray has repeatedly been able to present 
 on the photographic plate a record of the faulty 
 position of some of the ribs and vertebrae con- 
 stituting an osteopathic lesion, when the same 
 condition escaped the tactile sense of those not 
 accustomed to spinal palpation. In numerous in- 
 stances the X-ray has shown such parts in cor- 
 rect relationship after adjustment by osteopathic 
 treatment. The X-ray, then, offers scientific 
 proof of Osteopathy. 
 
 Besides the clinical evidences, the spinal 
 tracings, the dissections and the X-ray findings, 
 various animal experiments have been conducted 
 by several competent observers over a period of 
 about ten years. These experiments have all 
 tended to prove the osteopathic theory that spinal 
 strains, curvatures and slight displacements affect 
 the nerves and blood vessels of the organs to which 
 the nerves are distributed. 
 
 The spinal lesions experimentally produced in 
 the animals were not accomplished by violence. 
 With the animal relaxed under anesthesia, slight 
 displacements were made by pressure and rotation 
 without greater force than a child might receive 
 in play and immediately forget. After being 
 under observation for varying periods of time, up 
 
 [101] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 to several months, the animals were killed and 
 careful examinations made of the site of lesion, 
 the associated nerves and the organs to which the 
 nerves were distributed. In every series of cases 
 in which experimental evidence was thus sought 
 for the support of the osteopathic theory, the 
 nerves showed congestion and inflammation at 
 the site of the lesion, and the organs they supplied 
 gave evidence of congestion, inflammation and 
 disordered functions. An account of some of the 
 results obtained by animal experiments follows : 
 
 DR. McCONNELL'S EXPERIMENTS 
 
 Dr. C. P. McConnell has experimented upon 
 healthy dogs, producing slight displacements of 
 the vertebrae and ribs and studying the effects 
 produced. The following is a summary of the 
 results announced in the first twelve cases : 
 
 ^^In nine of the twelve eases, inflammation of the 
 nerves at the seat of the lesion was noticed and in one 
 a nervous degeneration was manifest. In each case 
 the diseased organs observed were under the control 
 of the nerves coming off from that part of the spinal 
 column in which the lesion was made. 
 
 Dog 1. — Showed a stricture of the small intestine. 
 
 Dogs 2 and 3. — Had spleens very much enlarged. 
 
 Dogs 3 and 4. — Became very sick. 
 
 Dog 5. — Lost flesh rapidly. 
 
 Dog 6. — Dissection showed an inflamed area in the 
 stomach and an enlarged spleen. 
 
 [102] 
 
PROOFS OF OSTEOPATHY 
 
 Dog 7. — Became blind. 
 
 Dog 8. — Became blind. 
 
 Dogs 9-10. — Developed goiter. 
 
 Dog 11. — Dissection showed hemorrhagic inflam- 
 mation of the kidneys. 
 
 Dog 12. — Died in three days with hemorrhage of 
 the intestines. 
 
 Thus the osteopathic lesion theory has been demon- 
 strated: First, by the cure of disease by the removal 
 of lesions; second, by causing disease by producing 
 lesions.'^ — Journal of Osteopathy, May, 1906. 
 
 Since the experiments referred to above, Dr. 
 McConnell and his associates have conducted 
 experiments along similar lines on several hundred 
 animals, gaining therefrom further scientific evi- 
 dences of the effects of bony lesions in the produc- 
 tion of disease. 
 
 His latest series of experiments have been rela- 
 tive to the influence of the specific spinal lesion as 
 a causative factor in goiter. 
 
 The statistics cover about eight hundred cases 
 of goiter in man and the experiments made upon 
 twenty animals. Nine dogs having goiter were 
 treated specifically. All showed reduction in size 
 of the thyroid gland, some of the cases reaching 
 normal. Tw^o cases kept, as controls, under the 
 same hygienic conditions did not show improve- 
 ment. Nine dogs having normal thyroids were 
 lesioned specifically and six thus lesioned devel- 
 
 [103] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 oped goiter. This proves, both by the cure of 
 goiter in humans and dogs by the correction of 
 lesions and also by the development of goiter 
 in dogs following the experimental production 
 of lesions, the scientific basis for the osteopathic 
 theory that the cause of goiter lies in the faulty 
 mechanical relationships of certain vertebrae as- 
 sociated with the nerve supply to the thyroid 
 gland. 
 
 DR. LOUISA BURNS' EXPERIMENTS 
 
 Dr. Louisa Burns conducted a series of experi- 
 ments at the laboratory of the Pacific College of 
 Osteopathy to determine the immediate effects 
 of bony lesions. The experiments were conducted 
 upon animals and human subjects. The animals 
 used for the purpose were cats, dogs, guinea pigs, 
 and white rats. In every case the animal was 
 given an anesthetic and none were ever permitted 
 to regain consciousness after once losing it. No 
 anesthetic was given the human subjects. These 
 were intelligent men and women in good health 
 and ignorant of the nature of the reaction to be 
 expected from the experiment. 
 
 The experiments included lesions of the verte- 
 brae, careful note being made of the inmaediate 
 effects of the lesions experimentally produced. 
 Cases were excluded from consideration where 
 there was any doubt as to the lesion or any of the 
 
 [104] 
 
PROOFS OF OSTEOPATHY 
 
 observations. One instance of lesion, namely, 
 the ninth and tenth dorsal vertebrae, is here given 
 to illustrate the effects repeatedly observed. 
 
 Animal tests showed that lesions of these verte- 
 brae were followed by lessened peristaltic move- 
 ment of the stomach and intestines; dilatation of 
 the blood vessels of the stomach, intestines and 
 pancreas; increase in the size of the spleen; 
 accimiulation of gas in the intestines, and some- 
 times the peristaltic movement of the intestines 
 was reversed. In some cases, after the lesion had 
 been maintained for some time, bile was found in 
 the stomach. 
 
 The human tests showed that lesions of these 
 vertebrae produced a lowering of the blood pres- 
 sure, increased reaction time, noises of moving 
 gas in the intestine and a sense of sleepiness. The 
 accumulation of gas in the intestines sometimes 
 caused discomfort, but there were no symptoms 
 of nervousness or headache that appeared, 
 although these discomforts were present when the 
 lesions of the vertebrae higher up in the spine 
 were experimentally produced. 
 
 The clinic records show that the diseases 
 associated with lesions of these vertebrae are 
 inflammation and dilatation of the stomach, in- 
 flammation of the colon, congestion of the spleen, 
 catarrhal jaundice, and constipation. 
 
 The tests were carefully conducted and the 
 
 [105] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 recorded observations add scientific proof to the 
 osteopathic theory. 
 
 Dr. Louisa Bums is now at the A. T. Still 
 Research Institute in Chicago where she is con- 
 ducting several interesting series of investigations 
 concerning the relationship of lesions to various 
 diseases. She has thus sununarized the scientific 
 proofs of Osteopathy in the Journal of Osteopathy: 
 
 ^'If the work of Dr. Still had included nothing more 
 than the recognition of the relation between mal- 
 adjustment of bones and other tissues to certain forms 
 of disease, this alone is enough to place him first among 
 discoverers in the field of medicine during the nine- 
 teenth century. That these slight misplacements, 
 called ^^bony lesions/' do act as efiicient factors in the 
 production of abnormal function is proven by the 
 facts: 
 
 1. The examination of patients suffering from 
 disease not due to local injury shows that there are 
 bony lesions affecting the regions most closely asso- 
 ciated with the nerve centers controlling the organs 
 which are abnormal. 
 
 2. The examination of people in fairly good health 
 may show that there are bony lesions affecting the 
 nerve centers in certain parts of their bodies. In such 
 cases it is found either that they are subject to mal- 
 function of such organs, or it will be found later that 
 these organs are more subject to infection, etc., than the 
 rest of the body. 
 
 [106] 
 
PROOFS OF OSTEOPATHY 
 
 3. In persons who are sick, and in whom the bony 
 lesion is found, the correction of the lesion is followed 
 by a rehef of the symptoms; and if there has been 
 no destruction of the tissue, by return to health. 
 
 4. The examination of cadavers frequently shows 
 the existence of bony lesions, and of abnormal visceral 
 conditions associated with the related nerve centers. 
 
 5. Shght and temporary bony lesions, experimentally 
 produced upon human subjects, give rise to those 
 changes in the pressure and circulation of the blood 
 which initiate the beginnings of disease and the lowering 
 of vitahty. 
 
 6. Bony lesions experimentally produced upon 
 animals are followed by circulatory and functional 
 changes of the organs in closest central connection with 
 them, and these changes are to be predicted from the 
 location of the lesions produced. In anesthetised 
 animals, the changes may be watched as they follow 
 the production of the lesion. 
 
 The physiological effects of the bony lesions upon 
 the visceral, vascular and skeletal muscles and the 
 glands of the body are explained by the anatomical 
 relationships of these structures. '' 
 
 DR. WHITING'S EXPERIMENTS 
 
 Dr. C. A. Whiting conducted a series of experi- 
 ments on the influence of osteopathic manipula- 
 tions upon the germ-destroying power of the blood. 
 In a letter he summed up the results of his work 
 as follows: 
 
 [107] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 "Of the Kttle I have done, the most important seems 
 to me to be the demonstration of the increase of phago- 
 cytosis (destruction of germs) as the result of mechani- 
 cal stimulation. I feel quite safe in asserting that 
 phagocji^osis is increased to marked degree by physical 
 stimulation. In the early days of opsonic work, our 
 drug friends beKeved that the only way in which 
 phagocytic powers of the blood could be increased was 
 by the use of some vaccine. I feel quite certain, as 
 the result of a considerable number of experiments, 
 that we get the same result by mechanical stimulation 
 of the Uver, spleen, etc. If this behef is true, it is of 
 great value to the physician, for not only does it guide 
 him in his treatment, but it saves him from the necessity 
 of introducing foreign serums into the body/' 
 
 DR. DEASON'S EXPERIMENTS 
 
 Dr. J. Deason at the laboratories of the Ameri- 
 can School and at the A. T. Still Research Institute 
 has been able to demonstrate in a scientific manner, 
 by a large number of animal experiments, many 
 of the practical workings of the osteopathic idea. 
 Among the results secured with positive evidence 
 by animal experimentation may be mentioned: 
 
 That lesion of the spine affects the function of 
 the pancreas, liver and kidneys, and is often a 
 controlling factor in the production of diabetes: 
 
 That spinal manipulations with fixation pro- 
 duce marked effects on the functional activity of 
 the internal organs: 
 
 [108] 
 
PROOFS OF OSTEOPATHY 
 
 That lesions by nervous reflex cause disturbances 
 in distant organs: 
 
 That lesions in the mid-dorsal region of the 
 spine influence the secretions of the stomach and 
 intestines : 
 
 That abnormal action of the intestines can be 
 caused and ended by manipulation: 
 
 That certain manipulative work upon the spine 
 causes certain definite changes in the blood 
 pressure : 
 
 That the secretions of the liver and kidneys 
 can be increased by manipulation. 
 
 These are some of the practical results of the 
 research work along experimental lines which Dr. 
 Deason has been able to demonstrate scientifically. 
 In the next chapter Dr. Deason gives a summary 
 of the work of the Research Institute. 
 
 To review in a word the scientific efforts made 
 to test the claims of Osteopathy, we find that 
 clinic records, spinal tracings, dissections, 
 autopsies, the X-ray, and animal experimentation 
 each contribute their share of demonstrable evi- 
 dence in support of the theory of Osteopathy that 
 structural abnormalities are a fundamental cause 
 of disease and that the cure of disease is accom- 
 plished by the removal of the cause, i.e., by struc- 
 tural adjustment. 
 
 [109] 
 
There is only one thing to do with natural law 
 and that is to obey. We may violate a man- 
 made law and escape the penalty, hut this 
 is not the case with natural law. The pen- 
 alty for each disobedience must be paid in 
 full. There can be no appeal. The only 
 avenue to liberty and freedom is that of 
 obedience. 
 
 Osteopathy is unlike all other methods of cure 
 in that it takes its stand firmly on natural 
 law. Practitioners of this school attempt to 
 cure by cooperating with Nature. Their 
 aim is to '^ understand the law, to work with 
 it and not against it.^^ 
 
 — Geo. W. Reid, D.O. 
 
 [110] 
 
A SUMMARY OF OSTEOPATHIC 
 RESEARCH WORK 
 
 SPECIAL ARTICLE BY J. DEASON, M.S., D.O. 
 
 Former Director oj the A, T, Still Research Institute 
 
 Lord, grease our heels with the oil of energy 
 that we may slip forward a little. Keep all 
 grease from our toes; we want them dry and 
 sharp so they will hold fast to every inch of 
 progress our greasy heels have gained for us. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
An Osteopath should never speak until he 
 knows he has found and can demonstrate 
 the truth he claims to know. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
A SUMMARY OF OSTEOPATHIC 
 RESEARCH WORK 
 
 By J. DEASON, M.S., D.O. 
 
 DURING the past five years while teaching 
 in the American School of Osteopathy and 
 since coming to the A. T. Still Research Institute, 
 by the aid of a number of assistants, we have been 
 studying the principles of Osteopathy experimen- 
 tally, and have, we think, determined some things 
 of real value. 
 
 In much of our work we have used animals, — 
 monkeys, dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs, — 
 for the purpose of studying the results of osteo- 
 pathic lesions. The animals are first normalized 
 by keeping them under perfectly normal conditions 
 for a number of weeks or months, and are observed 
 very carefully. They are then lesioned by placing 
 them under complete ether anesthesia and pro- 
 ducing a subluxation in the spine. After this 
 they are again carefully observed for a number of 
 weeks or months and the results recorded. Only 
 those animals are used for such work which are 
 found to be entirely normal in every respect. 
 After the animal has developed some disease or 
 
 [113] 
 
CONCEKNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 perverted physiological condition from the results 
 of the lesion produced, it is killed by means of 
 ether or chloroform and a careful study, both 
 macroscopic and microscopic, is made of the 
 various bodily tissues. 
 
 By this method of study we have found that 
 nearly every organ of the body can be influenced 
 by the effects of bony lesions (subluxations) in 
 different parts of the spine. Such resulting con- 
 ditions as abnormal physiological action and path- 
 ological changes of the stomach, liver, intestines, 
 kidneys, spleen, pancreas, adrenals, etc., have 
 been positively demonstrated many times. A 
 detailed account of this work would require too 
 much space and would be uninteresting to anyone 
 other than the physician or experimental scientist. 
 The results of this work on about one thousand 
 animals confirms the findings of Drs. Burns, 
 McConnell, Whiting and others who have done 
 similar work. 
 
 The experimental work on dogs shows that the 
 kidneys and liver can be affected mechanically. 
 By osteopathic manipulation of the spine, it was 
 shown that production of urine by the kidneys 
 could be greatly increased. In some cases the 
 increase amounted to more than one hundred 
 percent. Since the kidneys are the filters of the 
 blood it may be seen that the elimination of toxic 
 substances from the blood may be accomplished 
 
 [ 114 ] 
 
o 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 a; 
 
 a; 
 
OSTEOPATHIC RESEARCH 
 
 by osteopathic methods. This has been put to 
 practical test by many osteopathic physicians 
 since the results of the experimental work were 
 published and has proven to be of actual practical 
 value. 
 
 Similarly it was shown that the functional 
 activities of the liver could be controlled. By 
 measuring the amount of bile (counting the drops 
 and by weighing) secreted in a definite time and 
 then manipulating the segments of the spine from 
 which segment of the spinal cord the nerves 
 originate, which supply the liver, it was found 
 that not only the amount was increased, but that 
 it was higher in specific gravity. Thus we have 
 definite evidence of the value of osteopathic 
 therapy on the functions of the liver. 
 
 When any animals chosen for this work failed 
 to normalize, i.e., if they were not found to be in 
 perfect health in every way, they were not used 
 but were treated osteopathically, and in most 
 cases we were able to normalize such animals 
 after this treatment. Our work on filariasis in 
 monkeys is an interesting example of this. Four- 
 teen months ago we received two dozen monkeys 
 which had recently been imported from the 
 tropics. All but one were found to be affected 
 with filariasis, a disease somewhat similar to 
 sleeping-sickness, caused by an animal parasite. 
 Two animals died before the cause was discovered. 
 
 [115] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 The affected monkeys were then divided into 
 two groups. Seven were treated by the best 
 known medical methods and fourteen were treated 
 osteopathically. Of the seven treated by medical 
 methods all died. Of the fourteen treated os- 
 teopathically, ten recovered. We kept a few of 
 these to determine whether the recovery was 
 temporary or permanent. As yet none have 
 shown any further signs of the disease but have 
 grown much larger and stronger which shows that 
 the cures are both complete and permanent. 
 
 It will be seen that our work differs from the 
 work of most research workers in that we are 
 studying the natural methods by means of which 
 parasitic and bacterial disease can be cured rather 
 than the methods of producing disease in animals 
 and then treating the results by vaccines, serums, 
 etc. 
 
 Another part of our work consists of making 
 a more thorough and careful study of human 
 anatomy by dissections. It has been our purpose 
 to dissect in such a way as to determine how we 
 can best reach certain organs by manipulation 
 and therefore correct abnormalities. This work 
 has also resulted in gaining some valuable informa- 
 tion. As an example of this we may cite the new 
 method of treating catarrhal deafness. It was 
 found that the pharyngeal opening of the eusta- 
 chian tube (the tube which leads from the middle 
 
 [116] 
 
OSTEOPATHIC RESEARCH 
 
 ear to the pharynx) was frequently closed by 
 catarrhal inflammation of the nose and throat 
 and that deafness and ringing in the ears might 
 be a result. It was Dr. J. D. Edwards, then a 
 student in my classes, who put this information 
 to practical test and it was he who did most to 
 bring it before our profession. During the past 
 two or three years we have been working together 
 on this problem and now many of our physicians 
 are successfully applying this technique in practice. 
 While we have not as yet studied our cases suffi- 
 ciently to know the exact percentage of cures, I 
 believe that it is safe to say that we get favorable 
 results in at least seventy percent of cases of 
 catarrhal deafness. 
 
 Another part of our work has been the study 
 by means of bacteriological methods of vaccines 
 and serums and their effects. We want it to be 
 definitely understood that Osteopathy as a pro- 
 fession or as a school of practice takes no stand 
 for or against vaccination or serum therapy or 
 any method of treating disease the value of which 
 has been demonstrated. Our physicians, however, 
 have not been taken by the sermn craze as has 
 the medical profession, and this is because we are 
 not without a reasonable and natural method of 
 therapy. 
 
 The results of our study of smallpox vaccine 
 showed that there was no such material on the 
 
 [117] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 market which did not contain various living 
 bacteria which were dangerous. From specimens 
 of such virus prepared by two of the best known 
 manufacturers in America we isolated more than 
 thirty different kinds of bacteria, eighteen of 
 which were pathogenic or disease-producing bac- 
 teria. For the results of this work in detail we 
 cite the reader to the Journal of Osteopathy 
 for March, April, May and June 1911. 
 
 Some of our most recent work has consisted of 
 the examination and testing of various nose and 
 throat washes commonly sold on the market. 
 Of fifteen such preparations we have not found 
 one that will kill the bacteria in the sputum when 
 mixed with it for as long as an hour, nor do they 
 seem to have any marked beneficial effect on the 
 mucous membranes. The above is only a brief 
 summary of some of our work. The detailed 
 reports may be found in the Journal of the 
 American Osteopathic Association and other 
 journals. 
 
 I am greatly indebted to my co-workers in the 
 A. T. Still Research Institute and others for 
 assistance in this work, for without their valuable 
 suggestions and assistance it would never have 
 been accomplished. 
 
 [118] 
 
THE OSTEOPATHIC EDUCATION 
 
 OSTEOPATHY A DISTINCT SCHOOL 
 
 — C. P. MCCONNELL, D.O. 
 
 [Reprinted by permission from the Journal of the American 
 Osteopathic Association] 
 
 OSTEOPATHIC TEACHING 
 
 — C. C. Teall, D.O. 
 
 [Reprinted from the Bulletin of the Atlas Club] 
 
 THE OSTEOPATHIC CURRICULUM 
 
 — R. H. Williams, D.O. 
 
 [Reprinted by permission from the Osteopathic Magazine] 
 
 Knowledge is the result of the training of our 
 mental faculties in the school of Nature. 
 Knowledge is Nature understood. He who 
 knows the most of Nature is the wisest man. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
After all has been said, after all theories have 
 been spun, no matter by what school, the very 
 kernel of the healing art is simply what can 
 you or I do to assist Nature. 
 
 -—C. P. McCONNELL, D.O. 
 
OSTEOPATHY, A DISTINCT 
 SCHOOL 
 
 By carl p. McCONNELL, D.O. 
 
 OSTEOPATHY is great because its merits are 
 inclusive of a broad field. Osteopathy is a 
 system of healing, not alone a method of treat- 
 ment. It is a system or school because it has a 
 distinctive and embracing etiology, diagnosis, 
 pathology, and therapy. Other schools are diver- 
 gent on the therapeutic plane only. Therapeutics 
 can amount to but little if it is not based upon the 
 other factors, and those factors consist of etiology, 
 diagnosis, and pathology. Thus the reason of an 
 unstable and shifting therapy of the drug schools. 
 What will make a school of the healing art stable, 
 consistent, and hence scientific is its etiology and 
 therapy. The latter, at best, is only a means to 
 an end. Osteopathy presents, logically and prac- 
 tically, this necessary fundamental based upon the 
 bedrocks of anatomy and physiology. 
 
 [121] 
 
OSTEOPATHIC TEACHING 
 
 By C. C. TEALL, D.O. 
 
 OSTEOPATHIC teaching is revolutionary. 
 Old and accepted ideas were broken away 
 from and an entirely new field of investigation 
 was opened. 
 
 In the beginning, a condition was found in the 
 patient: it was corrected and the result was 
 health. That was all the public asked. One 
 ounce of cure was worth tons of theory and they 
 did not inquire into the means of their relief. 
 But adequately to teach Osteopathy a vast 
 amount of original work had to be done. Anat- 
 omy is anatomy but there is a vast difference in 
 its application. Physiology must be taught to 
 mean something more than an interesting phenom- 
 enon. Pathology had an unfilled gap between 
 cause and effect which must be bridged. The 
 post-mortem had a great story to tell but an 
 Osteopath must tell it. A slide of degenerated 
 tissue under the microscope is of interest, but 
 why the degeneration? It is described at length 
 by the authorities but the causes and morbific 
 changes are not carried out. Obstetrics along 
 strictly natural and physiological lines insuring 
 
 [122] 
 
THE OSTEOPATHIC EDUCATION 
 
 both mother and babe against injury; gynecology 
 minus the knife and plus common sense; all 
 these and more had to be shaped to teach the 
 osteopathic student. The archives of Osteopathy 
 were empty a few years ago. There was no 
 precedent to follow and the ideas in teaching 
 which had prevailed for centuries dominated. 
 All this is changed. The colleges teach the 
 science along strictly osteopathic lines, making 
 the application of the truths which have escaped 
 the notice of centuries of investigation. 
 
 There is a much discussed subject, just what 
 is osteopathic and what is not. Dr. C. M. 
 T. Hulett, at a Greater New York Osteopathic 
 Society meeting said: 
 
 ^^ Every application, appliance, method or proced- 
 ure used in treatment of disease may be classified 
 under two heads. If its effect is to modify the vital 
 processes themselves, it is medical. If its effect is to 
 remove conditions which are interfering with processes, 
 it is osteopathic. Among the first are most drugs 
 used for their physiological effect, much surgery, 
 electricity, hot air, vibrators and similar devices. 
 Among the second are manipulation, germicides, 
 regulation of diet, habits and life environments. If 
 the X-ray or Finsen light will kill the lupus or cancer 
 germ the principle of their action is osteopathic. '' 
 
 That is the best opinion on that much-mooted 
 
 question I have ever seen and it is a guide-board 
 
 for all who are in doubt. 
 
 [123] 
 
THE OSTEOPATHIC CURRICULUM 
 
 By RALPH H. WILLIAMS, D.O. 
 
 THE only material difference between the 
 training of an osteopathic physician and the 
 doctor of medicine is in but one subject, — 
 therapeutics, or the treatment of disease. Nat- 
 urally in the training of the doctor of medicine 
 this covers drugs and their use in practice, while 
 the osteopathic physician is trained in the applica- 
 tion of the osteopathic theories to the treatment 
 of disease. 
 
 The American Medical Association requires a 
 minimum of four thousand hours work in a period 
 of four years and the American Osteopathic As- 
 sociation requires three thousand, seven hundred 
 thirty-one hours in a three-years course, the 
 difference in time between the two courses being 
 principally consumed in the greater requirements 
 of the American Medical Association in the 
 subjects of surgery and bacteriology. All of the 
 recognized osteopathic colleges require at least as 
 much time as the requirements of the American 
 Osteopathic Association; the majority of them 
 require over four thousand hours. Some of the 
 
 [124] 
 
THE OSTEOPATHIC EDUCATION 
 
 osteopathic colleges require a four-years course, 
 maintaining a curriculum of over five thousand 
 hours. 
 
 The Regents of the State of New York require 
 that an institution recognized by them shall 
 maintain a four-years course contemplating not 
 less than thirty-four hundred hours, or over three 
 hundred hours less than the requirements of the 
 American Osteopathic Association. 
 
 One of the osteopathic colleges registered by 
 the New York State Board of Regents maintains 
 a four-year course with a curriculum of five 
 thousand five hundred twenty hours ; over twenty- 
 one hundred hours more than required by the 
 Regents, and fifteen hundred hours more than 
 required by the American Medical Association. 
 
 In order that a definite idea as to the require- 
 ments of an osteopathic education may be had, 
 we append hereto a copy of the standard curricu- 
 lum required by the American Osteopathic Asso- 
 ciation of all osteopathic colleges which are 
 afliliated therewith. 
 
 Curriculum Required by the American Osteopathic 
 
 Association 
 Subject Hours 
 
 Anatomy 540 
 
 Physiology 324 
 
 Chemistry 186 
 
 Biology 72 
 
 Physiologic Physics 54 
 
 [125] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 Histology 126 
 
 Bacteriology 90 
 
 Osteopathic Technic and Tactile Training 198 
 
 General Pathology 108 
 
 Osteopathic or Special Pathology 54 
 
 Embryology 36 
 
 Post Mortem and Medical Jurisprudence 26 
 
 Gynecology 126 
 
 Obstetrics (including three deliveries) 108 
 
 Diagnosis (including General Physical Diagnosis, 
 
 Osteopathic and Laboratory Diagnosis) 180 
 
 Surgery (including Orthopedics) 216 
 
 Dietetics, Hygiene and Sanitation 108 
 
 Toxicology, Effects of Drugs and Urinalysis 72 
 
 Practice of Osteopathy (covering Nervous and 
 Mental Diseases; AHmentary and Urinary Tract; 
 Infections and Constitutional; Circulatory and 
 Respiratory; Skin and Venereal; Eye, Ear, Nose 
 
 and Throat and Pediatrics) 432 
 
 Non-Medicinal Therapeutics and Emergencies 18 
 
 Amphitheater Chnics 252 
 
 Clinical Treatments 324 
 
 3731 
 
 Under the head of Osteopathic Technic and 
 Tactile Training will be found the requirement 
 of one hundred ninety-eight hours. Unlike the 
 training of the doctor of medicine the training 
 of the osteopathic physician cannot be wholly 
 theoretical. He must have the training in his 
 hands as well as in his brain. He must learn 
 to recognize by the sense of touch the slight 
 abnormaUties which would escape the untrained 
 practitioner. It is for this reason that the medical 
 
 [ 126 ] 
 
THE OSTEOPATHIC EDUCATION 
 
 practitioner is unable to recognize and appreciate 
 the importance of abnormalities which can be 
 discovered by the trained osteopathic fingers, 
 abnormalities which are the keys to the success 
 of osteopathic practice. The medical practitioner 
 is endowed with the same sense of touch that 
 the osteopathic physician possesses, but just as 
 the ordinary individual is unable to read the 
 books of the blind through the lack of special 
 training, so is the medical doctor unable to 
 recognize and understand the meaning of the 
 slightly altered conditions which mean so much 
 to the osteopathic physician in the making 
 of his diagnosis and his treatment of diseased 
 conditions. 
 
 With the growth of the osteopathic profession 
 there has grown up an appreciation of pathology 
 from a different viewpoint as to cause and effect; 
 an understanding of pathology supported by 
 experiments demonstrating their correctness, a 
 phase of pathology that is little understood, taught 
 or appreciated in the existing works on the subject 
 from a medical point of view. This growing 
 subject is provided for in the osteopathic curricu- 
 lum. Only recently one medical author has 
 approached the osteopathic concept in pathology. 
 
 The Principles of Osteopathy are the counter- 
 part in the osteopathic course of the study of 
 pharmacology and materia medica of the medical 
 
 [127] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 course, and that which makes the training 
 of the Osteopath distinctive as compared with 
 the training of a medical doctor. 
 
 The osteopathic student studies the human 
 body in health as well as in disease, together 
 with the body's own power of combating disease. 
 The medical student spends much of his time 
 studying the influences outside of the body which 
 cause disease overlooking the structural condi- 
 tions within the body which make the effect of 
 the outside influences possible. 
 
 The medical student completes his education 
 and receives his diploma with little or no practical 
 experience. The osteopathic practitioner, on the 
 contrary, spends a considerable portion of his 
 time during the last year's work in the actual care 
 of patients. While this is, of course, under the 
 observation of trained clinicians, the student does 
 the actual work, and is responsible for the results 
 accomplished. He has, not theory alone, but 
 practical knowledge, drawn from the most efficient 
 of all teachers, ^'Experience,'' to guide his work. 
 
 No modern theory of the causation of disease 
 is left out of his training, whether this theory be 
 in the theoretical stage or has become a demon- 
 strated fact. He is trained to recognize all forms 
 of bacteria and is taught their relationship to 
 diseased conditions. Every known and accepted 
 method of diagnosis in use by the medical pro- 
 
 [128] 
 
THE OSTEOPATHIC EDUCATION 
 
 fession is taught to him in addition to his own 
 methods of osteopathic diagnosis which is pecuUar 
 to and distinctively characteristic of the school he 
 represents. 
 
 In his fundamental training and knowledge of 
 the human body the osteopathic physician stands 
 second to none. 
 
 [129] 
 
Osteopathy is a comparatively new system of 
 practice, having existed for only about twenty- 
 five years, and yet much valuable research 
 work has been done along new lines. I be- 
 lieve that no other school of practice, in pro- 
 portion to the length of time it has existed, 
 has done as much original and scientific 
 investigation pertaining to the theories and 
 methods of its treatment. I am sure that 
 no other school has been more successful in 
 confirming its theories by research. 
 
 J. Deason, M.S., D.O. 
 
 [130] 
 
APPLICATION OF OSTEOPATHIC 
 PRINCIPLES 
 
 Osteopathy^s own philosophy of surgery, mid- 
 wifery and general treatment is complete and 
 defies refutation. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
A point that appeals strongly and is particu- 
 larly gratifying to the osteopathic practitioner, 
 is that not a certain line of diseases only is 
 treated more successfully hy osteopathic work 
 than other diseases, but that the entire field 
 of medicine is covered by osteopathic thera- 
 peutics. 
 
 — C. p. MCCONNELL, D.O. 
 
APPLICATION OF OSTEOPATHIC 
 PRINCIPLES 
 
 By G. V. WEBSTER, D.O. 
 
 THE application of the principles of Oste- 
 opathy to the field of therapeutics has dem- 
 onstrated that they are eminently practical. If 
 the Osteopath could not accomplish in a better 
 way things that have been attempted, or could 
 not do things which would otherwise be impossible, 
 there would be no excuse for his existence. In 
 the charter of the first osteopathic school, the 
 purpose of the school is set forth as being to 
 '^improve our present system of surgery, obstetrics 
 and the treatment of diseases generally and to 
 place the same on a more rational and scientific 
 basis.'' That this purpose has been fulfilled, 
 the practical workings of Osteopathy bear the 
 evidence. 
 
 The application of osteopathic principles to 
 meet the problems of bodily disorder has demon- 
 strated their efficiency in practically all diseases. 
 The individual Osteopaths may vary in pro- 
 ficiency, but the principles remain true. Results 
 
 [133] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 depend upon the degree with which the practice 
 is made to approach the principle, Osteopathy- 
 being both an art and a science. 
 
 An understanding of the field in which osteo- 
 pathic principles are applicable may possibly 
 best be gained by a review of some of the basic 
 osteopathic considerations in several of the general 
 classes of disease. 
 
 DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 
 
 A nerve cell with its attendant fiber may be 
 likened to an electrical battery with its attached 
 wires which convey the power of the battery to 
 a point of usefulness. Electricity may be inter- 
 preted in terms of light, heat or motion — all 
 different forms of energy. Nervous impulses in 
 the body are interpreted in terms of motion, 
 secretion, sensation, nutrition, consciousness, and 
 by the special senses. 
 
 In the case of electricity, the integrity of the 
 battery, the wires and the end instrument, which 
 evidences the impulses as light, heat or motion, 
 must be maintained. The battery cell may be 
 impaired, the wire broken or short-circuited, or 
 the instrument may lack adjustment; in any 
 case a failure of function results. With the 
 battery, the cause of failure may be mechanical 
 or chemical. The same is true of the nerve unit. 
 
 [134] 
 
APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES 
 
 A mechanical interference, as by pressure, with 
 the nerve cell, fiber or end organ, a chemical or 
 vital change through degeneration of the nerve 
 unit from exhaustion or impaired nutrition, may 
 take place. Abnormal pressure is the primary 
 cause of impaired function in either case. In the 
 first, the pressure is exerted, by some structure 
 out of its position, upon the nerve cell or fiber; 
 in the second, the pressure is upon the vessels 
 carrying nutrition to the nerve unit. 
 
 The Osteopath is the electrical engineer of the 
 nervous system. It is his aim to preserve the 
 integrity of the individual nerve, cell, fiber and 
 end organ by relieving them of any abnormal 
 pressure, or interference with their supply of 
 nutrition. 
 
 Of the disorders incident to nerve tissue, we 
 may have, as has been suggested, those that are 
 either functional or organic; each with possible 
 resultant disturbances of motion, secretion, sensa- 
 tion, nutrition, consciousness or of the special 
 senses. A great number of these cases of both 
 classes have come under osteopathic observation 
 and the osteopathic search for the causes of such 
 diseases with the application of the principle of 
 correction of structural abnormalities has resulted 
 in lessening a large amount of human suffering. 
 
 [135] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 
 
 Of the cases which have presented themselves 
 for osteopathic examination, a large nmnber have 
 been disturbances of the digestive system. Of 
 these a portion have resulted from some abuse of 
 the organs of digestion by dietetic errors, in which 
 case correction of the errors of diet would be 
 indicated, but most of the cases present some 
 structural derangement which is manifestly inter- 
 fering with the functioning of the stomach, liver, 
 pancreas, or intestines. 
 
 The stomach receives an extensive nerve supply, 
 partly from the pneumogastric nerve which leaves 
 the cranium and passes downward to be distributed 
 to the organs in the thorax and abdomen, and 
 partly from the nerves that leave the spinal cord 
 and chain of S5anpathetic nervous ganglia along 
 the spine. These nerves carry impulses that 
 control the movement of the muscular wall of the 
 stomach, the action of the various glands that 
 secrete the gastric juice, the quantity of blood 
 that is distributed to the organ and the nutrition 
 of the organ itself, as well as sensation to the 
 nerve centers in the cord and brain. 
 
 If motion, secretion, nutrition or sensation be 
 impaired in the organ, the organ is not to be 
 blamed. One could scarcely, with justice, blame 
 the telephone if the wires were down. Somewhere 
 
 [136] 
 
APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES 
 
 there is a mechanical defect — an interference 
 with the origin or transmission of the nervous 
 impulses which govern these functions. A careful 
 osteopathic search will reveal the point of inter- 
 ference. A careful physical examination, with 
 possibly a laboratory examination of the stomach 
 contents if necessary, will give the evidence as 
 to the functions impaired or of any organic trouble 
 that may have resulted from long continued 
 functional disturbances. A little engineering skill 
 is needed to remove the interference and if suc- 
 cessfully accomplished the organ will go about 
 its work without further hesitancy, provided that 
 these interferences have not been operating so 
 long as to have produced organic changes. Even 
 then nothing could be of greater value to the suffer- 
 ing organ than to have its struggle for existence 
 extended a helping hand by way of improved 
 blood and nerve supply. 
 
 One could supply from an outside source some 
 of the deficient constituents of the gastric juice, 
 one could knead the stomach and supply in a 
 measure impaired motion, one could use an ano- 
 dyne and relieve distressing sensations, but it 
 would seem the more logical course to so put in 
 order the bodily mechanism that the constituents 
 of the gastric juice would be naturally supplied 
 in proper proportion, the contents of the stom- 
 ach be churned by its own power, and then 
 
 C 137 ] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 with perfect digestion there would be no occasion 
 for annoying sensory distiu^bances to reach the 
 consciousness. 
 
 The functions of the other organs of digestion, 
 the Uver, the pancreas, the intestines, the colon, 
 may likewise be impaired, and a long list of 
 names has been applied to the various symptoms 
 and conditions. In these as with the stomach, 
 faulty diet, micro-organisms, etc., may play a 
 part, but analyzed carefully it will be found that 
 primarily the cause rests in some structural 
 abnormality operating to derange the blood or 
 nerve supply of the organ or part. In diseases of 
 these organs it would likewise be the logical thing 
 to find and remove such an obstruction, whether 
 the case be congestion of the liver, intestinal 
 indigestion, appendicitis, colitis, constipation, dys- 
 entery, or any one of the list of diseases of 
 the digestive tract, where the organic changes 
 have not reached the stage of degeneration that 
 might require operative interference. 
 
 DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM 
 
 Under this heading may be included all dis- 
 orders of the nose, larynx, bronchial tubes, lungs 
 and pleura whether or not accompanied by specific 
 infection. Nearly all of these, it has been shown, 
 are primarily due to interrupted nervous impulses. 
 
 [ 138 ] 
 
APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES 
 
 Since the nerves hold under their control the 
 caliber of the blood vessels and so determine the 
 quantity of blood distributed to a part, it is 
 obvious that an interference with the vaso-motor 
 nerves, as they are called, would result in either 
 too little or too much blood being driven to an 
 organ. Too much blood and we have a conges- 
 tion; too little and the nourishment of the tissue 
 is impaired — in either case the vitality of the 
 part is lowered. Germs, whether they be the 
 germs of la grippe, pneumonia or tuberculosis, 
 find a convenient lodging place in tissue with 
 lowered vitality — otherwise they might be de- 
 stroyed, before they had time to multiply and 
 colonize, by the white blood corpuscles which act 
 as little policemen throughout the body, arresting 
 and devouring invading germs. Perfect circula- 
 tion through a part would mean that these police- 
 men were ^^ covering their beat^' with due 
 regularity and in sufl&cient numbers to repel any 
 ordinary invasion. 
 
 Osteopathic work by correcting any mechanical 
 interference with the vaso-motor nerves to the 
 lungs is of value in maintaining the normal healthy 
 tone of the lung tissue by preventing congestion 
 or faulty nutrition. It aids in helping the lung 
 to resist the invasions of germs and in strengthen- 
 ing and restoring to health weakened tissues. 
 
 All diseases of the respiratory tract are not 
 
 [139] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 associated, however, with germs, but in all, 
 structural conditions play a large part, and the 
 axiom that normal structure is a prerequisite of 
 normal functioning holds true in disorders of the 
 respiratory tract, whether the symptoms of such 
 structural disorder be grouped under the name 
 of asthma, hay fever, catarrh, croup, bronchitis 
 or one of the acute infectious diseases. The 
 essential point is to find the primary cause of the 
 disease — that which is interfering with the nor- 
 mal physiological action of the organ or part — 
 and to set about to correct the same, with the 
 assurance that God made man a perfect being 
 and if there is failure in any function there must 
 be a cause for such failure. 
 
 DISEASES OF THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM 
 
 The blood is the chief agent of transportation 
 in the body, carrying food to and waste from the 
 tissues. The organs necessary to maintain this 
 transportation system comprise a propelling force, 
 the heart; avenues of distribution, the arteries 
 and capillaries; also channels for the re-collection 
 and return of the blood to the heart, the veins. 
 
 Many of the diseases of the body may be found 
 associated with some alteration or defect in this 
 transportation system. ^^The reign of the artery 
 is supreme,'' is the way the ^^Old Doctor" ex- 
 
 [140] 
 
APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES 
 
 pressed it. In the consideration of the diseases 
 of the organs of the circulatory system, we find 
 disorders of two kinds — functional or organic. 
 
 The heart receives nervous impulses by way of 
 the pneumogastric nerve which tend to retard its 
 action and from the cardiac sympathetic nerves 
 which accelerate its action. It also has nervous 
 ganglia within its muscular walls which are auto- 
 matic in action. Variations in the rate or regular- 
 ity of the heart's action indicate some abnormal 
 nervous impulse received either over the pneumo- 
 gastric or sympathetic nerves. These abnormal 
 impulses may be purely reflex, as from exophthal- 
 mic goiter, anemia, acute infectious disease, 
 dyspepsia, overwork, stimulants, poisons, pelvic 
 disturbances, emotional states, etc. However, a 
 satisfactory explanation for all functional dis- 
 turbances cannot be found in the reflexes. The 
 pneumogastric and sympathetic nerves at certain 
 points in their course pass in very close relation to 
 some parts of the bony framework and if these 
 structures are occupying other than their true 
 anatomical positions they may be the source of 
 direct interruption to the nervous impulses that 
 should reach the heart. Osteopathic clinical 
 evidence and the evidence obtained by animal 
 experiment go to show that most functional dis- 
 orders of the heart have as a causative factor some 
 displacement, however slight, of the ribs or verte- 
 
 [141] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 brae in relation with these nerves. The indication, 
 then, in case of functional disorder of the heart, 
 is to search for a possible reflex cause and remedy 
 that or to locate a possible direct cause in some 
 structural abnormality of rib or vertebrae and 
 correct that. 
 
 Lesions producing cardiac neuroses may lead 
 to organic disease although many other indirect 
 causes are recognized. In organic troubles the 
 problem presented is much more difficult and seri- 
 ous. While it would not be expected that the 
 organic disease could be remedied, yet the work 
 of freeing the nervous impulses that should reach 
 the heart is of the utmost value, materially assist- 
 ing the organ in performing its duty even though 
 it is handicapped by organic changes. 
 
 Functional disease of the blood vessels may 
 result from disturbance to the vaso-motor nerves 
 — the nerves to the muscular coat of the arteries 
 that Osteopaths are so much interested in and 
 which have their origin along the spine. Organic 
 diseases of the blood vessels are of the nature of 
 degenerations of varying kinds and degree. 
 
 In all cardiac or circulatory disturbances the 
 work of the Osteopath is quick, safe and efficient, 
 no other method of treatment operating so in 
 harmony with Nature's laws. 
 
 [142] 
 
APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES 
 
 DISEASES OF THE KIDNEY 
 
 A great deal of mystery has existed in the popu- 
 lar mind as to kidney difficulties and, to one unac- 
 quainted with the facts, it might seem that the 
 application of the osteopathic principles for the 
 relief of such disorders is but another addition 
 to the mystery. 
 
 The function of the kidney is that of elimination 
 — to filter out and excrete the excess water and 
 waste products from the blood stream. This fimc- 
 tion is dependent upon the integrity of the epithe- 
 lial cells that line the little tubules of which the 
 kidney is largely composed. These in turn depend 
 for their health upon normal nutrition and for 
 their action upon normal nerve impulses. The 
 nerves that supply the kidney, controlling the 
 distribution of blood to it and the excretory 
 function of the organ, can be traced back through 
 the solar plexus to the center in the spine where 
 any abnormal structural pressure will interfere 
 with their harmonious action. 
 
 The evidence regarding disease of the kidneys 
 is obtained largely by urinalysis supplemented 
 by a thorough physical examination and a careful 
 osteopathic search for derangements of the ribs 
 or vertebrae near which pass the nerve fibers 
 just mentioned. When evidence is obtained of 
 faulty action of the kidney, the next important 
 
 [143] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 step is the discovery of a cause. Inasmuch as a 
 nerve is with difficulty impinged while passing 
 through soft tissue, it is but reasonable to suspect 
 that the interference is at a point where it comes 
 into more or less intimate relation with denser 
 structures — bones or ligaments. The point of 
 interruption to the nervous impulses having been 
 discovered in the faulty relations of some of the 
 ribs or vertebrae, the Osteopath sets about cor- 
 recting the same, reasoning that if structural rela- 
 tions are maintained, as Nature intended they 
 should be, in all parts of the anatomy associated 
 with the kidney, the organ will function properly, 
 provided that the degenerative changes in the 
 tissues of the kidney have not progressed beyond 
 repair. 
 
 DISEASES OF THE PELVIC ORGANS 
 
 In the treatment of the diseases incident to the 
 pelvic structures. Osteopathy gave the world an 
 entirely new, and we believe correct, conception 
 of the cause and cure of such conditions, proving 
 a great boon to suffering woman-kind. Long had 
 attempts been made to remedy the conditions 
 found, but not one word in all medical literature 
 pointed toward the bony lesion as a fundamental 
 cause of such conditions. It is with truth that 
 Mrs. J. B. Foraker of Ohio said: '^f Dr. A. T. 
 Still had discovered nothing new in medical 
 
 [144] 
 
APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES 
 
 science but what he has done for woman, his name 
 would go down the ages as the greatest physician 
 of any age and one of the historical benefactors 
 of the race." 
 
 The pelvic organs are delicately balanced, sup- 
 ported by ligaments. Clothing, posture, habits, 
 occupation, etc., all influence more or less the 
 integrity of the supports and the balance of the 
 pelvic structures, but with the ligaments maintain- 
 ing their normal tone and proper tension organic 
 displacements would not occur. The nerves 
 which give tone to the ligaments and the vaso- 
 motor nerves controlling the blood supply to the 
 pelvic organs have their origin along the spine. 
 Any structural derangement there would so inter- 
 fere with the nerves that the ligaments would lose 
 their tone, permitting relaxation, and allowing 
 gravity, or other forces, to. carry the organs to 
 abnormal positions. The deranged vaso-motor 
 nerves, together with the faulty position, would 
 produce congestion which in turn might lead to 
 faulty functioning, abnormal secretion, degener- 
 ation of tissues or tumefaction. To treat these 
 conditions without correcting the primary struc- 
 tural cause is but to treat the symptoms. Perma- 
 nent relief could scarcely be hoped for without the 
 removal of the cause. The Osteopath deals largely 
 with causes, yet being mindful of the symptoms 
 and conditions that those causes have produced. 
 
 [ 145 ] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 There is probably no field so frequently invaded 
 by the surgeon's knife as the pelvis, yet taken in 
 time the majority of these cases could have 
 been saved the operation and the suffering that 
 preceded it, being restored to health and comfort 
 without the knife. It is with causes that we must 
 be concerned if we would find how the conditions 
 that would eventually demand an operation may 
 be remedied, and it is in dealing with causes that 
 Osteopathy has won its great success in this as 
 in other fields of therapeutics and prophylaxis. 
 Speaking in this connection Dr. Lena Creswell 
 says: 
 
 '' Almost all of the diseases of the pelvic structure 
 are curable in the beginning without the surgeon, and 
 in truth, the osteopathic practice is revolutionizing 
 modern surgery, but even yet the number of women 
 operated on for pelvic trouble is alarming. Many 
 are unsexed and it would seem that many of these 
 necessary operations might be prevented if the women 
 of our land possessed the proper knowledge of the care 
 of their bodies. Many cases, which were formerly 
 considered surgical, respond readily to this treatment 
 but some cases, usually dating from parturition, must 
 have an operation. I have found osteopathic treat- 
 ment many times of great value to prepare the patient 
 for the operation and it frequently is necessary after- 
 wards.'^ 
 
 '^The science of Osteopathy does more than all 
 others to revolutionize the treatment of the diseases 
 [146] 
 
APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES 
 
 of women and has advanced further along this hne than 
 any other method. Osteopathic gynecology is based 
 on facts. Our method is to locate the lesion that 
 interferes with the blood and nerve supply and if 
 possible to remove the same. We should feel proud 
 of the record we have made in the treatment of these 
 diseases. From year to year we are demonstrating 
 a more complete method of treating the diseases of 
 womankind.'' 
 
 DISEASES OF THE SKIN 
 
 Affections of the skin are a class of diseases that 
 at first thought might seem beyond the reach 
 of osteopathic measures. The skin exercises 
 protective, absorptive and excretory functions. 
 Overburdening any one of these functions may 
 result in disease. The protective function may 
 be overburdened, as by germs or parasites; the 
 absorptive, as by chemicals; and the excretory, 
 as by the defective action of one of the other 
 organs of elimination. 
 
 Such disorders may be divided into two general 
 classes with reference to causes, external or in- 
 ternal. Both may be combined. Of the external 
 causes, probably germs are frequently a direct 
 cause. To remove the cause, remove the germs, 
 which may be accomplished by the application of 
 a germicide. This alone is required; the recon- 
 structive forces of the body restoring the surface 
 to normal as soon as the cause is removed. Of the 
 
 [147] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 internal causes, those traceable to some disorder 
 of nutrition, metabolism or elimination predomi- 
 nate. In the search for the causes, we are often 
 led step by step back to some structural abnormal- 
 ity interfering with one or more of the organs 
 concerned with the constructive or eliminative 
 forces of the body. In connection with this class, 
 purely osteopathic work is of distinct therapeutic 
 value, as has been shown by the cases of eczema, 
 for instance, which have yielded to osteopathic 
 work applied to the correction of the nerve and 
 blood supply to the liver and pancreas after 
 various other means for relief had been unsuccess- 
 fully tried. 
 
 ACUTE INFECTIOUS DISEASES 
 
 The invasion of the human body by pathogenic 
 micro-organisms gives rise to what are known 
 as the acute infectious diseases, such as typhoid 
 fever, scarlet fever, measles, influenza, etc. The 
 battle is waged between the invading germs and 
 the powers of resistance inherent in the body. 
 On the one hand, the germs seek to destroy the 
 harmony of the bodily functions by the production 
 of poisons that spell death to the tissues; on the 
 other hand, the body manufactures an ^^anti^' 
 poison which neutralizes the poison produced by 
 the germ and permits the white blood corpuscles 
 to destroy the invaders or, at least, restrict their 
 
 [ 148 ] 
 
APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES 
 
 operations. The question is, Which shall prevail? 
 Once started, it is might that prevails. 
 
 The physician should ally himself with the forces 
 of resistance and his problem is how best to assist 
 the body in its efforts to overcome the germs and 
 the effects of their poisons. The forces of the 
 body are capable of making the necessary resist- 
 ance provided that there is no obstruction to 
 their perfect operation. ^^No obstruction '' means 
 unimpeded circulation in all parts and no inter- 
 ference with the nerve supply to the organs whose 
 function is the manufacture of ^^anti'' poisons, 
 or to the organs of elimination. The effort has 
 been made to produce some of these ^^anti^' 
 substances in the bodies of animals and then appro- 
 priate in the form of serums the ^^antis'' thus 
 obtained for use in the defense of the human organ- 
 ism. These are not of the. nature of a drug but 
 rather of the nature of an antidote for poison — 
 the poison produced by the germ — and as such 
 their use is not at direct variance with osteopathic 
 theories, although it has been repeatedly demon- 
 strated that the body in perfect health will provide 
 from its own laboratories sufficient of the ^^anti'' 
 substances to neutralize the toxins produced by 
 the germs, making the use of such borrowed 
 ^'anti'' substances superfluous. An instance of 
 this is frequently found where a person may not 
 be infected although repeatedly exposed to the 
 
 [149] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 germs of measles, scarlet fever, tuberculosis, etc. 
 The reason that these cases of umnunity are not 
 more numerous is because so few people are in 
 absolutely perfect health. 
 
 Any means that will assist the organs of defense 
 is of value. The Osteopath by opening every 
 channel of operation for the fighting forces of the 
 body materially assists in the checking or repul- 
 sion of the invading germs, in the production of 
 germicidal properties in the blood and in the 
 elimination of the poisons from the system. Any 
 other poison or drug entering the system at the 
 time of the invasion but increases the burden of 
 poisons to be neutralized or eliminated. 
 
 DISEASES OF THE EYE AND EAR 
 
 The eye and ear are organs of special sense. 
 The eye is formed to receive waves of light and 
 convey the impressions received to the mind. 
 The ear is formed to receive waves of sound and 
 convey and interpret them to the consciousness. 
 Both organs are located in the cranium and nearly 
 surrounded by firm bony walls. How then can 
 osteopathic work be of value to disordered organs 
 so deeply situated in bony cavities? With the 
 delicate mechanism of the eye or ear, the Osteo- 
 path does very little directly, yet in the treat- 
 ment of diseases of these organs Osteopathy has 
 achieved some of its most remarkable results. 
 
 [150] 
 
APPLICATION OF PKINCIPLES 
 
 Tracing the sympathetic nerve fibers of the 
 eye backward toward their origin, the anatomist 
 and physiologist have found that some of these 
 nerve fibers, having their nucleus of origin near 
 the base of the brain, pass downward through the 
 spinal cord to the level of the upper dorsal spine, 
 i. e., between the shoulders, where they leave the 
 cord and, passing out between the vertebrae, 
 join the chain of sympathetic nervous ganglia 
 that are situated just in front of the vertebrae 
 and lead upward through these ganglia and their 
 connections and are finally distributed to the 
 eye. This is a very roundabout way for the 
 nervous impulses to travel in reaching the eye yet 
 such is the course they follow. The eye has other 
 nerves more direct in action controlling its mo- 
 tion and some of the other functions, but those 
 just mentioned being the sympathetic, control 
 the involuntry muscles within the eye itself, the 
 cahber of the blood vessels to the eye and so the 
 nutrition to each individual cell that goes to make 
 up the delicate organ. Any irritation or inter- 
 ference with these sympathetic nerves would result 
 in disturbances that might produce disease and 
 impair the vision. It is not claimed that all eye 
 disorders are amenable to osteopathic treatment, 
 yet the application of the osteopathic principle 
 of correcting all structural deviations, such as 
 slightly misplaced vertebrae in the neck, has 
 
 [151] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 resulted in so freeing the interrupted nervous 
 impulses that frequently all the resultant symp- 
 toms manifest in the eye were relieved. 
 
 It could scarcely be expected that in this brief 
 article mention could be made of all the symptoms 
 and diseases of the eye that have been benefited 
 or cured by osteopathic corrective measures 
 applied to the structures in relation with the 
 sympathetic nerves to the eye, for well authenti- 
 cated case reports of the eye benefits are numerous 
 in osteopathic literature. It is sufficient to state 
 that the practice of finding what is wrong and 
 fixing it, leaving Nature to mother the eye as she 
 alone can, has resulted in demonstrating in eye 
 troubles what a truly wonderful mother Nature is 
 when unhampered in her work. 
 
 In the treatment of diseases of the ear, particu- 
 larly catarrhal deafness, osteopathic work has 
 achieved a distinct success. The catarrhal de- 
 posits and adhesions in and about the eustachian 
 tube in this instance constitute the lesion and it 
 is through the removal of these by manipulative 
 work that the parts are restored to normal condi- 
 tion and function. 
 
 The osteopathic control over other pathological 
 conditions of the ear is largely through the vaso- 
 motor nerves that govern the amount of blood 
 distributed to the parts or to some structural 
 condition impinging directly upon the return 
 
 [ 152 ] 
 
APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES 
 
 circulation from the ear, in either case the circu- 
 latory disturbances result in lowered vitality, 
 impaired function and possibly an invasion by 
 micro-organisms. 
 
 To find what is interfering with the normal 
 physiological processes of the body and, if possible, 
 correct the same — that is the Osteopath's mis- 
 sion in dealing with disorders of the organs of 
 special sense as with the other organs. 
 
 CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES 
 
 Constitutional diseases are those that pervade 
 the whole system, such as chronic rheumatism, 
 gout, diabetes, scurvy, rickets, etc., and are due 
 to some break in the chain of events that govern 
 the constructive or eliminative forces of the body. 
 The character of the food itself may be faulty or 
 one or more of the organs that are concerned in 
 the preparation of the food elements for final use 
 in the body as bone, gland, muscle, etc., lag in 
 performing their functions, or some of the organs 
 whose duty it is to dispose of the ashes of the 
 bodily fires, the waste material, fail in their 
 physiological duty and the result is general or 
 constitutional disorder. 
 
 To find where the broken link in the chain may 
 be is the duty of the physician. To the Osteopath, 
 the conditions presented by the symptoms of 
 
 [153] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 constitutional disease would point, aside from di- 
 etetic errors, to an interruption to the nerve supply 
 to one or more of the organs that gave evidence of 
 failure of function. The location of the mechan- 
 ical cause for such interruption and the correction 
 of the same permits again the movement of the 
 constructive and eliminative forces of the body in 
 an unbroken cycle, provided that the wheel of 
 life has not been too greatly damaged by the 
 weakened link having existed too long. 
 
 FINALLY 
 
 Osteopathy is not a cure-all. There are dis- 
 orders that are incurable; there are diseases which 
 need surgical attention; an anesthetic is a neces- 
 sity; a parasite requires an antiseptic; a poison 
 demands an antidote. There are considerations 
 other than mechanical adjustment having to do 
 with the environment affecting the relative pro- 
 portions in quantity and quality of the life essen- 
 tials, food, air, water, rest, protection, cleanliness, 
 physical and mental exercise, etc. — all of which 
 enter into consideration in the problem of pro- 
 tecting the body from disease. Yet perfection 
 of bodily structure must be maintained and it is 
 the duty of the physician to assist in such main- 
 tenance while giving proper attention to the en- 
 vironment. Life forces he cannot give; tissue 
 he cannot manufacture; tissue builders, except in 
 
 [154] 
 
APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES 
 
 the form of food, he cannot furnish, discretion that 
 will maintain a proper environment is with diffi- 
 culty imparted; yet structural perfection he can 
 help to maintain: that accomplished. Nature — 
 the Mother of All — with infinite wisdom main- 
 tains in functional harmony, the body which she 
 created and man's responsibility ceases. 
 
 [155] 
 
Osteopathy believes that all parts of the human 
 body do work on chemical compounds and 
 from the general supply manufacture for local 
 wants; thus the liver builds for itself of the ma- 
 terial that is prepared in its own division 
 laboratory. The same of heart and brain. 
 No disturbing or hindering causes will be 
 tolerated to stay if the Osteopath can find 
 and remove them. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
 [156] 
 
THE GROWTH OF OSTEOPATHY 
 
 FROM AN ADDRESS DELIVERED AT A MEETING 
 OF THE AMERICAN OSTEOPATHIC ASSOCI- 
 ATION AT KIRKSVILLE, MO. 
 
 [Reprinted by permission from the Journal of Osteopathy] 
 
 This is a war not for conquest, popularity or 
 power. It is an aggressive campaign for love, 
 truth and humanity. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
Osteopathy has had its necessary growth and 
 development amid surroundings that tested its 
 right to existence at every step. 
 
 — Geo. E. Moran 
 
THE GROWTH OF OSTEOPATHY 
 
 By a. G. HILDRETH, D.O. 
 
 THE poetry of Osteopathy has never been 
 written. The essence, or abstract, of this 
 great truth which has enriched so many lives has 
 never been, and can never be, expressed in words, 
 for it is so indeUbly interwoven with the everyday 
 occurrences of so many different individuals that 
 it will be impossible to collect in one volume the 
 all that goes to make up a complete whole — cen- 
 tralized at first in one man and his family, then 
 divided with others until today it has to do with 
 the lives of thousands and still is being handed on 
 and on. Ah, w^ho dare attempt to write the all of 
 the ^^Then and Now '7 Come with me in your 
 minds and walk over this identical spot of ground 
 some years ago; look at the little five-room cot- 
 tage, the rooms of which were used as treatment 
 rooms by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still and his sons; 
 see the people scattered here and there around his 
 home and the little office building, with the bus 
 driving occasionally to the door, depositing its 
 invaUd or cripple to see the then becoming famous 
 ^'bone doctor.'' Note a little frame structure, 
 fourteen by twenty-eight feet, in the course of 
 
 [159] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 construction just in front of the original five-room 
 cottage. Get a glimpse, if you can, of those things 
 as they were, and as they are so vividly painted 
 in the memories of those of us who were here at 
 that time, and you may have some conception of 
 Osteopathy as it was then. 
 
 Now turn your eye to the present, compare this 
 building with those described. Look across the 
 ravine at the well-equipped, up-to-date hospital 
 and you will have some conception of the Oste- 
 opathy of today. A comparison of the ^'Then 
 and Now'' in material things only at the birth- 
 place of this science is certainly very satisfactory 
 and, no doubt, its progress has far outgrown the 
 fondest anticipations of him who started this 
 great work. But even with all this development 
 achieved here at the parent institution it is in- 
 comparable with our growth, development and 
 progress made in the literary, social, professional 
 and scientific world. For more than five years 
 from the beginning of the teaching of Osteopathy, 
 we numbered less than one hundred men and 
 women. Then we were so few in numbers that 
 we could all gather around his knee at one time 
 either in the little cottage, in his home, upon the 
 lawn under the trees, on the steps of his front 
 porch, anywhere and everywhere and drink wis- 
 dom from his own lips in all its purity and sim- 
 plicity. We were so close to the fountain of truth 
 
 [160] 
 
GROWTH OF OSTEOPATHY 
 
 from whence all this wondrous growth has ema- 
 nated, that we could not only see the results 
 obtained by the corrective processes beneath the 
 scientific touch of his fingers, but we were forced 
 to absorb from his mind a part, at least, of the in- 
 spiration of his thought, his genius and his power. 
 
 Again, the results obtained at that time were 
 not only an inspiration, but they were fraught with 
 a knowledge, to those who were privileged to see 
 them, that then and there lay the foundation for 
 future professional careers by which the pioneer 
 practitioners of Osteopathy have contributed so 
 much to the strength, the solidity and the impreg- 
 nability of the position we occupy today. Then 
 and there were instilled through contact the true 
 principles of genuine Osteopathy that must and 
 will stand throughout all ages as the foundation 
 of the earth's greatest system of medicine. The 
 idea was then in its simplest, crudest, yet purest 
 form. From that point in our history was thrown 
 out an influence so deep-rooted, so pure and so 
 far-reaching in effect that it is not only a part of 
 us now, but is destined to live on and on forever. 
 
 Then we were a mere handful; now we are 
 numbered by the thousands. Then one college 
 upon the face of the earth; now some seven or 
 eight. Then our classes for matriculation num- 
 bered but a few, now they run into the hundreds. 
 Then one man with a very few assistants taught 
 
 [161] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 all there were to teach, now it takes hundreds to 
 supply the demand. Then there were no practi- 
 tioners anywhere but at Kirksville and the hope- 
 less cases of all the land contributed their share 
 to make Kirksville and Dr. Still famous. Now 
 our practitioners are scattered all over the world. 
 Then the eyes of the public were centered here 
 and the results obtained were given world-wide 
 comment and notice. Now, good results are 
 being obtained everywhere Osteopaths are located 
 and oiu* good results are so common that they 
 are expected and people are disappointed if they 
 are not obtained. Then when people came to 
 Kirksville for treatment, it was Dr. Still who 
 cured them, whether one of his sons treated them 
 or one of the assistants. Now the results have 
 become so common that little notice is taken of 
 the most seemingly miraculous cures. 
 
 Then there was not a spot on earth where a 
 graduated Osteopath could practice his chosen 
 profession as a law-abiding citizen, according to 
 the interpretation of the then-existing medical 
 laws. Now almost every state of the union recog- 
 nizes us with some form of legislative enactment, 
 with many a splendid law to our credit. This, 
 too, may be said of several foreign provinces. 
 Then the combined influences of the earth seemed 
 against us. Now, we are welcomed everywhere, 
 in the home, the chiu*ch, the local community, the 
 
 [162] 
 
GROWTH OF OSTEOPATHY 
 
 state, yea, even by the nations of the earth as a 
 factor for good. The press was a silent factor 
 so far as we were concerned, unless occasion- 
 ally when we were made the butt of its ridicule. 
 Today, column after column is given to us in the 
 great papers of this country, clothed in terms most 
 complimentary to om: work. And the best peri- 
 odicals now give us page after page of the most 
 readable, educational articles, enlightening the 
 whole world as regards our profession and our 
 progress. Then there could be no systematized 
 organization for the promulgation of our work; 
 we were so few, we could only cluster around this 
 spot hovering in close contact with the original 
 center. But now we have our local, our state and 
 our national organizations that are proving a 
 wonderful factor in our growth. 
 
 WTienever I hear people talk of shoals ahead or 
 dangers coming, I cannot help but feel that if they 
 could only have accurate knowledge of all the 
 history of the origin and growth of Osteopathy, 
 they could not possibly feel that way, for there 
 have been so many things that could not but 
 make the men who stood with their fingers 
 upon the pulse of this great movement know that 
 the Master Mind of this universe was guiding its 
 course. It was true ^^Then'^ and it is equally 
 true ''Now.'' 
 
 [163] 
 
To the Osteopath, his first and last duty is to 
 look well to a healthy blood and nerve supply. 
 He should let his eye camp day and night on 
 the spinal column, and he must never rest 
 day or night until he knows that the spine 
 is true and in line from atlas to sacrum, with 
 all the ribs known to be in perfect union 
 with the processes of the spine. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
 [164] 
 
OSTEOPATHIC SPECIALISTS 
 
 SPECIAL ARTICLE BY R. KENDRICK SMITH, D.O. 
 
 When Harvey solved hy his powers of reason a 
 knowledge of the circulation of the blood, he 
 only reached the banks of the river of life. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
The most that any physician can do in treating 
 disease is to render operative the natural forces 
 within the patient^s body. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
OSTEOPATHIC SPECIALISTS 
 
 By R. KENDRICK SMITH, D.O. 
 
 ONE of the most significant chapters in the 
 history of the marvellous growth of Osteop- 
 athy is that which chronicles its latest subdivision 
 into the specialties. In the earlier days of the 
 new school, all practitioners were obviously obliged 
 to conduct a general practice, but as their numbers 
 increased, and as educational and clinical facilities 
 became greater, it was natural that some students 
 and physicians, either by deliberate choice or by 
 accident of experience, secured a much greater 
 number of some particular class of cases or mani- 
 fested a particular aptitude in some special line 
 of work. This inevitably happens in any school 
 of practice, or, as a matter of fact, in any other 
 walk in modern life. 
 
 The ultimate result today has been the de- 
 velopment in Osteopathy, just as in all other 
 schools of practice, of all the well-defined 
 and the constantly increasing reputation of 
 distinguished authorities in different branches of 
 the work. Rapid increase in the number and 
 size of osteopathic hospitals, clinics, and other 
 
 [167] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 institutions and organizations has increased greatly 
 the faciHties for teaching the specialties and has 
 enabled the profession to amass a vast quantity 
 of statistics proving the efficacy of Osteopathy 
 in classes of cases heretofore supposed to have 
 been without the scope of the new school. 
 
 The American Osteopathic Association, com- 
 prising, as it does, more than half of the entire 
 profession, is a remarkable illustration of the 
 scientific earnestness of osteopathic practitioners. 
 The national organization of no other school of 
 practice has anj^where near such a proportion of 
 its followers as members. The annual conven- 
 tions of this association illustrate this same point, 
 as fully one-third of the members attend these 
 sessions compared with the one-tenth which 
 attend the conclaves of the national bodies of 
 the other schools of practice. The official journal 
 of the association has attained a height of scien- 
 tific recognition. It publishes monthly technical 
 papers on the various specialties and also the re- 
 ports of research work and the results of hospital 
 experience. 
 
 Laboratory specialists have produced revolu- 
 tionary results in their experiments in the A. T. 
 Still Research Institute in Chicago. Dr. John 
 Deason has succeeded in producing cures in an 
 uninterrupted series of cases of monkeys afflicted 
 with sleeping sickness, and Dr. Louisa Burns, 
 
 [168] 
 
OSTEOPATHIC SPECIALISTS 
 
 one of the most eminent osteopathic text-book 
 authors, has announced to the world the discovery 
 of a new disease produced by yeast in the blood. 
 She has also discovered that by testing the blood 
 pressure it can be accurately ascertained whether 
 or not any patient is telling the truth. 
 
 Perhaps the discovery which has attracted 
 more wide-spread attention all over the country 
 than any other made in osteopathic ranks, during 
 the past few years, has been that of osteopathic 
 cure for deafness. This development by Dr. 
 James D. Edwards of St. Louis, and Dr. J. Deason 
 of Chicago, is another of those feats of bloodless 
 surgery which were made so famous by Lorenz, 
 the great orthopedic surgeon from Vienna, and 
 Still of Kirksville, Missouri, the founder of 
 Osteopathy. Instead of burdening the patient 
 with various trumpets and telephones and other 
 external devices to try to make a deaf ear hear, 
 Dr. Edwards went right to the root of the matter 
 and applied his treatment according to the basic 
 principles of Osteopathy itself; that is, to the 
 cause instead of the effect. Without the use of 
 the knife or any surgical instruments, the dis- 
 coverer of this operation, by means of his fingers 
 alone, explores the back of the throat and the 
 vault between the throat and the nose, breaking 
 down the tiny adhesions which twist the eus- 
 tachian tube out of its normal position. By this 
 
 [169] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 method he is able to place the tube in its normal 
 position and to drain it of its accmnulation of 
 diseased material so that nature may have an 
 opportunity to effect a cure. Many Osteopaths 
 in different parts of the country have now learned 
 this method. It is applicable only to catarrhal 
 deafness. 
 
 The cure of hay fever by somewhat analogous 
 methods is the latest triumph in the achievements 
 of Dr. Edwards. 
 
 '^The Osteopathic Lorenz'' is a title which has 
 been freely given to Dr. George Laughlin, pro- 
 fessor of orthopedic surgery at the xAjnerican 
 School of Osteopathy and osteopathic surgeon to 
 the hospital at Kirksville, Missouri. For years 
 Dr. Laughlin has been performing an enormous 
 number of orthopedic operations, particularly 
 for the condition which the famous surgeon from 
 Vienna came to this country to operate upon, 
 namely, congenital dislocation of the hip. In 
 the middle west they have so recognized the 
 superiority of Dr. Laughlin's procedure over 
 that of Lorenz that they have named his modifica- 
 tion of the Viennese procedure '^The Laughlin 
 Operation.'^ Dr. Laughlin's modification of the 
 famous Abbott operation for lateral curvature of 
 the spine has attracted great interest in surgical 
 circles in the west. In both of these serious and 
 important operations. Dr. Laughlin utiUzes the 
 
 C 170 ] 
 
OSTEOPATHIC SPECIALISTS 
 
 osteopathic principles of bloodless surgery to 
 such an extent that the elements of pain and 
 danger are greatly lessened and the possibilities 
 of benefit much increased. 
 
 On the Pacific coast Dr. Otis F. Akin is duplicat- 
 ing the great work done by Dr. Laughlin. Dr. 
 Akin has had experience in all of the great clinics 
 in this country and Europe and has had the 
 advantage of personal contact with the masters 
 of orthopedic surgery in other lands. He worked 
 with Dr. Abbott of Portland and has become an 
 adept in the application of the latter^s method in 
 the treatment of spinal curvatiu-e. Among Dr. 
 Akin's triumphs has been his success with the 
 wonderful operation for tuberculosis of the spine 
 by means of which complete recovery is effected 
 in a few weeks, instead of a few years as by the 
 old-fashioned procedure. 
 
 In the east among those who have been con- 
 spicuous in the success of their achievements in 
 the specialty of orthopedic surgery, may be 
 mentioned Dr. E. M. Downing of York, Pa., 
 and Dr. Ralph Williams of Rochester, N. Y., 
 both of whom have accomplished much with 
 their modification of the Abbott operation. 
 
 In general surgery it is probably safe to say 
 that no man in any school of practice has ever 
 made a more brilliant rise than Dr. George A. 
 Still, surgeon-in-chief of the hospital of the 
 
 [171] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 American School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, 
 Mo. Few surgeons in this country perform 
 more operations during the year than does Dr. 
 Still. Patients are referred to him by osteopathic 
 practitioners located throughout the middle west. 
 
 One of the specialties which has made phenome- 
 nal progress in osteopathic circles during the 
 past year is that of the care of mental diseases. 
 At Macon, Mo., there has been established a 
 large institution for the exclusive treatment of 
 mental cases by osteopathic methods. Under 
 the superintendency of Dr. Arthur Hildreth, one 
 of the pioneers in the profession, and under the 
 technical direction of Dr. L. Von Horn Gerdine, 
 professor of nervous and mental disease of the 
 American School of Osteopathy, the startling 
 discovery has been made that a number of sup- 
 posedly incurable mental diseases are cured by 
 osteopathic treatment. 
 
 In -Los Angeles the latest word seems to have 
 been spoken in the co-operation of specialists 
 among Osteopaths, as eight practitioners, each 
 with an exclusive specialty, have opened a co- 
 operative establishment where they all work 
 together. The several specialties included in 
 this osteopathic institution are women's and 
 children's diseases, skin diseases, surgery, eye, 
 ear, nose and throat, dentistry, mental and 
 nervous diseases, X-ray and other laboratory 
 
 [ 172 ] 
 
OSTEOPATHIC SPECIALISTS 
 
 diagnoses. The specialists associated together 
 in this work are: Dr. Merritt M. Ring, Dr. 
 Edward Strong Merrill, Dr. W. Curtis Brigham, 
 Dr. Walter B. Goodfellow, Dr. Carl H. Phinney, 
 Dr. Herman E. Beckwith, Dr. H. Brenton Brigham 
 and Dr. J. Wesley Scott. 
 
 The surprising interest of the public in the so- 
 called ^Hwilight sleep '^ shows the tendency to 
 revolt from the traditional methods. In no line 
 of osteopathic work is there more amazement at 
 results than in obstetrical work. Dr. Charles 
 Still, son of the founder of Osteopathy, and Dr. 
 M. E. Clark of Indianapolis, are two of the men 
 who have attained the greatest reputation in 
 this specialty, although there are hundreds of 
 general practitioners who have accomplished 
 splendid things in this work. 
 
 ^^ Better babies'^ by the hundreds are the result 
 of the splendid work done by Dr. Jenette BoUes 
 of Denver, Dr. Roberta Wimer-Ford of Seattle 
 and a number of other noble osteopathic practi- 
 tioners who are devoting their lives to the specialty 
 of children's diseases and the campaign for the 
 betterment of conditions for both mothers and 
 infants. 
 
 Tic doloreaux is the latest disease conquered 
 in the progress of Osteopathy. Dr. Christopher 
 D. Thore of Boston recently discovered an entirely 
 new cause for this painful and intractable condi- 
 
 [173] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 tion and demonstrated the simplest osteopathic 
 method of removing it. 
 
 Dr. Frank Farmer of Chicago, who is director 
 of the case record department of the American 
 Academy of Osteopathic Research, has attained 
 national fame as a diagnostician. 
 
 Dr. Carl P. McConnell of Chicago, one of the 
 pioneer osteopathic specialists, continues to be 
 known as a master of technique. Dr. H. A. 
 Redfield of Fairmont, Minn., is known all over 
 the coimtry in this school of practice as an expert 
 oculist. 
 
 The campaign against the great white plague 
 receives added impetus by the work of Dr. W. 
 B. Meacham of Asheville, N. C, who has dem- 
 onstrated conclusively that there is a distinct 
 relation between vertebral irregularities and pul- 
 monary tuberculosis. Dr. Meacham has also 
 proven that the adjustment of these bones may, 
 in some cases, materially assist the process of 
 recovery. 
 
 Dr. Percy WoodalFs text-book on gynecology 
 is an evidence of his standing in his specialty. 
 Dr. Dain L. Tasker of Los Angeles has a monu- 
 ment to his reputation in the form of his text-book 
 on the Principles of Osteopathy. 
 
 Dr. Charles Hazzard of New York City will 
 always be looked up to by his former students 
 because of the prestige of his book on '^Osteo- 
 
 [174] 
 
OSTEOPATHIC SPECIALISTS 
 
 pathic Practice/' Dr. Charles Teall of Fulton, 
 N. Y., is known to the profession as an authority 
 on displacements of the innominate bone. Dr. 
 E. E. Tucker of New York City has for several 
 years devoted his attention to the ductless glands. 
 It is impossible within the limits of this chapter 
 to include the names of many practitioners who 
 are entirely deserving of mention as there are 
 scores of osteopathic physicians and surgeons who 
 have been modestly pursuing particular lines of 
 research not only to their own advantage, but 
 to the distinct advancement of their profession 
 and the lasting benefit of humanity. 
 
 [175] 
 
Osteopathic diagnosis means hut one thing: 
 find the cause. 
 
 Osteopathic therapeutics has to do with hut 
 one thing : the removal oj the cause. 
 
 — G. W. Riley, Ph.B., D.O. 
 
 C176] 
 
OSTEOPATHIC INSTITUTIONS 
 
 SPECIAL ARTICLE BY C. M. T. HULETT, D.O. 
 
 Osteopathy is knowledge, or it is nothing. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
Every great institution is the lengthened shadow 
 of one man. 
 
 — Ralph Waldo Emerson 
 
OSTEOPATHIC INSTITUTIONS 
 
 By C. M. T. HULETT, D.O. 
 
 THE growth of Osteopathy on the side of 
 individual practice is the way it is known 
 to most people. They are less familiar with its 
 institutional growth. Many are hardly aware 
 of the existence of osteopathic institutions. But 
 we want such people to understand that Osteop- 
 athy can make a very creditable exhibit in this 
 line. 
 
 The profession is well organized. Its national 
 association has over three thousand members 
 and receives and disburses a large sum annually 
 in broad-gauged public work. One hundred 
 twenty-five state and subsidiary societies in this 
 country and Canada serve the more local needs 
 and interests of the profession and patrons. 
 The British Osteopathic Society is active in its 
 field in Great Britain. 
 
 Periodical literature of a high order, covering 
 the scientific, professional, public health and 
 popular fields is well supported by the profession. 
 Numerous text-books concerning the various 
 branches of the science have been published by 
 
 [179] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 members of the profession in addition to several 
 brochures, monographs, and popular books and 
 booklets. Both novels and plays, with osteo- 
 pathic correction of a lesion as a key to the plot, 
 have been received by the American public. 
 
 Osteopathy has seven colleges in which young 
 men and women are educated for entering the 
 profession. 
 
 The American School of Osteopathy, Kirksville, 
 Mo. 
 
 The Massachusetts College of Osteopathy, 
 Boston, Mass. 
 
 The College of Osteopathic Physicians and 
 Surgeons, Los Angeles, Cal. 
 
 The Central College of Osteopathy, Kansas 
 City, Mo. 
 
 The Philadelphia College of Osteopathy, Phila- 
 delphia, Pa. 
 
 The Des Moines Still College of Osteopathy, 
 Des Moines, la. 
 
 The Chicago College of Osteopathy, Chicago, 
 111. 
 
 Including surgery, the course of study is now 
 four years. The curriculum evolved to conform 
 to the osteopathic concept of disease, parallels 
 the medical curriculum and produces thoroughly 
 qualified physicians. 
 
 Osteopathic hospitals and sanatoriums are too 
 many to name here. Suffice it to say that they 
 
 [180] 
 
OSTEOPATHIC INSTITUTIONS 
 
 are well enough distributed throughout the 
 country, so that any case, surgical or otherwise, 
 may be cared for under osteopathic auspices. 
 The American Osteopathic Association maintains 
 a Bureau of Clinics which assists the local osteo- 
 pathic organizations in the establishment of 
 public clinics. In some of the large cities osteo- 
 pathic clinics supported by the profession have 
 been established for the care of such cases as are 
 in need of osteopathic treatment but are unable 
 to employ a physician. 
 
 At Macon, Missouri, is a sanatorium dedicated 
 exclusively to the treatment of mental diseases. 
 Very encouraging results have already been 
 obtained in cases of insanity treated there, 
 although the institution has been in operation 
 but a short time. The published records of this 
 sanatorium show a higher percentage of cures 
 under the osteopathic care of the various insanities 
 than under any other known method of treatment. 
 
 The Woman^s Department of the Bureau of 
 Public Health of the American Osteopathic As- 
 sociation is conducting a campaign for woman's 
 welfare, national in its scope. 
 
 The Academy of Clinical Research has been 
 organized for the collection and systematization 
 of osteopathic case records. The profession is 
 co-operating in collecting and preparing the 
 records for the use of the Academy. 
 
 [181] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 Osteopathy strikes a new note in the world's 
 knowledge of disease. As to cause, course and 
 cure, it is the great advance of the twentieth 
 century. It represents a great basic principle 
 correlating a multitude of lesser principles. Re- 
 search, therefore, has always enlisted the liveliest 
 interest of the profession, and steps were taken 
 early to provide for it. The A. T. Still Research 
 Institute was established for this purpose. Its 
 two chief functions are original investigation, 
 and advanced special teaching for physicians. 
 Located in Chicago, to be convenient geographi- 
 cally, its plans call for extensive laboratory, 
 clinic, and hospital facilities, of the highest order. 
 It is supported entirely by endowment provided 
 by the profession and its friends. 
 
 [182] 
 
OSTEOPATHY AND SURGERY 
 
 [Reprinted by permission from the catalogue of the Ameri- 
 can School of Osteopathy] 
 
 Osteopathy has but little use for the knife, hut 
 when no human skill can avail to save life 
 or limb without knife and saw, then we are 
 willing to use anything or any method to save 
 that life. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
There is hack of Osteopathy a lineage of the 
 thought of all of the ages. 
 
 — W. L. RiGGS, D.O. 
 
OSTEOPATHY AND SURGERY 
 
 By GEO. A. STILL, M.S., M.D., D.O. 
 
 OSTEOPATHY has prevented so many thou- 
 sands of useless operations and is so generally 
 opposed to the methods of the old schools that at 
 first thought it might be inferred that it is unal- 
 terably opposed to surgery, and that a surgery 
 course would find no part in the curriculum of an 
 osteopathic school. 
 
 Such, however, is not the case, as there are 
 many conditions which from their very nature 
 require surgical treatment; and it is not the 
 purpose of Osteopathy to dictatorially oppose 
 anything in the old school that is of real value. 
 
 Indeed, when one comes to look at it, surgery 
 and Osteopathy are from their nature more 
 closely related than surgery and medicine. Os- 
 teopathy is the physical or manual manipulation 
 of the bodily structures, without instruments, 
 one might say; while surgery in a somewhat 
 different way, it is true, handles the bodily struc- 
 tures physically and manually with instruments. 
 
 Efficiency in either must essentially rest on an 
 accurate knowledge of anatomy, supplemented 
 
 [185] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 with physiology and pathology. Every study 
 that must be emphasized in the groundwork or 
 foundation knowledge of one must also be just 
 as much emphasized in the preliminary training 
 in the other. 
 
 Medicine, on the other hand, is essentially 
 based on alchemy and mysticism. It is note- 
 worthy that all medical schools refer to themselves 
 as colleges of ^^ Physicians and Sm*geons.'' It is 
 also well to note that ^^chirurgery,'' from which 
 we derive the word surgery, really means to 
 ^'manipulate.'' It is true that the absolute 
 insufficiency of medicine has made siugery cover 
 a great deal of ground and devise many dangerous 
 operations that with the advent of Osteopathy 
 will be, and indeed are, being made obsolete. 
 
 In every case surgery is the complement of 
 Osteopathy. Osteopathy adjusts structures so 
 that healthy nerve and blood supply to the part 
 involved allows it to combat or cure the diseased 
 condition. When, through traimia, violence or 
 other causes, this cannot be accomplished solely 
 by good blood supply, then the local tissues 
 themselves must be grossly readjusted. In child- 
 birth, lacerations, certain types of congenital 
 deformities, certain kinds of tumors, etc., surgery 
 must step in. Surgery repairs cuts, removes 
 tissues so badly diseased or degenerated that re- 
 generation is impossible, and, as suggested, 
 
 [ 186 ] 
 
OSTEOPATHY AND SURGERY 
 
 complements the other part of rational thera- 
 peutics. 
 
 Thousands of cases that under the unsuccessful 
 treatment by drugs were consigned to surgery 
 are proven by Osteopathy to be readily curable 
 without operation, but for those conditions where 
 surgery is needed, surgery finds not an enemy but 
 an ally in drugless science. 
 
 Improbable as it seemed some years back, it 
 is inevitable that in time Osteopathy and surgery 
 (rationalized and changed much from its average 
 status of today) will align themselves against the 
 fallacies of medicine. 
 
 Osteopathy, like all other sciences, must grow 
 and develop, as from the nature of things it could 
 not begin already developed. When the school 
 was first organized, surgery was given a minor 
 place. For one reason, the demand for practi- 
 tioners was so great and so insistent and the 
 supply so small that there was little time to learn 
 things other than Osteopathy. But the success 
 of the early men was so pronounced that the 
 world began to demand that the osteopathic 
 physician be able to do all the things necessary 
 for the health and comfort of his patient which 
 any other physician could do. It is especially 
 noteworthy that aside from anesthetics (and 
 antidotes) this has not and never will include the 
 giving of drugs. 
 
 C 187 ] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 Neither osteopathically nor medically should 
 the practice of major surgery and general practice 
 be combined; and yet the general practitioner 
 must handle emergency and minor surgical cases, 
 must diagnose and advise major surgery, and 
 have a fair understanding of its technique and 
 results, and frequently must give after-treatment. 
 
 [188] 
 
HOW OSTEOPATHY TREATS 
 THE BLOOD 
 
 [Reprinted by permission from the Journal of Osteopathy] 
 
 Let the Osteopath follow the course of the blood 
 from the heart to its destination and return, 
 and remove all obstructions, open all doors; 
 for on it we depend for all the joys of perfect 
 form and functioning, which is health. 
 
 •—A. T. Still 
 
On every voyage of exploration , I have been 
 able to bring a cargo of indisputable truths, 
 that all remedies necessary to health exist in 
 the human body. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
HOW OSTEOPATHY TREATS 
 THE BLOOD 
 
 By C. p. McCONNELL, D.O. 
 
 USING a commercial phrase, the blood may 
 be at par, or it may be below par, as to its 
 real value to the bodily economy. A person may 
 be anemic when there is a diminished quantity 
 of blood, for example, from a hemorrhage, or the 
 quality of the blood may not be normal, as from 
 impaired digestion. It is well known that pure 
 blood is an absolute essential for health. The 
 blood is the medium whereby all organs and 
 parts of the body are suppUed with nourishment 
 for repair and growth. 
 
 The lajonan is fairly versed in anemia. He 
 knows that it generally means a low-grade quality 
 of blood. When a physician informs a patient, 
 and he very frequently does, that he is anemic 
 and needs building up, the patient is usually 
 satisfied with the diagnosis. Then come the 
 iron preparations ad libitum as well as many other 
 so-called 'Honics,^^ to enforce a better character 
 of blood, but the much abused blood too often 
 sulks and really pays no attention to the ^Honics.'' 
 
 [ 191 ] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 Why is it that the iron preparations, for ex- 
 ample, are absolutely useless when the blood 
 analysis shows a deficiency of the element iron? 
 For the simple reason that nine times out of ten 
 anemia is not a disease but a symptom of some 
 digestive disorder, as is a pain a symptom of 
 some nerve disorder, and more iron is not required 
 in the digestive tract, if the diet is right, but 
 rather the ability to assimilate more iron into the 
 system is lacking. Thus, it is at once seen that 
 we must go back of the sjrmptom (an expression 
 of disease) anemia, and seek the cause, although 
 the symptom may be most pronounced and over- 
 shadow all others. The various ^Honics^^ are 
 well known to be empty dreams of past decades. 
 The real tonics, outside of osteopathic treatment 
 when indicated, are plenty of wholesome food, 
 pure water, fresh air and exercise. 
 
 There are five ways, at least, by which the blood 
 is influenced and treated by Osteopathy. 
 
 GENERAL TREATMENT 
 
 It is a common statement of the prospective 
 osteopathic patient that he can see how Osteop- 
 athy can improve the circulation, but to attempt 
 to cure an organic disease seems ridiculous. 
 From his limited viewpoint, of course, the utter- 
 ance is a sincere one. The patient realizes that 
 any exercise or activity of the bodily tissues aids 
 
 [192] 
 
THE BLOOD 
 
 the circulation, and, to him at first. Osteopathy 
 appeals as a variety of passive movements. The 
 fact of the matter is, the general osteopathic 
 treatment is less potent and precise than most 
 of the other methods of blood treatment. 
 
 The general treatment tends to equalize the 
 blood distribution by aiding the heart action, 
 drawing blood to weakened areas and dispersing 
 blood from congested tissues. This treatment 
 affects principally the circulation of the blood as 
 to its distribution, a quantitative effect, and but 
 little, and that indirectly, in a qualitative manner. 
 
 LOCAL TREATMENT 
 
 The various local treatments for treating the 
 blood are purely treatments of distribution, that 
 is, lessening congestion or reducing inflamma- 
 tion, and increasing the blood to a weakened area 
 or organ. To relieve the congestive headache, 
 the congested liver, an inflamed ovary or a 
 sprained ankle, requires a definite, specific treat- 
 ment as and where indicated. The same is true 
 to tone up an atonized stomach, a paralyzed 
 muscle or a withered limb. 
 
 REFLEX BLOOD INFLUENCES 
 
 A congested brain, an inflamed eyelid or some 
 poorly nourished organ may be the result of a 
 reflex vaso-motor neurosis. That is, the little 
 
 C193] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 nerves that control the cahber of the blood 
 vessels may be affected reflexly from some diseased 
 organ or tissue, the same as a pain may be a reflex 
 symptom over a sensory nerve. Cold hands and 
 feet are often reflex vaso-motor neuroses from 
 indigestion. Cure the indigestion and the source 
 of nervous irritation to the vaso-motor nerves 
 of the hands and feet will disappear, allowing 
 the blood vessels to normally dilate and act, 
 consequently a freer blood distribution. This 
 kind of interference to the blood supply may 
 take place in any tissue or organ of the body. 
 
 DIGESTIVE AND ASSIMILATIVE INFLUENCES 
 
 We have now come to one of the most impor- 
 tant methods of blood treatment. Here we really 
 have to do with a blood disease. To influence 
 the blood organically, to give the patient a rich, nor- 
 mal blood, has been the medical problem for ages. 
 
 Osteopathic treatment, unquestionably, offers 
 more relief to the anemic patient than all other 
 methods combined several times over. One im- 
 portant way the blood is rendered anemic, that is, 
 poor and deficient in red blood corpuscles, is from 
 indigestion. The stomach, intestines, pancreas 
 and liver not functioning normally, the intestinal 
 juices not digesting the food completely, the 
 tissues of the stomach and intestines not taking 
 
 [194] 
 
THE BLOOD 
 
 up the digested particles of food wholly and 
 freely, and the blood not assimilating the same 
 as it should, all result in non-assimilation, mal- 
 nutrition, in a word, anemia. Then, what must 
 be done? Tracing back the nerve supply of 
 these digestive organs to their centers, seeking 
 out the cause of the blockade of normal nerve 
 impulses, and removing the obstructions is w^hat 
 must be done. The Osteopath does this every 
 day of the week in his practice. He finds that 
 weakness and curvatures of the spinal colunm, 
 misplaced ribs, and contractured muscles are 
 frequent sources of the blockade to digestive 
 nerves and dependent blood vessels. His work is 
 to relieve and readjust the crippled parts — and 
 it is work that he accomplishes most successfully. 
 Absurd, certainly, to drug and dose the digestive 
 tract proper when the cause is invariably further 
 back, that is, in the nerves and blood vessels 
 controlling the digestive functions. The digestive 
 organs are below par as an effect, the assimilation 
 is poor as an effect, although one point further 
 removed from the cause, and the anemia is the 
 remote effect that caps the climax. Simply a 
 chain of pathological conditions, each symptom 
 or condition representing a link, although the 
 different links do not necessarily complete an 
 unbroken circle, is presented. There is an origin, 
 one link acting as the causative factor. 
 
 [195] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 Always give the anemic a liberal supply of 
 good, wholesome, well-cooked food (there is 
 plenty of iron, etc., in the food; it is a question 
 of ability to assimilate it on the part of the diges- 
 tive tract), pure water, fresh air in abundance. 
 
 THE BLOOD ELABORATING GLANDS 
 
 There are certain organs in the body as the 
 spleen, adrenals, thyroid gland, thymus gland, 
 pituitary body, etc., whose functions are little 
 understood, although it is well known that they 
 influence and elaborate the blood. It is not 
 necessary in this article to go into any detail 
 concerning facts as well as various theories about 
 the functions of these organs. Suffice it to say, 
 that they are organs that have secretions and 
 functions that profoundly affect the health of the 
 blood and as a consequence other tissues indirectly. 
 Osteopathy treats these organs and their disorders 
 successfully, and thus the blood. 
 
 Osteopathy also offers much along the line of 
 treatment of rendering and keeping the blood 
 germicidal. Consideration of the germicidal con- 
 stituents of the blood, or alexins, is important but 
 hardly comes within the scope of this article. 
 
 An equivalent to health is pure blood, normal 
 in amount and freely circulating. 
 
 [196] 
 
OSTEOPATHY AND THE GERM 
 THEORY 
 
 [Reprinted by permission from the Journal of Osteopathy] 
 
 Has chemistry ever detected a failure in the 
 normal processes in the fluids of life? Has 
 it ever found imperfection in the fluid itself, 
 or in any part or principle of the whole 
 economy of life? 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
A fact may and oftentimes does stay before our 
 eyes for all time powerful in truth, but we 
 heed not its lessons. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
OSTEOPATHY AND THE GERM 
 THEORY 
 
 By R. E. HAMILTON, M.Pd., D.O. 
 
 PRACTICALLY all the demonstrated facts of 
 bacteriology are in strict accord with the 
 principles of Osteopathy as laid down by its 
 founder and each year the theories regarding the 
 cure of diseases in which bacteria play a part 
 come closer to osteopathic ideas. 
 
 In the present theory of bacterial infection, 
 the following facts are well established. Of the 
 coimtless varieties of bacteria only a few are 
 capable of producing or influencing the course of 
 disease. The conditions for infection are virulence 
 of the germ, its large numbers and weakness of 
 the tissues. This last is in most cases a cardinal 
 condition, for it is now proved that the tissues 
 and fluids of the body are normally resistant to 
 the action of bacteria and that bacteria may 
 scarcely ever find lodgment in healthy tissue. 
 This is in complete accord with the osteopathic 
 idea that injury to an organ may come only 
 through obstruction to blood and nerve supply 
 (including disturbances in other parts of the 
 
 [199] 
 
CONCEKNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 body), lack of use, overuse, or direct injury from 
 external forces. 
 
 It is perhaps true that the virulence of germs 
 may be such that a few of them may set up dis- 
 turbances in a healthy organism, but these cases 
 as disease producers are undoubtedly rare. Some 
 of the conditions lowering the normal resistance 
 of the body to germ diseases are under-feeding 
 and feeding upon foods lacking in some element 
 necessary to the body; prolonged exposure 
 to cold; intoxication by alcohol or other drugs; 
 traumatic injury; severe hemorrhage; fatigue; 
 depressing hygienic conditions and disease. 
 
 HOW TO PREVENT INFECTIOUS DISEASES 
 
 Reasoning from the above given causes of 
 bacterial diseases, the answer to the question, 
 how to prevent them, is simple. First, keep the 
 body in the best possible condition; then, avoid 
 the chance for contact with disease-producing 
 germs. 
 
 To maintain the health of the body, the well 
 known rules of hygiene must be observed. Eat 
 the things which are known to agree with your 
 digestion; exercise moderately; rest and sleep 
 regularly; avoid excesses and exposures; and 
 have corrected the bodily disturbances due to 
 the accidents of life. 
 
 [200] 
 
THE GERM THEORY 
 
 Since nearly all disease germs flourish in dead 
 animal and vegetable matter, obviously, cleanli- 
 ness of person and surroundings is the best means 
 of avoiding contact with infectious germs. 
 
 The approved methods of removing and destroy- 
 ing infectious material are by the use of soap and 
 water, exposure to heat, exposure to sunlight, 
 and the use of chemicals. All these are effective 
 under the proper conditions so long as the germs 
 are outside the body. 
 
 THE CURE OF GERM DISEASES 
 
 Ever since the discovery of disease-producing 
 bacteria, physicians have worked eagerly to find 
 some drug which would kill disease germs after 
 they had lodged in the tissues. On account of 
 the numerous reported internal antiseptics, there 
 is a rather firmly grounded belief in the minds of 
 the majority of the laity that drugs are able to 
 kill infectious germs in the body substance. 
 This belief has also been held by part at least of 
 the physicians, but is being rapidly abandoned. 
 A few quotations from the writings of ^ Sir Almroth 
 E. Wright, one of the greatest bacteriologists of 
 today, will show the present status of antiseptic 
 dosage. 
 
 ^ Sir Almroth E. Wright, Enghsh bacteriologist, discoverer 
 of opsonins — noted for his discoveries in bacteriology. 
 
 [201] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 ''For some time past it has been all but universally 
 recognized that it is futile to attempt to check bacterial 
 growth in the interior of the organism by our present 
 antiseptics which have a greater affinity for constituent 
 elements of the body than they have for any bacteria/' 
 
 ''Significant in this connection appears to me the 
 fact that antiseptics are now by general consent aban- 
 doned in the treatment of ordinary surgical wounds. 
 Significant also is it that the practice of introducing 
 antiseptics into abscess cavities, which was erstwhile 
 so coromon, is now less and less frequently resorted to. 
 Significant again is it that the treatment by antiseptics 
 in case of bacterial invasions of mucus membranes is 
 today more and more frequently followed up by 
 curetting, scraping and so-called radical operations. 
 Above all, significant is it that so distinguished a 
 dermatologist as Sabourand ^ should sum up the re- 
 sults of antiseptic treatment of bacterial disease of 
 the skin as follows: 'Curious indeed is the failure of 
 antiseptics in connection with the treatment of bacterial 
 diseases of the skin. Quite colossal were the expecta- 
 tions which were entertained with regard to what 
 would be effected by these. What antiseptics have 
 accompHshed by their agency is in point of fact next 
 to nothing. The results which have been obtained in 
 connection with pulmonary infections by antiseptic 
 inhalations and in connection with bacterial infections 
 of the genito-urinary passages by "urinary'' and other 
 antiseptics are, I am persuaded, neither better nor 
 
 ^ Sabourand, French dermatologist, head of the greatest skin 
 clinic in the world. 
 [202] 
 
THE GERM THEORY 
 
 worse than those which have been obtained in connec- 
 tion with diseases of the skin. Now all of this failure 
 of antiseptics is, I am persuaded, only what might 
 have been expected.' '' 
 
 THE BODY'S DEFENSE 
 
 Having seen that germicidal drugs are worse 
 than useless for curing infectious diseases, let us 
 examine the defense of the body against bacteria 
 and their poisons. Most noticeable of the body's 
 germ destroyers are the white cells of the blood, 
 the action of some of which — the phagocytes — 
 is to ingest and destroy the invading organism. 
 There are also some tissue cells which possess 
 this property. But the body has other defense 
 in the activity of substances detrimental to the 
 growth of bacteria and antidotal to their toxic 
 substances. (See the theories of Metchnikof,^ 
 Biichner, Ehrlich and others.) All experiment 
 goes to show that the more nearly normal the 
 body organism is, the more of these ^^anti'^ 
 substances can be produced for defense against 
 disease. 
 
 ^ Metchnikof, late bacteriologist at Pasteur Institute. Well 
 known because of his writings on kumiss and old age. Biichner, 
 German bacteriologist, inventor of process for extraction of en- 
 zymes. Ehrlich, German "wizard of chemistry." Discoverer 
 of numerous compounds. 
 
 [203] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 ARTIFICIAL SERUMS 
 
 It has somewhat recently been discovered that 
 in defense against mild infections, antitoxins were 
 produced in excess in the blood and many experi- 
 ments have been performed for the purpose of 
 determining if this excessive activity of the blood 
 could not be made use of by producing ^^ animal- 
 made'^ antidotes for bacterial poisons. With a 
 few exceptions, these experiments have been 
 failures. The apparent success of diphtheria 
 antitoxin has encouraged great hopes in this line 
 of work. 
 
 Contrary to the general idea, the theory of 
 antitoxins is not in conflict with osteopathic 
 theories of disease (which, by the way, have from 
 the first recognized the importance of antidotes to 
 poisons), the osteopathic idea being, as before 
 stated, that the body furnishes its own cure. If 
 we are able to make one animal manufacture an 
 antidote to bacterial poisons for another one, 
 we have simply gained a new antidote to poisons. 
 It is not within the province of this article to 
 discuss serum therapy, but it should be added 
 that the question of antitoxins is much more 
 complicated than the uninitiated would suspect, 
 and there are many, and in some cases insur- 
 mountable, difficulties in the way of successful 
 antitoxin application. 
 
 [ 204 ] 
 
THE GERM THEORY 
 
 THE RATIONAL CURE 
 
 Taking into consideration the facts as above 
 set forth, the physician is able to assist in the 
 cure of infectious diseases by the following pro- 
 cedures : 
 
 1. Placing the patient in the best hygienic sur- 
 roundings with fresh air, quiet and rest (in acute cases) . 
 
 2. Since nourishment is a factor in infection, he 
 may see that the patient gets the best food possible 
 for his condition. 
 
 3. He should find and remove any other cause of 
 weakness, so-called constitutional treatment. It is 
 in this third condition that the Osteopath claims the 
 superiority of his methods of handhng cases of bacterial 
 diseases, for we can find no physiologic reason for the 
 administration of drugs for the purpose of effecting a 
 cure. 
 
 These causes of weakness are as follows: Im- 
 pediments to the blood and nerve supply to the 
 stomach and intestines, (the source of nourish- 
 ment); to the kidneys, (the organs of elimina- 
 tion); to the heart, (the blood distributor); to 
 the lungs, (the organs of respiratory exchange); 
 and to the brain and spinal cord, (the controlling 
 factor for all the rest). 
 
 It is a common occurrence for physicians to 
 stimulate one or more of these organs in acute 
 fevers, but obviously this is like whipping a tired 
 
 [205] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 horse and may be fatal when reaction sets m. 
 How much more logical it is to give the organism 
 the best possible opportunity by removing all 
 obstructions and letting it do its work in its own 
 way. 
 
 The tendency of all nature is toward the normal 
 condition and natiu'al force is the great healer in 
 all disease. 
 
 [206] 
 
THE VALUE OF OSTEOPATHY 
 TO THE CHILD 
 
 [Reprinted by permission from the Journal of Osteopathy] 
 
 We love every man, woman and child of our 
 race, so much that we have enlisted and 
 placed our lives in front of the enemy for 
 their good and the good of all coming genera- 
 tions. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
Ignorance, the mother of intolerance, bigotry 
 and superstition, the arch enemy of all prog- 
 ress, is responsible for a great deal of this 
 world^s suffering, including many of the dis- 
 orders of childhood. 
 
 — Geo. W. Reid, D.O. 
 
THE VALUE OF OSTEOPATHY 
 TO THE CHILD 
 
 By MINA ABBOTT ROBINSON, D.O. 
 
 IT is the duty of every osteopathic physician 
 not only to treat the various maladies of 
 children, but to teach the parents how to keep 
 their offspring physically strong and healthy, 
 as many serious diseases might be prevented by 
 regular and careful physical examination of the 
 child. Parents should be told that the careless 
 handling of infants often produces lesions of the 
 delicate structures. If these lesions are allowed 
 to remain uncorrected, they may mean suffering 
 and even invaUdism in later life. We call to 
 mind a case where a parent persisted in swinging 
 a child by its arms, producing upper dorsal and 
 rib lesions. As a result the child developed 
 asthma, which was finally cured by osteopathic 
 correction of these lesions. How often just such 
 cases do not have the good fortune to receive the 
 proper treatment! 
 
 Again, through the ignorance of the parents 
 many children develop spinal curvatures, induced 
 by faulty postures during the time of development 
 
 [209] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 of the physiologic cervico-lumbar curves. We 
 find many curvatures and various abnormal 
 conditions of bony structure, brought on by 
 allowing school children to assmne careless and 
 wrong positions while reading and writing. Of 
 great importance to the growing child is the 
 correct position in standing and walking, as a 
 good carriage, with chest well forward, means 
 better oxygenation, as well as a correct and 
 better position and relation of pelvic and ab- 
 dominal viscera. Then, too, there are the in- 
 evitable falls and blows which may produce 
 direct lesions, thereby lowering resistance and 
 paving the way for disease. 
 
 Hence the importance and necessity of having 
 children examined, at least twice a year, and 
 particularly following falls or injuries of any 
 kind, by a competent Osteopath, since the early 
 recognition and correction of any abnormal 
 condition that may predispose to or maintain 
 disease, will not only relieve suffering but will 
 make for a stronger and better race by preventing 
 the development of chronic pathologic processes. 
 
 Himianity owes a debt of gratitude to Dr. 
 Still for having given to the world a system of 
 therapeutics that can do so much in the prevention 
 of disease by keeping its children well and strong. 
 
 [210] 
 
WOMAN AND OSTEOPATHY 
 
 [Reprinted by permission from the Osteopathic Magazine] 
 
 We are to improve upon the failures of the past 
 and give the people a science of healing with 
 a philosophy that will feed the minds of the 
 thinking. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
Osteopathy possesses the greatest therapeutic 
 agent known to science. That agent is 
 simply nothing more than the adjustment of 
 structure. 
 
 — Geo. M. Laughlin, D.O. 
 
WOMAN AND OSTEOPATHY 
 
 ROBERTA WIMER-FORD, D.O. 
 
 RECENTLY, at an afternoon gathering a 
 prominent lecturer was asked, ^^What are 
 the greatest things the past century has brought 
 to women?'' He repHed, ^^ Equal suffrage and 
 Osteopathy." Without stopping to discuss the 
 first, we agree with the second. 
 
 It was a wonderful thing for the world to learn 
 that Osteopathy could safely carry a babe, from 
 the day of his birth through all the experiences, 
 conditions and vicissitudes of dentition, measles, 
 mumps, rashes, indigestions, whooping-cough, the 
 green apple period and the thousand other little 
 aches, without one drop of drugs! 
 
 That it could chaperone the girl through 
 adolescence into maturity, causing her to arrive 
 well, strong, rosy, athletic, free from ^^ nerves'' 
 and their accompanying consequences seems 
 marvellous. 
 
 But perhaps its crowning success was its 
 ability to remove from women the terrors that 
 for ages have been associated with partm-ition 
 and its preceding days. 
 
 [213] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 To experience the speedy banishing of the 
 unspeakable wretchedness accompanying '' morn- 
 ing sickness/' to be certain that the various aches 
 and distresses that arise throughout the whole 
 period could be routed, to know the hours of 
 labor would be much shortened, and the pains 
 greatly lessened, certainly was a wonderful emanci- 
 pation for half of the race. 
 
 Reflecting on this experience, and this knowl- 
 edge, and on the facts that babies born of mothers 
 who had had osteopathic treatment during gesta- 
 tion and parturition were stronger, more robust 
 and happier, and that the mothers themselves 
 recovered their strength more rapidly and were 
 able to preserve good figures, — wasn't it the 
 most natural thing that the lectiu'er should speak 
 of Osteopathy as one of the best gifts of the 
 century? 
 
 When it became generally known that con- 
 stipation, flatulence, and the depressing train of 
 symptoms associated with indigestion and head- 
 aches could be banished permanently by Oste- 
 opathy, and when it was shown that backaches, 
 legaches, and all the other aches intruding upon 
 the menstrual period, instead of having to be 
 endured, as women had for ages done, supposing 
 it to be their inevitable fate, could be cured 
 without drug or knife, and all these nightmares 
 of suffering relieved or prevented entirely, thou- 
 
 [214] 
 
WOMAN AND OSTEOPATHY 
 
 sands of women everywhere sought the services 
 of Osteopathy and sang its ^^hallelujahs.'' While 
 for the woman experiencing the menopause, 
 ^^ change of life/' or to one with nervous exhaus- 
 tion, the comfort and benefit that Osteopathy 
 affords is almost past belief. 
 
 Thus it has been shown that from the minute 
 of her arrival into this existence to the hour 
 of her departure, Osteopathy is the intimate, 
 personal, constant friend and benefactor of 
 womankind. 
 
 [215] 
 
The osteopathic concept of the human organism 
 conflicts seriously with the old order of 
 beliefs. It is purely scientific and insists 
 that the explanation for abnormal functions 
 is true both as to physical and psychical 
 nature and must be explained by and through 
 defective anatomy, or defective adjustments of 
 part to part in the organism as a mechanism; 
 holding firm to the truth that every activity 
 performed by the organism, either physical or 
 psychical, that concerns us as physicians, is 
 the product of cellular activity, whether desir- 
 able or undesirable in character. When the 
 functioning is of an undesirable nature, the 
 explanation thereof must be present in the 
 organism, just as a desirable function has its 
 foundation in structure. 
 
 That this view of the organism is a truth, 
 is very difficult of acceptation by many. It 
 furnishes the explanation of why so many are 
 unable to accept the osteopathic point of view. 
 To do so necessitates a readjustment of many 
 views which have been held since the earliest 
 years of life. These old beliefs do not die 
 without making protests. 
 
 — C. B. Atzen, d.o. 
 
OSTEOPATHY A PREVENTIVE 
 OF DISEASE 
 
 / have long believed that an engineer of the 
 human body was the sick man^s only hope. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
Osteopathic treatment is prophylactic because 
 the physical defects in the anatomical 
 structure may be discovered long before they 
 begin to create much disturbance in function. 
 
 — Orren E. Smith, D.O. 
 
OSTEOPATHY A PREVENTIVE 
 OF DISEASE 
 
 By G. V. WEBSTER, D.O. 
 
 PREVENTION is today the key-note of all 
 thought having reference to disease. In 
 the past the greatest consideration was given to 
 the element of cure, but with the advance of 
 hygiene, dietetics, and sanitation the thought is 
 concentrating more and more about the idea of 
 prevention. Prevention is acknowledged as better 
 than cure and efforts are being directed to make 
 the ideal a reality. 
 
 The idea of prevention has three phases, two 
 of which are commonly recognized by hygienists 
 and sanitary engineers. The first is the applica- 
 tion of preventive hygiene to society and the 
 second is its application to the individual, the 
 component of society. The third consideration 
 is distinctly a contribution of the osteopathic 
 school, going beyond the general sanitation of a 
 social group and the hygiene of the individual to 
 the hygiene of each of the twenty-six billion cells 
 that go to make up the structure of that individual. 
 
 [219] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 Dr. Still has expressed it, '^AU of the blood 
 must move all of the time in all parts to and from 
 the organs." And again, ^'A disturbed artery- 
 marks the beginning to an hour and a minute 
 when disease begins to sow its seed of destruction 
 in the human body. The rule of the artery must 
 be absolute, universal and unobstructed, or 
 disease will be the result''; for the blood stream 
 carrying the nutrition to and the waste material 
 from the individual cells, which are bathed in 
 lymph, accomplishes the hygienic supervision of 
 the life of each cell. 
 
 This is wherein Osteopathy scores a point in 
 advancement over accepted means of sanitary 
 and hygienic prophylaxis. It recognizes and 
 employs all the scientific teachings of sanitation 
 and hygiene and at the same time carries the 
 health campaign beyond the individual to the 
 individual cell. As society is made up of indi- 
 viduals, so the human organism is made up of 
 cells, and in the last analysis the health of the 
 community, of the individual and of the component 
 parts of the individual are all primarily dependent 
 upon the integrity of the unit of animal life, the 
 cell. 
 
 "The individual cells of the body depend on the 
 supply of nourishment brought to them by the circulat- 
 ing fluids of the body. The protoplasm of the cell is a 
 complex, chemical substance made up of an enormous 
 [220] 
 
The ''Old Doctor" Studying a Femur 
 
 " The better I am acquainted with the parts and principles of this 
 machine — man — the louder it speaks that from start to finish it is the 
 work of some trustworthy architect; and all the mysteries concerning 
 health disappear just in proportion to man^s acquaintance with 
 this sacred product, its parts and principles, separate, united or in 
 action. It is an honor to its Builder who should he respected for the 
 perfection set forth and shown by man as a product of Life and its 
 constructive intelligence.' ' 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
OSTEOPATHY A PREVENTIVE 
 
 number of complex molecules. These molecules, on 
 account of the looseness of the combination of their 
 atoms, require sufficient crude material brought to 
 them to maintain the proper atomic tension. Upon 
 this tension is based the resistance to normal or ab- 
 normal stimuli. The necessary food for cell protoplasm 
 is brought to the cells by blood and lymph. Since cell 
 protoplasm is entirely dependent upon the circulating 
 media, any disturbance of these media changes the 
 metabohsm of the cell, and hence a change in resistance 
 results. This resistance may be varied by failure on 
 either the arterial or venous side of the general circula- 
 tion, resulting in changed lymph circulation. The 
 constant removal of kataboUc products (broken down 
 tissue), is of as much importance as the constant 
 renewal of material for anaboKsm (tissue construc- 
 tion).'' 
 
 — Dain L. Tasker, D.O. {Principles of Osteopathy) 
 
 Osteopathy, by recognizing mechanical dis- 
 turbances in the body as an interference with the 
 local or general cell life of that individual, is able 
 by means of corrective treatment to promote 
 the normal flow of blood, Ijrmph and nerve forces 
 in the body, upon which cell life depends for its 
 integrity, and so becomes a most potent factor 
 in disease prevention. 
 
 Dr. Geo. W. Riley, in the Britannica Year 
 Book (1913), gives a few paragraphs as follows, 
 which describe the position of Osteopathy as a 
 prophylactic measure: 
 
 [221] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 ''Osteopathic prevention or prophylaxis comprises: 
 systemic examination for incipient lesions, and their 
 correction before function becomes disordered; indi- 
 vidual hygiene and right-Kving; pubhc education in 
 the correct use of the body to avoid structural injury, 
 and in sanitation and all conditions conducive to 
 favorable environment of Ufe. It is a complete system 
 of the healing art. 
 
 '^ Osteopathy teaches the self-sufficiency of the nor- 
 mal vital mechanism. In other than normal conditions 
 this principle powerfully manifests itself; the hyper- 
 trophy of the heart muscle in valvular insufficiency, 
 the heahng of a wound, the recovery of the body from 
 'Ught-attack' diseases without any treatment, are all 
 instances of the seK-sufficiency of the body to repair 
 pathological conditions, traumatic and otherwise. 
 Every healed wound, every hunch back, every particle 
 of scar tissue, every adhesion, is but a mute witness of 
 the self-sufficiency of the mechanism, of the efforts 
 of Nature to heal disease, and they bear further witness 
 that it was only due to the severe and persistent im- 
 pairment of the mechanism of the body that complete 
 repair was not effected. The more intensive the study 
 of the minute mechanics and functioning of the body, 
 the clearer becomes the law of its self-sufficiency. 
 
 '^ The discovery of opsonins and anti-bodies and their 
 efficacy, together with that of the thyroid and other 
 glandular preparations, is a mark of gradual recognition 
 and acknowledgment of the self-sufficiency of the body, 
 when normaUzed and mechanically stimulated to the 
 maximum exhibition of its reparative and auto- 
 
 [222] 
 
OSTEOPATHY A PREVENTIVE 
 
 protective processes. One of the missions of Osteop- 
 athy is so to normahze and stimulate the vital 
 mechanism that it will manufacture in all necessary 
 abundance its normal supporting and protecting 
 chemical compounds absolutely pure and sterile." 
 
 [223] 
 
Every system of curing human ills which is 
 based on the known facts of anatomy and 
 physiology will last, because it is true. When 
 systems of drug medication are known only 
 as history, Osteopathy will be ministering to 
 the human race, because it knows no other 
 path than that which leads to greater truths 
 in physiology and anatomy. 
 
 — Dain L. Tasker, D.O. 
 
A DELICATE QUESTION 
 
 [Reprinted by permission from Life] 
 
 A person may be very fluent in words and very 
 foolish in practice. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
A theory may do for today and be a clog to the 
 foot of progress tomorrow. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
A DELICATE QUESTION 
 
 IS a man's first duty to his own family or to 
 his client? 
 
 Take for instance a patient — call him William 
 — who is being treated for a disease considered 
 incurable. His doctor, of the old school, tells 
 him frankly and kindly that the best they can do 
 is to hold the disease in check, prolong William's 
 life, perhaps, and make his remaining days com- 
 fortable. While the treatment is going on, Wil- 
 liam begins to hear tales of what the Osteopaths 
 are doing. His friends tell him of sudden cures of 
 cases resembling his own. William hates quack- 
 ery, but as he cannot ignore this testimony, he 
 finally mentions the subject to his doctor. His 
 doctor, a liberal-minded man, tells William, regret- 
 fully that while the Osteopaths, like other quacks, 
 produce temporary results that amaze the igno- 
 rant, they work far more harm than good; that 
 Osteopathy is merely a form of massage at best and 
 that William's disease is a deeper matter. Besides 
 the osteopathic treatment is rough and often 
 dangerous. 
 
 WiUiam is secretly relieved by this information, 
 for he hates changes and has no use for all the 
 new ^'pathies.'' 
 
 [227] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 But the surprising tales persist in reaching 
 him. Even members of his own family relate 
 extraordinary cures of seemingly hopeless cases, 
 without drugs or surgery. Finally, to make a long 
 story short, William, who does want to live, visits 
 an Osteopath. He is ashamed, but he does it. 
 The theory and treatment, as explained to him, 
 certainly seem rational. Moreover, he finds that 
 these Osteopaths are curing cases much worse 
 than his own. And when William himself is 
 cured he blames the old-school doctor for not 
 sending him at once to an Osteopath. 
 
 But is William just? 
 
 Is it ever expected that a lawyer, a doctor, an 
 architect or any man of standing shall say to his 
 client, ^'Go to my rival. He is wiser than I am. 
 Give your money to him instead of to me? '' 
 
 In accusing the old-school doctor of fraud, 
 William is doubly unfair, as that doctor despises 
 the Osteopath and honestly believes him a quack. 
 And we all know how easy it is to believe what is 
 most desirable. 
 
 William argues, however, that the success of 
 Osteopathy now being common knowledge, when 
 he pays for advice, the doctor should give whatever 
 advice is most likely to lead to a cure. The doctor 
 might argue that he gave William what William 
 paid for, the best treatment he knew how to give. 
 
 Which is right? 
 
 [228] 
 
THE RESULTS OF OSTEOPATHIC 
 PRACTICE 
 
 NoWj Lord, we beseech Thee, once in a great 
 while to pummel our heads with the hailstones 
 of reason. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
Osteopathy today represents the substitution of 
 spinal treatment for internal medication. It 
 has no fight against the bathtub and the diet 
 kitchen but against pills and Peruna. 
 
 — Geo. a. Still, M.S., M.D., D.O. 
 
THE RESULTS OF OSTEOPATHIC 
 PRACTICE 
 
 By G. V. WEBSTER, D.O. 
 
 WHEREVER the banner of Osteopathy has 
 been raised, victories have been achieved. 
 Structural and environmental adjustments have 
 been made; suffering has been relieved, and 
 individuals have found life more tolerable because 
 of osteopathic ministrations. 
 
 The results of osteopathic work in the aggregate 
 make a very creditable record. Diseases which 
 were considered incurable have yielded to the 
 knowledge-guided fingers of the Osteopath. Lives 
 which were apparently approaching an end have 
 had years of grace added. Many who were in- 
 capacitated for the duties of life have been restored 
 to full fellowship among their brother workmen. 
 The comfort and efficiency of unnumbered thou- 
 sands have been increased. As an economic 
 proposition, the world has much to thank Oste- 
 opathy for, both as a curative and as a preventive 
 measure. Of course all suffering has not been 
 banished from the human family, and from the 
 nature of things cannot be until the end of time, 
 
 [231] 
 
CONCEENING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 but Osteopathy most certainly is a step toward 
 such an ideal. 
 
 The laws of Nature are absolute. They do 
 not falter or fail. This is why Osteopathy, in 
 releasing from the bondage of abnormal pressure 
 the natural forces of the body, secures a definite 
 result. The action of the law suspended by the 
 abnormal pressure has again been put in operation. 
 This result has been repeatedly demonstrated 
 clinically and experimentally. Nature with her 
 law is constant and trustworthy. Failure may 
 be the fault of the physician or of the patient but 
 not of the principle of Osteopathy nor of the law 
 of Nature, within her limitations. 
 
 ^'The diseases that are osteopathically curable, we 
 believe, are coextensive with the limit of Nature's 
 ability to react to a pathological process, which means 
 that this class includes every disease in which the 
 pathological process has not advanced to such a stage 
 as to be beyond Nature^s own reactive power. In 
 other words we believe that this class includes all 
 diseases in which Nature has not been perverted 
 beyond her limits of compensation. What is curable 
 from Nature's standpoint is curable from the standpoint 
 of Osteopathy, for we look on them as synonymous." 
 ''From this standpoint it might be asked why 
 Osteopathy is powerful in combating disease. We 
 know, from clinical experience, that there is developed 
 around the articulations of the vertebrae a tissue- 
 perversion either antecedent to or concomitant with 
 [ 232 ] 
 
THE RESULTS OF PRACTICE 
 
 disease of the organism elsewhere. This tissue perver- 
 sion is manifested by impaired mobihty of the spine, 
 and the restoration of a normal degree of movement 
 between the articulations means that the tissues have 
 been normalized in this region. Nature wants to be 
 used well, and she is able to function perfectly, provided 
 she is not taxed beyond her capacity for reaction. By 
 restoring normal movement in the spine, we give 
 Nature, in very many cases of disease, the necessary 
 assistance to enable her to combat the condition suc- 
 cessfuUy.'' — Arthur S. HoUis, A.B., B,0. — Bulletin 
 of the Atlas Club. 
 
 The osteopathic physician is responsible for 
 the results of treatment in so far as the acquisition 
 of a knowledge of the normal and abnormal in the 
 body is concerned and the exercise of diligence in 
 the effort to correct the structural abnormalities. 
 The patient, too, has certain responsibilities in 
 regard to results which are secondary only to 
 those of the physician. If he expects his oste- 
 opathic physician to accomplish something for 
 him, he must understand that the Osteopath is 
 working in harmony with natural laws and must 
 have time in which to right the conditions which 
 are wrong and to place them in harmony with 
 those laws. The patient sometimes forgets that 
 the disease may represent the sum of several factors 
 which may have been in operation over a long 
 period of time and that it takes time to correct 
 
 [233] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 and overcome. In acute diseases, however, the 
 results of treatment are quickly noticed; in long- 
 standing conditions it may be weeks before definite 
 changes can be observed. But whether the results 
 are spectacular, as they sometimes are, or come 
 only after patient effort on the part of the physi- 
 cian and patient, or not at all — when nature has 
 been passed in limitations — the sirni of the results 
 total a great benefaction to humanity. 
 
 The osteopathic idea being in such close har- 
 mony with natural law is revolutionary. Tradi- 
 tion has been overthrown by it. The results of 
 osteopathic work and education on public thought 
 have removed much of the mystery of disease, 
 showed the all-sufficiency of unhindered Nature, 
 demonstrated that structural perfection is a pre- 
 requisite of functional perfection and recognized 
 the wisdom of the Creator in establishing definite 
 laws of life for his creatures. 
 
 To many individuals who have accepted its 
 teachings. Osteopathy has brought greater freedom 
 from suffering, from fetich, from experimental 
 practice, from dependence upon drugs. For such 
 it has created a new view-point of life, a new 
 philosophy — a new hope with dependence upon 
 Natural Law. 
 
 [234] 
 
OSTEOPATHY IN THE FUTURE 
 
 FROM AN ADDRESS BY RUSSELL DUANE OF THE 
 PHILADELPHIA BAR GIVEN BEFORE A GRAD- 
 UATING CLASS OF THE PHILADELPHIA 
 COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHY 
 
 [Reprinted by permission from the Journal of the Ameri- 
 can Osteopathic Association] 
 
 Since the child Osteopathy has grown to full 
 manhood, it has received a hearty welcome, 
 just in proportion to the capability of the 
 intelligent man or woman to comprehend 
 enough of the physical laws to know the reli- 
 ability of Nature. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
Use no man^s opinion, accept his works only. 
 
 — A. T. Still 
 
OSTEOPATHY IN THE FUTURE 
 
 By RUSSELL DUANE 
 
 THE great Doctor Still once said ^^ Osteopathy 
 is a science fifty years ahead of the times." 
 In the spirit of this remark let us try to forecast 
 the future of the profession, and picture to 
 ourselves what its stature is likely to be fifty 
 years hence after the times have caught up with 
 Osteopathy. 
 
 Probably the most characteristic single medical 
 thought of our day is the idea that ^^ prevention" 
 of diseases is more certain in its result, and in 
 every way preferable to an attempted ^^cure." 
 Measures of prevention have in recent years 
 occupied a position of increasing importance, 
 both with our public authorities and with the 
 medical profession. By the end of the next half- 
 century, with the growth of popular intelligence, 
 which may reasonably be expected within that 
 time, this idea of ^^ prevention" is likely to control 
 the habits and practice of the entire conamunity. 
 With that development will naturally come about 
 a corresponding progress in those branches of 
 medical science and medical art, which have as 
 
 [ 237 ] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 their direct aim the production and maintenance 
 of health as contrasted with those branches which 
 are merely available to cure existing illness. 
 
 In the science of Osteopathy the element of 
 prevention is at least equally prominent with the 
 element of cure, and hence Osteopathy is certain 
 to share in the progress of popular intelligence 
 toward the universal use of preventive measures. 
 Osteopathy is well adapted to cure the patient of 
 manifold ills; but an even more important func- 
 tion of Osteopathy is the removal of causes likely 
 to produce ills. Osteopathy aims at catching the 
 patient before he becomes too much of a patient. 
 Its object is to rectify the iregularities of bony 
 structure and tissues before the aberration becomes 
 so great as to induce active disease. 
 
 In many cases this physical derangement is so 
 slight that the person in question has no conscious- 
 ness that anything is wrong, yet there exists in 
 that person's organism an ever-present source of 
 irritation and disturbance of function, which in 
 time may grow to serious proportion. 
 
 At the present moment, the community gener- 
 ally does not appreciate the need of having minor 
 structural derangements corrected. The field of 
 Osteopathy is unfortunately curtailed through the 
 ignorance of a large part of the public as to what it 
 is, its past history, the scientific theory underlying 
 it and the character of the cures which it has 
 
 [238] 
 
OSTEOPATHY IN THE FUTURE 
 
 effected. Fifty years hence the community will 
 recognize the fact that Osteopathy affords the 
 most effective means known to medical science 
 of correcting physical errors and defects having 
 the most untoward possibilities. Today every 
 intelligent man recognizes the importance of hav- 
 ing detailed scientific care given at stated intervals 
 to such portions of the body, for example, as the 
 eyes and the teeth, and he recognizes that such 
 attention to be efficacious must be given promptly 
 and with regularity. In time every man of intelli- 
 gence will apply the same wise rule to the remain- 
 der of his physical structure, and even when in 
 apparent health will seek examination and, if 
 necessary, treatment at intervals from his Osteo- 
 path with the same care which he now exercises 
 as regards his oculist and dentist. 
 
 There is excellent reason to beUeve that the 
 growing employment of Osteopathy in the pre- 
 vention and cm:e of disease will be accompanied 
 during the next half-century by a steadily increas- 
 ing application of its methods to cases of trau- 
 matism. Osteopathy is peculiarly adapted to 
 the relief and cure of injuries occasioned by violent 
 accidents. For illustration, I would like to point 
 to a case, which came to my knowledge, of a 
 patient who sustained disturbance of several 
 vertebral joints of the neck as the result of a vio- 
 lent fall from a horse. By osteopathic means a 
 
 [239] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 complete cure was effected in less than half an 
 hour after the injury, which without it would 
 probably have resulted in life-long deformity. 
 
 Now, if Osteopathy is promptly applied to the 
 replacement of disturbed members and the restora- 
 tion of proper circulation, muscular and nerve 
 action, the causes of nervous disturbance may be 
 eliminated and a speedy cure accomplishedo 
 
 I now approach the interesting subject of the 
 probable relations which will exist fifty years 
 hence between Osteopathy and the various indus- 
 trial pursuits. In the matter of treatment of 
 accidents Osteopathy comes into close relation 
 with the practice of my own profession of the law. 
 This fact affords to all lawyers an exceptional 
 opportunity to promote the welfare of their clients, 
 by advising such injiu*ed persons to undergo 
 Osteopathic examination and treatment for the 
 purpose of curing their injuries. I believe the 
 time will come when every well-informed and right- 
 thinking lawyer will consider it his duty to his 
 client not only to render him the best possible 
 legal service, but also to advise him as to the most 
 effective means of relieving such physical injuries 
 as he has sustained. 
 
 I will also indulge in the prediction that in 
 another half a century the great pubUc service 
 corporations will keep in their employ a staff of 
 Osteopaths whose duty it shall be to administer 
 
 [ 240 ] 
 
OSTEOPATHY IN THE FUTURE 
 
 treatment to injured passengers, employees and 
 other claimants. Such a system today, if well- 
 equipped and maintained, would mean life and 
 health to thousands of unfortunate victims, and 
 reduce the yearly accident bill of the railway 
 corporations of the United States many millions 
 of dollars. 
 
 I believe that the observed benefits of Osteop- 
 athy in the treatment of accident cases will in 
 time lead to its general adoption as an important 
 element of industrial efficiency in the operation 
 of large industrial plants. The ideal future of 
 Osteopathy will be realized when every employer 
 of labor will regard it as not only his duty, but 
 also to his interest, to cause each of his employees 
 to be examined by a competent Osteopath, and 
 all needed treatment given at the employer's ex- 
 pense for the purpose of putting the employee in 
 a sound physical condition. A moment's reflec- 
 tion will make it obvious that the body of an 
 employee is simply a piece of machinery operating 
 in a productive process. In more than a dozen of 
 its aspects we can compare it, for example, with a 
 locomotive or motor-car, although it is infinitely 
 more complex because adapted to many more 
 uses. If a ^^parf of a locomotive or motor-car 
 becomes broken or bent, or there is an ^interfer- 
 ence'' of parts, not a moment is lost in taking it 
 to the machine shop. The same intelligent care 
 
 [241] 
 
CONCERNING OSTEOPATHY 
 
 should be applied to the human machine. The 
 cost would be a legitimate expense in the conduct 
 of business, as legitimate as the expenditure made 
 for repairs or oil in the operation of an engine. 
 The public will some day realize that very few 
 persons ever become ill who have been put in good 
 osteopathic condition at a time when they were 
 apparently well. 
 
 I also predict that the next half-century will wit- 
 ness a constantly increasing association between 
 the profession of Osteopathy and public philan- 
 thropy. 
 
 I foresee a time when through the instrumental- 
 ity of our great public charities, Osteopathic treat- 
 ment will be furnished, to those who need but 
 cannot get it, as a part of a scientific system to 
 accomplish their restoration to, and maintenance 
 in, a condition of active industry and economic 
 self-help. There will come a time when every 
 well-equipped hospital will have its corps of 
 osteopathic doctors just as today it has its corps 
 of medical doctors and trained nurses. There 
 ought to be, and ultimately will be, concurrent 
 action and harmony of feeling between the various 
 branches of the medical profession now so radically 
 divided. In time the medical practitioner will, as 
 a matter of course, call in and consult the Osteo- 
 path in cases needing his skill, and the Osteopath 
 will as freely call in as a consultant the medical 
 
 [242] 
 
OSTEOPATHY IN THE FUTURE 
 
 practitioner, in order to secure his professional 
 aid in such cases as may require it. 
 
 In time Osteopathy, in many classes of cases, 
 will probably become the exclusive method of 
 treatment recognized and enforced by leading 
 practitioners of all schools of medicine. 
 
 . ;, [243] 
 
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