The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-02-09
IN DEFENCE OF OSTEOPATHY.
PRINCIPLES AND METHODS OF
THE SYSTEM SET FORTH.
Part Played by the Homes In Disease
Method OF Diagnosis - Many Cures
said 10 BE Erected -Osteopathy In
Acute Cases The Legislation sought.

9TH average man DelleNes lna' os'eoP-
sthy is auackery. because his family doctor
has told him so.
One Of New York's leading osteopaths
made the statement. He looked exceedingly
cheerful. in spite Of the average mans o n
xction-possibly because his ante-room
va. AZ the moment filed with patients, pre-
sumably above the average.
sIn all this public discussion OF osteop-
.,bv he continued. the thing that strikes
mo most forcibly il the length and breadth
~ tho ordinary citizens ignorance in re-
card 10 the nature and claims OF the science
with all hat the papers have published
sbont the New York fight for and against
os,oonathy. have not read one clear. com
mon sense statement Of the nature and
claims Of osteopathy.
There's a prevalent. vague idea that it
has something to do with bones, but that It
is only an emphasized massage. I've been
reliably informed that II is n brutal and
dangerous poking and %prodding. done by
ignorant men. recruited chiefly from the
farmland ranks and equipped for the work
by a very few months of superficial study
requiring no preliminary education.
wow / am perfectly willing to admit that
osteopathy has its abuses. Some Of us
are quacks. We haven't a quack monop-
oily. Both the allopathic and homeopathic
school share the distinction with US, but
have the advantage Of us in point OF age.
They've had more time for the wedding
out Of sheep and goats. II doesn't a a
%centenarian to remember the time when
the percentage Of quacks in the medical
profession was much greater h it il now.
Rational legislation has protected rep
utahle medical practitioners and their pub
lie. All we ark il the same protection
which will give us a chance to keep our
standards OF examination and proficiency
what they should be.
Seventeen States have given US such
legislation. The Governors Of those States
have heartily indorsed ~osteopathy.
The science too it's rise in the West,
and. for a time, it's hold was strongest in
the Western States, but now IL Is rapidly
making it's way in the East. II can't be
snufed out, because IL is founded on SCI
entifc truth and has proved its right to
consideration by it's success, but the public
can he protected from osteopathy quacks.
Here in New York where. | believe, a
gullible public gives up its money more
easily than in any place on earth. such pro-
lection is especially necessary. II the hue
and cry against osteopathy as a profession
was directed against those practitioners
who are unfit to practice, IL would be ra-
tional and the best ~osteopathic institutions.
the most successful ~osteopaths ~ the
country would cheer the movement on.
only recognition Of the science and
legislation for it's protection can remedy
the evils against which the medical fra
ternity cries out az loudly as II 1t had never
had abuses and false prophets in its own
ranks. As a ms tier Of fact. the rapid
growth OF osteopathy threatens the pockets
OF the doctors. Hence these tears.
Now, lust let me tell you as nearly as
| can what osteopathy is. OF course, you
know the name means bone healing. We
believe that the bone structure plays a
much bigger part in the phenomena OF
disease than is generally recognized.
Our science rests on the established
principles Of anatomy and p~hysiology. An
extraordinarily. thorough knowledge OF
anatomy and physiology and a remarkably
educated sense Of touch are the great
essentials for the osteopath.
when the human body is normal, we
say. there is no disease. When the ma
chine is in perfect order IL runs smoothly.
ANY trouble then indicates a departure
from normal, some stoppage or obstacle
In the nerve or circulatory system. We
must find the obstruction and remove IL.
We recognize anatomical LESSONS "a at
inc DdSe OF disease. n zone uteu IO Dt
broken to he out Of place.
The bones are joined by flexible movable
ligaments. An iIfni.esimal deviation from
normal in bone position may produce
pressure on a nerve, irritation and serious
disease.
On the other hand, irritation arising in
nerves from some outside cause may con-
tract muscles. defect the bone slightly,
and because of the results Of this deviation
produce serious trouble.
Let me give you some specific cases,
They will show you the theory more clearly
than distractions. Take the patients out
there in the waiting room.
One woman came here with rheumatism
or neuralgia. She had suffered for a long
time with pain in her side and Lad tried
all sorts Of treatment.
Il found upon examination that one Of
her ribs had in some way been forced out
OF normal position. Two ribs were close
together, pressing on the local nerves ami
causing severe irritation.
What was the common-seuse treatment:
To get the ribs back into place, you say.
Well, that's what ] did.
"This il her last visit. She is cured.
What was the Use of giving her medicine
for her blood and nerves while the source
OF nerve irritation was not removed!
Our system of diagnosis Is the exact
reverse Of that used by the regular school.
l do not ask a patient what is the matter
or inquire what his symptoms are.
i lay him out on that cot. and examine
his spine. The spinal column is the sheath
Tor the nerves. There is the place to look
Tor nerve irritation.
i begin AT the base OF the brain and run
my. fingers down the spine. I've said
ueiore that 10 be a successful osteopath
one must have an educated sense Of touch.
some persons can never he successful in
The profession because they have not the
necessary sonsitiveucSs and cannot acquire
W hul with almost any one much may bo
accomplished bv nat lent and persistent
practice.
FROM tho very start tho ~osteopathic
student must begin this experience, this
prac! lcr IN examination He must train
ms niger llps TO d = over tho most minute
deviation frpin notn,al
The doctors pooh pooh the idea of such
requirements They might a. we'll pooh
pooh the marvellous sense Of touch OF the
blind some fingers can he trained to a
CONSTITUENCIES almost incredible. All can
IT. trained to a degree astonishing COM
parel 10 their original CONSTITUENCIES
The fingers OF one hand vary in sensi-
tivenesS, With the third finger of my
lett hand ] can distinguish an unevcnness
or a DETECTION that no other finger will
show me-"
But to go back to tho patient ON tho
col. ] run my fingers slowly. carefully