Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-21
OSTEOPATHS WARN
OF 3-DAY DOCTORS.
Or. Albert H. Parham, SeCre-
tary of Association, Ad-
vises Careful Selection.

Members of the Osteopathic AssQ-
citation of the District OF COLUMBIA
composed of graduates of reputable
osteopathic colleges which give a four
year course today. revealed tnat a
considerable number of men ana
women are practicing this profession
in Washington on the strength OF
doctor of osteopathy degrees obtained
by three day course.
This course was given large class
here in 1929 at a local chiropractic
school bv an instructor from an osteo-
pathic college in another State when
is not recognized ny the colleges with
professional standing. Advertised
prices for a degee in osteopathy
ranged from $50 to 500, Depending
upon the size of the classes. Inc
course was held shortly after favor
able decision by the District OF Colum
bia Court Of Appeals in a friendly test
case brought by the Osteopathlc ASSo
citation against one of its members 10
test his right to practice podiatry' or
treatment of corns and ailments OF the
feet. The decision of Justice van
Orsdel at this time recognized the
osteopaths as one of the established
schools Of medicine.
Recognition Caused Demand
Their status, however, never has
been defined by statute in the DIS
trict. Under the present law any
hodv. with or without a degree. has
right to hang out his shingle as an
osteopath and start practice. Inc
recognition by the Court of Appeals
saw members of the Osteopathic Asso-
citation, caused a big squirt IN the de
mand for osteopathic degrees. which
- naS
Investigators working for the Osteo-
pathic Association have been unable
to determine exactly how many took
this three-da course. but they nave
established that a considerable num-
Der with this sort of degree still are
practicing in the District. Many OF
them are not listed in the directory
or telephone book, but work in various
Government departments and Solicit
practice among their fellow-employes'
Suffering Great Damage.
The attention of the Osteopathic
Association has been directed to this
condition in the District for some
time. but it recently was brought to q
head when a holder of one OF the
three-day degrees attracted unfavor-
able publicity in connection with
criminal case. and thus. the osteo-
paths claim, reflected discreditably on
the whole profession.
DR.. Albert II. Parhan1. secretary OF
the Osteopatl1ic Association. today SAID
that the osteopathists here with
earned degrees are suffering irrepar-
able damage because of this condition
which he has been largely instru-
mental in uncovering. This profess
sion. he said. is now required in most
States to pass the same examination
as regular doctors of medicine, and in
some States members are allowed TO
practice either osteopathy or medi-
cine. In every State except the DIS
triet they are a recognized profession.
Innocent Are Jeopardized.
But. said DR.. Parham, patient ad-
vfsed to see an osteopathist is likely
to consult any one, unless he Is "a
niliar with the situation in Washing
ton. Few persons, the regular osteo-
pathists feel. realize the condition OF
the District law which allows per
son to practice without any creden-
tials at all. Consequently, innocent
nafients. it is asserted fall ihIJ the
hands of men who have no knowledge
of the fundamentals of treating the
human body and place themselves In
Immediate danger of death.
A real osteopathic education, DR..
Parham said, costs very nearly SS,000.
This includes tuition, board and lodg-
ing for four years and the books and
Instruments necessary for the indl-
vidnal student A class of about so
osteopaths were trained in this way at
recognized colleges as trainees of the
Veterans Bureau shortly after the
war, and have just begun to practice.
At least a high-school education is
necessary to enter such course, and
the colleges are beginning TO insist on
two years training in an academic
college. in line with the practice of
medical institutions.
The osteopath. DR.. Parham said,
realizes the limits of his profession,
and would not think of dealing with
a. case where administration OF some
sort of medicine was necessary. IL
he was not allowed under the law to
give such treatment himself, he would
refer the case Immediately to an NJ.
d. But, said DIR. Parharn. 1t is hard
TO believe that any man with only
three days training in osteopatRy can
even recognize the simplest synnp-
toms.
sit is imperative DR.. Parham said.
s'for peopIe who consider consulting
an osteopatn to select a man who has
taken a recognized course. and not
get into the hands of one of these
three-day men"