The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-02
WHAT is OSTEOPATHY?
A Science That Ignores Medicine and
Depends on Mechanical Processes.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
A few weeks ago the Journal contained
a notice of a periodical devoted to oste-
opathy, and closed with the remark that
the magazine does not explain to the pub
lie what the new discovery is. Having
graduated from the American School of
Osteopathy, of Kirksville, Mo. and with
several years of active practice in the
science, L would be pleased to accept the
invitation which the notice referred to
seemed to extend, and present to your
readers the most philosophical explana-
ton [ can in a short article.
After twenty years of study, only a few
years ago, DR.. A. T. Still announced
to the world the discovery of this
new science for the cure of dis
ease. The first school was estap-
lished about six years ago, and through
the wonderful impetus of actual merit it
IS FOUND that osteoDathy has already
placed itself on an equal footing with
medicine in several states Both branches
North and South Dakota, Colorado, Ill-
nois, North Carolina and Michigan passed
bills giving to the Osteopaths all the rights
and privileges enjoyed by the era luates
the Governors have been prev lIled upon to
veto the measure. The unprecedented
growth of osteopathy dnd ITS popularity
thereof proves the aphorism that nothing
succeeds like success
Osteopathy is scientific, rational and nat
ural, and is supported by constructive
basis-logic and philosophy. We believe
with the Rev. Mason w. Presley, Of Ohio.
that neither medicine or surgery ~ a final
science, and that the Goddess Hygiene
has brought forth progeny in osteopathy
that is destined to win triumphs over both.
Osteopathy looks upon man as a machine,
devised and set in motion by an all-wiSe
Creator. We believe that unless interrupt
ed by poison, irritation or mechanical in
reference it will continue to run until
ha CTaTY fNfh n~ Oh
But man is a delicate and most wonderful
structure and must be thoroughly under
stood in the same manner that the COM
petent engineer must understand the mech
anlSm of his engine, in order TO keep it
not only running, but properly preserved
In a properly constructed engine two great
forces are required namely. fire and water
Given these, it becomes a thing of life; de-
priVe it of either, and it is killed" In man
we have virtually the same thing-the blood
and nerve supply. Shut off either of these.
and death results. Degrees of debility
may be measured by the degree of inter
ference; consequently. health. as well as
life. directly dependent upon these two
agencies. We believe health is natural and
disease is unnatural AS the process of phe-
nOmenOn is mechanical, 1t must be true
that any primary interference must also
be mechanical; hence, the logical conclusion
OF the discovery of mechanical aid TO me-
chanical apparatus"
When the human system is out of repair
physicians believe that the disease is the
result of bacilH. bacteria, germs. etc, of
an infinitely great variety; yet those germs
are found 20 be present in both health and
disease, thus creating dissension and dis
turbing very much the pet theories of a
great many conscientious and Investigating
men in their efforts to account for disease
in some satisfactory manner. Osteopathy
does not believe any germ the true and real
cause of disease. but believes them sec
ondary or inciden al to an impoverished
and deDilitated condition, due TO
a diminished supply OF proper nu-
triment which permits changes to
take place in thS tissue. thus furnishing