The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-30

To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal;
The writer has praeticed medicine fer fif-
teen years and has spent considerable time
in Kirksville, beginning in 1896 and ending
in 1898. He also holds a diploma from a
regularly chartered college of osteopathy.
There is little reason to dispute the skill
of DR.. Still or the value OF the methods
practiced under the name of osteopathy.
1t should not be overlooked, however, that
certain works published before DR.. Still an
nounced his system, and others ciassed as
standard medical literature, contain most
of the peculiar theories and procedures
known as osteopathy. The latter has much
in common with bone-settinls, magnetic
healing, Swedish movements and massage.
statements of interested parties to the con-
trary Notwithstanding. They are all vari-
cites of the movement cure.
1t Is not paraded much at KirkSville nor
heralded loudly by the disciples who go
forth to share the loaves and fishes contrib
uted by tho followers of the parent insti-
tuition, but yet it is true that efforts have
been made to control the whole osteopathic
emoluments by the Still family clique for
it's own beneit. 1t is furnishing the
sinews of war to secure the passage through
the legislatures of the several States of bills
legalizing practice by osteopaths of TWEEN
ty months study. This is being done os-
tensibly to benefit suffering humanity and
the graduates of the American School OF
ronage and income of said school and its
accompanying infrmary. Five nun
bred students at 500 tor the Ooo TWO
year; 500 patients at $25 a month, SlooVOO
a year. Is 1t much wonder that leglsia-
te can oe Ggeen iS 6 same old story
of vested interests influencing legislation
The osteopathy fraternity claims that its
manipulations cure all durable cases-that
drugs, diet and regimen are unnecessary
useless and harmful. While was in kirKs-
Vile boarded with the next-door ne1ghpor
of Andrew Taylor Still, the founder OF the
cult. My landlady was a believer IN os-
teopathy, one son being an operator IN the
infrmary, while daughter studied In the
school. The iandlady tod me OF having
fered great weakness and depression, with
pains in her lower extremites. She was
thin and pale, while her mouth was so sore
that the swollen gums would bleed. Her
breath was short and the skin aftectec.
She told me that Dr. Still and her son both
treated her osteopathically without euect,
and finally told her that they could nor
benefit her. William Smith, M d, VINO
claims Edinburgh University as anna ma
ter saw her and at once said she ala not
eat enough fresh fruits and vegetables. he
called it scurvy. An .antiscorbutlc ana
change Of diet cured her: Inns case IS s pT
to successfully treat all durable diseases.
1t also emphasizes the need of osteopathS
having medical training. In fact, IT is hard
for a man who treats the sick to De over
wise. -,
AS to the law, the writer believes that the
State is exceeding its proper functions When
it says who may and who may not ATTEND
the sick. injured and afflicted. If the law
compelled all praetition.ers to expose pc ana
ouaIifcations the public could intelllgently
select its doctors; An who made frandYle s,nt
the law would be free from any just charge
of tyranny. The appeals OF the osteopatns
for recognition are not we'll taken. At the
present time for every osteopath IN TINS
city there are two competent and quall1ed
practitioners of medicine who are also
Skilled in osteopathy. If the public wants
osteopathy regular graduates will study II,
The present agitation for an osteopathio
law is an endeavor to let down the STANDARD
the door to practice and thus favor the
Still clique at the expense Of regular schools ao Oh
why not enforce the present law till 1t is
repealed or changed? ,,,,.,D,
INDIANAPOLIS Nov. %.