Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1909-09-17
SCHOOL OF OSTEOPATHY
WHAT IT IS DOING
The Story Of Its Discovery by Its
Founder, DIR. Andrew +. Still,
and Others.

Osteopathy in the past few years
has become widely known and under
stood as a healing science. 1t has
been but a little over thirty years
since DR.. Andrew f. Still announced
to his patients at Baldwin. Kan, that
he had done with drugs forever, and
that he had evolved system of
drugless healing.
The theory of osteopathy has
many versions but there is none that
describe 1t more thoroughly or plain
ly that the one given by its founder
in his own characteristic language:
"Osteopathy deals with the body
as an intricate machine which, II
kept in proper adjustment, nourish-
ed and cared for, will run smoothly
into a ripe and useful old age. AS
long as the human machine is in
order, like the locomotive or any
other mechanical contrivance, it will
perform the functions for which It
was intended. When every part Of
the machine is adjusted and in per-
feet harmony, health will hold do
minion over the human organism by
laws as natural and immutable as
the laws Of grayitation. Every liv-
ing organism has within it the pow
er to manufacture and prepare all
chemicals, materials and forces need
ed to build and rebuild itself to-
gether with all the machinery and
apparatus required to do this work
in the most perfect manner, produc-
ing the only substance that can be
utilized in the economy of the in
diyidual. No material other than
food and water taken in satisfaction
Of the demands Of appetite (not per.
verted taste) can be introduced from
the outside without detriment."
Later authorities who have
developed the science say tho
treatment means human inter
ference with the processes of dis
ease-in other words, taking a hant
in the struggle that is being waget
between lifedestroying and life
conserving influerces and agencies
for the purpose Of preventing anC
remedying disease and relieving dis
tress.
Osteopathy is system Of rationa
therapeutics which CD recognizes
that resistance, relief and recovery
are functions inherent in the organ
i2ation of living bodies and that a de
Walton from the state Of health i'm
plies either the absence Of some o
the natural influences, agencies OF
conditions that maintain these func
ions, or arrangement in their struc
tural organic basis, and which on
treats disease by employing ass RENE
dies (a) the natural causes of norm
M function, and Oh manipulation t,
restore normal anatomical relations
The science of osteopathy has lo
its especial province the nvestiga
tion, from all sides, of the proccsse
and mechanicisms of health an,
healing, the determination OF thei
nature and significance, their cause
and origin, their course, action an,
end. The science of osteopathy ha
for its especial application thc cor
rection of anatomical domgement
that invite disease and obstruct re
Coyery and the establishment of tn
proXmate causes Of health and heal
ing.
Maintenance Of health and rocoy
cry from disease are caused by th
operation Of the protective and heal
ing mechanisms of the body. Thes
mochanisms are anatomical an
physiological provisions If the Pre-
visions for defense were unlimited 4
their range of action and did no
themselves become diseased, diseas
would be entirely prevented II tn
provisions for healing were not limit
cd In their scope, disease would b
invariably and completely cured
Furthermore, the normal operatlo
OF the mechanisms may be prevent
ed by n arrangement In their struC
ture or inadequate supply OF tn
group OF natural influences an
agencies which maintain their funC
tion.
The osteopathlc physician ma
come into the professional life d
the American people In the cours
OF natural progress, and from natw
al causes The time became ripe IA
a revulsion from the drug habit int
which the people had fallen. y
other system ot therapy ever game
public recognition aud adoption s
speedily or so fully within flttec
years the legislatures of torty-ou
of the states " the Union have or