The Osteopathic Physician July 1912 Vol. 22, No. 1

The Osteopathic Physician July 1912 Vol. 22, No. 1 Reproduced with a gift from the Advocates for the American Osteopathic Association (AAOA Special Projects Fund) and Michigan Auxiliary to the Macomb County Osteopathic Association May not be reproduced in any format without the permission of the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine SM (formerly Still National Osteopathic Museum) Museum of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, MO XXII. CHICAGO. JULY. 1912 Number apply the same wise rule to the remainder of his Osteopathy Fifty Years Hence physical structure, and even when in apparent health will seek examination and, if necessary, By RUSSELL DUANE, of the Philadelphia Bar.* treatment at regular intervals from his osteopath with the same care which he now exercises as T previous commencements of this institu in need of some physical correction such as regards his oculist and his dentist. With that tion the origin and history of osteopathy . osteopathy affords. In many cases this physical care will come the corresponding reward that have frequently been the subject of discus- derqngement is so slight that the person in ques if anything is wrong with the patient in any ion and review. On this occasion it is my pur tion has no consciousness that anything is wrong, physical aspect it can be set straight before an ose to say a few words as to the probable fu yet there exists in that person's organism an illness or disease supervenes. ure of osteopathy and of the various channels ever-present source of irritation and disturbance II. There is excellent reason to believe that hrough which its influence is likely to be en the growing employment of v~(eopathy in the forced and extended. The great Doctor Still prevention and cure of disease will be accom once said, "Osteopathy is a science fifty years panied during the next half century by a steadily ahead of the times." In the spirit of this re increasing application of its methods to cases of mark let us try to forecast the future of the traumatism. Osteopathy is peculiarly adapted to profession and picture to ourselves what its the relief and cure of injuries occasionad by status is likely to be, fifty years hence after the violent accidents. Scientifically analyzed all ac times have caught up with osteopathy. cidents involve an impact by some form' of for I. Probably the most· characteristic single tuitous violence upon one or more points of the medical thought of our day is the idea that "pre physical structure. For simple bruises and lacer vention" of disease is more certain in its re ations Nature furnishes certain rough and ready sult and in every way preferable to an at remedies, but if the impact is severe, injury is tempted "cure." Measures ot prevention have lIkely to ensue to the bones, ligaments, muscles in recent years occupied a position of increasing nerves or possibly the internal organs, such a; importance both with our public authorities and requires external mechanical readjustment. For with the medical professiiln, and many terrible illustration, I would point to a case which came diseases like yellow fever and smallpox have thus to my knowledge of a patient who sustained dis been eliminated or largely reduced. It is said placement of several vertebrae in the neck as the that a custom exists in some parts of China result of a violent fall from a horse. By osteo according to which medical men are paid by pathic means a complete cure was effected in their patients for keeping them w.ell, and that as less than half an hour of an injury which without a penalty for failure to do this, medical attend it would probably have resulted in life-long de ance must be furnished free whenever the pa formity,' accompanied by partial paralysis. Not tient becomes ill. By the end of the next ,half only is' osteopathy effective in replacing memb.ers century, with the growth in popular intelligence disturbed by violent accidents, but it also accom which may reasonably be expected within that plishes 'the ensuing result of al'levf,ating the time, this idea of "prevention" is likely to control equally serious symptoms of a nervous charac the habits and practices of the entire community. ter which so often follow accidents causing some With that development will naturally come' about kind of displacement. The fact that ·the great Dr. Jenette Hubbard Bolles, of Denver, Colo., recently mass of the community habitually go about with a corresponding progress in those branches of appointed by Governor S11afroth as a member of the medical science and medical art which have as Colorado Board of Medical Examiners. This is a imperfect physical structures and in a low state their direct aim the production and maintenance purely medical board, and heretofore osteopaths have had of physical vitality is shown by the frequency no representation. The allopaths of the state say that with which evil consequences of a nervous char of health,. as contrasted with those branches Dr. Bolles is not eligible and have threatened to con· which are merely available to cure existing ill test the appointment. Dr. Bolles has ill1 excellent reputa· acter ensue upon the happening of very trifling ness. In the science of osteopathy the element tion as a skillful physician, and the allopaths will ex· accidents. The explanation is that, from 'an -os perience considerable difficulty in getting her removed teopathic standpoint, such a patient, alth.o.ught not of prevention is at least equally prominent with from the board, if she desires to continue to hold the the element of cure, and hence osteopathy is cer position. aware of the fact, is in bad condition Before the tain to share in the progress of popular intelli accident. Now, if osteopathy is promptly ap gence toward the universal use of preventive plied to the replacement of disturbed members of function which in time may readily grow and to the restoratiQn of proper circulation and measures. Osteopathy is well adapted to cure to serious proportions. At the present moment the patient of manifold ills; but an even more muscular and nerve 'action, the causes of nervous important function, of osteopathy is the removal the community generally' does not appreciate the disturbances will be eliminated and a speedy cure of causes likely to produce ills. Osteopathy need of having minor structural derangements accomplished. aims at catching the patient before he becomes corrected. The field of osteopathy is unfortu III. I now approach the interesting subject of nately curtailed through the ignorance of a the probable relations which will exist fifty years too much of a patient. Its object is to rectify large section of the public as to what it is, the irregularities of bony structure, muscles or its past history, the scientific theory underlying it hence between osteopathy and the various pro nerves before the aberration becomes so great and the character of the cures which it has fessions and industrial pursuits. In the matter as to induce active disease. From the osteo effected. Fifty years hence the community will of the. treatment of accidents osteopathy comes pathic standpoint the number of ill persons in recognize the fact that osteopathy affords the into close relation with the practice of my own a community is not to be estimated by counting most effective means known to medical science profession of the law. At the present time the 'up the inmates of hospitals and sanitariums or of correcting physical errors and .defects having accident cases pending in the courts of Phila the number of those confined to bed in private the most untoward possibilities and thus of pre delphia County constitute nearly one-half of dwellings. On the contrary, those denominated ill venting the occurrence of the gravest evils and all civil suits. This fact affords to all lawyers should include all persons who are conscious of diseases. Today every intelligent man recognizes an exceptional opportunity to promote the welfare a lack of strength, vitality or efficiency which can the importance of having detailed scientific care of their clients, as well as of the community by properly be attributed to any physical derange ·given at stated intervals to such portions of his advising such injured persons to undergo osteo ment, however slight it may be in its present ex body, for example, as the eyes and the teeth, and pathic examination and treatment for the pur isting stage. It has been estimated that over he recognizes that such attention to be effica pose of curing their injuries. For many years ninety per c'ent of the persons one would meet cious must be given promptly and with regularity. past it has been my practice, whenever retained on Chestnut Street at any hour in the day are Out of this recognition have developed two to represent a plaintiff in an accident case to have of the greatest, most useful and most profitable my client examined by. some leading osteopathic *An address delivered at the commencement exercises of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathy at Wither· professions, viz., those oJ the oculist and the practitioner as a means of obtaining light upon spoon Hall on June 5, 1912. dentist. In time every man of intelligence will the nature of his injury and the chance of' its Museum of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, MO 2 cure. Where,the examination has warranted it, I have, always found it possible to influence the client, to submit to the subsequent osteopathIc treatment which his symptoms req'Uired. In EQUAL TO TWO HUMAN ASSISTANTS! some cases where I have been forced to give WORKING WITHOUT WAGES! an adverse opinion from a legal standpoint and ALBRIGHT to tell the client that his case was hopeless, I We are have had the satisfaction of seeing him from a medical standpoint entirely cured or, substanti,ally "Standard" Manufacturers, \ relieved.

Load more