There are four forms of stimulation, viz. Granting that stimulation exists in osteopathic practice, our system would come under the fourth class, namely, mechanical. I have stated this as a supposition because some in our profession disclaim the idea of stimulation. Their argument is that there is always a primary lesion which must be corrected and that in such correction the forces of nature are liberated, that the normal only is reached, that the term stimulation is a misnomer and therefore misleading in character. This is an attractive theory, one which at first thought would seem to be sufficient.
Osteopaths are iconoclasts.
Sooner or later in the discussion of any subject germane to osteopathy, we strike the lesion theory. This is inevitable, for it is that which permeates the entire system, differentiates it from others and makes it what it is. Though it is old it is ever new, many times illuminating subjects which otherwise would be in the shadow. Let us for a moment consider the meaning of the word. It has been too much limited in its application to lesions of an osseous nature.