Every physical diagnosis begins with palpation and proceeds with ausculation and percussion, and not failing to use chemical and microscopical methods when necessary. The student must learn to use his sense of touch continually, in fact, learn to see with his fingers. Add to this development of touch a training in chemical and microscopical analysis of secretions and excretions of the body, and we have a practitioner thoroughly equipped to make an accurate scientific diagnosis. It takes into account the fact that the organism is a self-recuperating mechanism and requires proper food, proper surroundings, and perfect activity of every tissue, especially the blood. If the condition of the body is such that none of the three methods just mentioned will right the difficulty, i. e., if there are broken bones, ruptured muscles and connective tissues or false growths, we can then use surgical means.
Surgery is a part of the osteopathic system, just as it is of all systems of medicine.
The chief assurance lies in the fact that the osteopathic system is very con-servative as regards the use of the knife. Is it not to be deplored that valuable time should be wasted in our student days by cramming into our heads a lot of therapeutic ballast. This is probably the most recent statement of this kind in the public prints. It substantiates the position taken by the osteopathic colleges. We feel justified in claiming that osteopathy today occupies a position which every other system of medicine must come to sooner or litter.