MAKING THE CUT : What Exactly Is Naturopathy? By: Dr. William von Peters, N.M.D., Ph.N. President, First National University of Naturopathy and Allied Sciences

Several weeks ago a researcher from a Medicine, which means the full scope of practice western University contacted me concerning as passed by Act of Congress and embodied in the First National University of Naturopathy as a Dictionary of Occupational Titles and its successor. part of a research project on the emergence of “We teach Naturopathy as it existed in its natural medicine. heyday of the 1920’s, 1930’s and 1940’s, when it As we spoke she asked me a question which was free to exist as a self-defined system of is commonly batted about in Naturopathy today, medicine, combined with the best of modern and went something like this: “There are two technology and science. It is integrated types of Naturopathy. There is that of the Naturopathic Medicine because we teach the Northwestern schools which espouse a medical integration of the various naturopathic paradigm, and then there is that of the modalities into Naturopathic practice. However, correspondence schools which espouse that of a it is not allopathic or integrated medicalism.” lower level of practice, more like that of a The researcher was astonished to learn that nutritional consultant.” She then asked me, there were more than the two positions. At First “Which is your school?” National University we absolutely stand for true, I responded, “I would like you to change historic Naturopathy. But what is the historical your view. There are actually three positions, not definition of true Naturopathy? two. There are the Northwestern schools which E. W. Cordingly in his “Principles and Practice are not truly Naturopathic, but integrated of Naturopathy”1 gives us a few definitions of medical, and are sometimes known within the Naturopathy in the 1920’s. Let us view them. profession as ‘M.D. Wannabees’. Dr. Benedict Lust: “The Correspondence schools have, until fairly recently, while teaching a limited Naturopathy to quote Dr. Benedict Lust, is curriculum at least taught something of true a distinct school of healing, employing the Naturopathy. However, they view our scope of beneficent agency of Nature’s forces, or practice as that of a nutritional consultant with a water, air, sunlight, earthpower, electricity, magnetism, exercise, rest, proper diet, few other modalities such as homeopathy and various kinds of mechanical treatment, herbalism thrown in. mental and moral science. As none of “Then there is the third position, which is these agents of rejuvenation can cure that of First National University of Naturopathy. every disease (alone) the Naturopath We were founded in 1911 and chartered by Act rightly employs the combination that is best adapted to each individual case. The of Congress by the great Dr. Frederick W. result of such ministrations is wholly Collins as the United States School of beneficent. The prophylactic power of Naturopathy and became First National Nature’s finer forces, mechanical and University in 1916. The U.S. School remains the occult, removes foreign or poisonous parent of, and a college within, the University. matter from the system, restores nerve and blood vitality, invigorates organs and “Our position is that of historically accurate tissues, and regenerates the entire Naturopathic Medicine. We are not Allopathic or organism. Integrated Medicalists, such as the Northwestern schools. Nor are we Minimalists, such as the Dr. J. E. Cummins :

Correspondence schools. Rather, we stand for true 1 Naturopathy, also known as Naturopathic Cordingley, E. W. Principles and Practice of Naturopathy, 2nd ed. 1924. Naturopathy is the science, art and One Minimalist organization states: philosophy of adjusting the frame–work, correcting the mental influences, and Personality conflicts as well as supplying the body with its needed elements. philosophical difference led to the split. The Eastern naturopaths were determined Edward Earle Purinton: to follow the example set forth by Kneipp et al., while those in the West seemed “Naturopathy is the perfected Science of determined to "medicalize" naturopathy. Human Wholeness, and it includes all "The two camps developed their own agencies, methods, systems, regimes, textbooks which showed their different practices and ideals of natural origin and points of view: Paul Wendel's divine sanction whereby human health Standardized Naturopathy (1951) and may be restored, enhanced, maintained.” Harry Riley Spitler's Basic Naturopathy All of these recognize the primacy of natural (1948)."2 agents, although Purinton also includes divine If one bothers to actually read “Basic sanction. Dr. Lust also notes, “As none of these Naturopathy” there is nothing allopathic about it, agents of rejuvenation can cure every disease nor is it in conflict with “Standardized (alone) the Naturopath rightly employs the Naturopathy”. To “medicalize” must be to combination that is best adapted to each “allopathize” the philosophy and treatment individual case.” That is to say, the Naturopath methodologies of Naturopathy. The point at employs them eclectically as a Physician. It is which most Minimalists seek to delineate interesting to note that the various modalities between what they term as “true” or “traditional” which are encompassed within the scope are not Naturopathy (and Naturopathic Medicine) is at listed in these definitions. the point of “minor surgery”. Why here? Head of the American Naturopathic Because this is where the Minimalists see Association, Dr. Lust handpicked Dr. Frederick Naturopaths performing “invasive” procedures – W. Collins, founder of the United States School and invasive procedures are to them the and First National University and a great light of anathema of allopathized Naturopathy whereby Naturopathy, to succeed him. Dr. Collins was Naturopathy becomes Naturopathic Medicine. known as the “Dean of Naturopathy of America” This fear is somewhat justified in that the and “America’s Drugless Consulting Physician”. Integrated Medicalists of the Northwestern schools However, this did not come to pass, and Dr. Jesse have sought to turn minor surgery into something Mercer Gehman became Lust’s successor as quite different from Naturopathic minor surgery. President of the ANA. He was succeeded in turn They argue that breast augmentation and by Dr. Paul Wendel and Dr. Therese M. Schippell. vasectomies are minor surgery because a major As an aside, it is interesting to note that Dr. body cavity is not penetrated. Further, they believe Wendel dedicated several of his works to “My that they should prescribe synthetic drugs and friend and teacher, the late Dr. Frederick W. narcotics and support standard medical Collins, who taught Naturopathy and suffered understanding of disease as a function of germs. persecution because of his belief in Naturopathy.” This is an allopathization, but it is that of Integrated It is to Dr. Wendel, and his work entitled Medicine, rather than Naturopathy. “Standardized Naturopathy” that the Minimalists Dr. Paul Wendel in his “Standardized turn in an attempt to show that Naturopathy was Definition of Naturopathy” states: never Naturopathic Medicine. “NATUROPATHY is defined as a scientific Consequently, we must here diverge from our system of natural healing by a Naturopathic main discussion to look at what exactly constitutes Physician, to diagnose, treat, prescribe for Naturopathic Medicine. Is it another name for full any human disease, pain, injury, deformity, scope Naturopathy, or is it an allopathized for any physical, chemical or mental bastardized Naturopathy as the Minimalists claim and the Integrated Medicalists practice? 2http://www.naturalhealth.org/tradnaturo/history3.h tml condition through the use of AIR, WATER, surgeons or specialists.”6 This is not in LIGHT, HEAT, EARTH, FOOD and HERB contradiction to his other statement, that THERAPY, ELECTROTHERAPY, PHYS- Naturopathic Physicians (his term) believe in IOTHERAPY, MINOR and ORIFICIAL “The physical regeneration without drugs and SURGERY, MECHANO-THERAPY, without operations for strength, youth, health NATUROPATHIC CORRECTIONS and ADJUSTMENTS, and all Natural Methods and beauty, preventative of premature aging by simply natural methods of healing and living, and Modalities; Natural Processed Foods, 7 Herbs and Nature's remedies, which contains according to the laws of Nature.” Thus, one life and health elements or compounds must properly understand the scope of the which are components of body tissues, Naturopathic Physician, as well as his which has for its objects the maintaining of responsibilities to the patient and his well-being. the body in, or restoring it to a state of normal health. Excluding the use of Dr. Henry Lindlahr, another of the fathers of POISONOUS drugs, serums, injections, American Naturopathy, states in this matter: concoctions, major surgery, x-ray and “By none of the statements made in this radium for therapeutic purposes and un- 3 book do I mean to deny the necessity of necessary surgery or mutilations.” combative methods under certain circum- In another place in the same work he states: stances. What I wish to emphasize is that the “Naturopathy does not make use of drugs or allopathic school of medicine is spending too 4 much of its effort along combative lines and operative surgery.” The key word here is not enough along preventive lines. It would “operative”, which is the major surgery spoken of be foolish to deny the necessity of surgery in in his definition. Again, as a part of his listing of traumatism and in abnormal conditions “The Naturopathic Arts and Sciences” we find which require mechanical means of under the heading “FOR THE TREATMENT OF adjustment or treatment. DISEASE, Given by Hand With Instruments, We further find in Lindlahr: Apparatus, etc., the term “minor surgery”.5 Further clarification of this point is found in his (20) What are the Natural Methods of booklet, “A Brief Explanation of Naturopathy” he Living and of treatment? states: “Minor Surgery - - May be used by the 4. Mechanical remedies, such Naturopath as he desires.” Certainly no as corrective gymnastics, massage, condemnation there. Thus it is that minor surgery magnetic treatment, structural adjustment in firmly included as one of the modalities of the and, and, in cases of accident, surgery. Naturopathic Physician by Dr. Wendel. So at this juncture we see that there are the In fact, Naturopathy is not, and has never two positions claimed by the two groups: 1) been, opposed to surgery, per se. It is opposed to Naturopathy involves no invasive procedures, 2) surgery as an instrument of standard allopathic Naturopathy is a more natural and more limited treatment of disease, which seeks to remove, practice of allopathic medicine, along with 3) the rather than seeking to rebuild and repair, organs true, historic definition of Naturopathy as and glands. Consequently, Naturopathy has defined by Drs. Lust, Wendel, Spitler and Kuts- always supported the usage of reconstructive Cheraux (below). surgery and, in the last resort, the use of surgery One Minimalist organization has stated: to save lives. Dr. Wendel makes this clear when he says “some cases are not suited to Benedict Lust founded the American naturopathic treatment or require emergency School of Naturopathy in 1901. Here measures; such cases are promptly referred to students learned "basic sciences, physiotherapy, phytotherapy, geotherapy, electrotherapy, mechano–therapy. Degrees in naturopathy and chiropractic were 3 Wendel, Paul. Standardized Naturopathy. 1945, Forward unnumbered. 4 Ibid. p. 12. 6 Op cit. p. 27. 5 Op cit. p. 26. 7 Op cit. p. 37. granted." Lust also established a school of basis (origin) of Naturopathy is to be found in massage and physiotherapy. In addition to Nature Cure. But are we to remain there in class–room education, he offered naturo– Nature Cure? Perhaps the question can more pathic home-study courses through his 8 adequately be stated as “Is Naturopathy the same journal. as Nature Cure?” The point in this quote is not what they The Father of American Naturopathy, Dr. believe it to be. Rather, they note that from the Benedict Lust, answered this question early on beginning Lust taught electrotherapy — the in his article of 1902, “Naturopathy vs. Nature therapeutic use of electricity. Electricity Cure”, Dr. Lust states: penetrates the skin and is therefore an invasive procedure. To be even more invasive, “Never mind—the Truth must out, and electrotherapy was used with orificial surgery — Naturopathy must disentangle itself from a bloodless and minor surgical modality using the chilling conception most people have, “that we and somebody’s special patent the hands, instruments, and electricity to correct Nature–Cure” are identical. problems in the nose, mouth, ears, rectum, vagina and uterus. Naturopathy and Nature–Cure are distant relatives, it is true—so are the From the same source we find: pussy and the tiger. In 1947, in a speech before the Eastern But they are not twins. ANA, Dr. Jesse Mercer Gehmann, president at the time, stated, "We need They don’t even look alike. And the standards and we need more, to stand by certainly don’t act alike, or think alike. them, once they are established.... These And yet we’ve been mistaken so often . . . standards should insist upon a thorough that we must arise and differentiate. training in basic Nature Cure. All students . . . Now Naturopathy is no more should be required to be thoroughly “Nature–Cure” than a furniture–maker is a competent in applying the methods of the wood-chopper. Real Nature–Cure is the old Masters ...Our standards should basis of Naturopathy, though not so deep include thorough training through study of or broad or high. Kneipp, Priessnitz, Just, Kuhne, Rikli, Trall, Schroth, Graham, Jennings, Lust and But Nature–Cure, as labeled by the Macfadden ... We need adequate standards German materialists and a few feeble for entrance upon training for a Doctorate imitators in this country, includes in Naturopathy, but these standards need practically nothing but Water–Cure, Air NOT be, nor should they be patterned after Cure in a modified degree, and Food Cure the medical requirements. Our work is not in a general and unadapted regimen. based on a warped and decadent Massage and Swedish Movements might pathology, bacteriology, or biology (cited perhaps be added. 9 in Freibott 1990, #7)." Naturopathy, ideally at least, includes Again, one may note that Dr. Gehmann the following: Pure Love, Soul Marriage, Prenatal Culture, Painless Parturition, stated a Naturopathic understanding of Disease. Passionless Fatherhood, Natural Baby- This understanding is that of Bechamps rather hood, Child Culture, Astrology, Phren- than Pasteur. His explanation of this is found in a ology, Vocation Training, Individual Naturopath article entitled “Germ Theory vs. Education, Higher Physical Culture, Diet- Microzymian Theory.”10 etics, Hydropathy, Rejuvenative Breath- ing, Heliotherapy, Thermotherapy, Aero- Once again we see a differentiation from therapy, Geotherapy, Osteopathy, Mech- allopathic medicine, but nothing condemning anotherapy, Electrotherapy, Hesuko- Naturopathic Medicine, only a statement that the therapy, Kneipp–Cure, Just–Cure, Magnetic, Mental and Divine Healing, 8 op. cit. Therapeutic Vibration, Suggestion and 9 op cit. Hypnotism, New Thought, Self–Culture, 10 The Naturopath. February, 1940. p. 38, 48. Mental Regeneration, Physical Immortalism, Spirit–Unfoldment, God– Processes and Products.” Nor, does it Consciousness. mean that because the regular allopathic physician has embraced the use of many There’s a difference—and please don’t naturopathic materials and methods—long call us “Nature–Cure” cranks again. We after naturopaths have proven their are not a therapeutic gadfly or an anti– 11 therapeutic value—establish a copyright medical mule.” priority to their exclusive use by the The September 1948 issue of Herald of Health, regular physician. edited by Dr. T. M. Schippell, pg. 278, remarked Very frequently naturopathic physicians concerning Naturopathy versus Nature Cure: are confused with so–called “Nature Curists.” While naturopathic physicians “…Think of the less than 50 have a basic philosophy almost identical Naturopaths who gathered dishearteningly with the Nature Curist, the latter has a self at the so-called Golden Jubilee last year in limited scope or method of therapy. The New York City… What is more to the naturopathic physician is eclectic in his point this Salt Lake City Convention was a practice embracing the use of all of true Naturopathic get-together. It was Nature’s agents, forces, and products. really a physicians’ conclave. It certainly was nothing like that non-descript physical Another source of error occurs in culture-vegetarian conglomeration of fads, states which do not have adequate fancies foibles and follies, with naturopathic legislation. Here the natural naturopathy crowded out, such as healing field is being invaded by members disgraced Naturopathy at the Hotel of a non-drug profession. These Commodore a year ago in July…”12 practitioners, in their desire to broaden their own limited field, often masquerade Dr. Kuts-Cheraux, editor of “Naturae as naturopaths, and most infrequently to Medicina and Naturopathic Dispensatory”, the discredit of naturopathy. I believe, addresses this issue as well: however, such matters lie in the hands of In passing, we must correct an the legislators of such states. injustice frequently indulged in and that is Let not the uninitiated believe that the classification of Naturopathy as a naturopathy is to be classed as regular branch of so–called ‘‘drug–less healing.” medicine. In philosophy and thera–peutic To begin with, the term drugless physician practice, naturopathy differs greatly from is incongruous, since no true physician can the regular school. Even a comparison of be entirely non–drug for at some phases of the material contained herein with the his work he must use extraneous approved texts of the regular’s materia preparations, whether antiseptic or of medica will show a marked difference in common household variety, which is, the ingredients. The naturopathic strictly speaking, indeed not non–drug. physician, while possessing a materia The term “drugless,” as in a naturopathic medica of his own called the Naturae sense, is a differentiating term denoting Medicina, does use other effective that the practitioner uses less drugs in his measures in his practice. The appropriate practice as compared with the practitioners blending of manipulative, physiothera- of the regular school of healing. This does peutic and hygienic measures with a not necessarily mean that the naturopathic carefully chosen botanical or biological physician is permitted to run rampant in prescription constitutes only one method the regular allopathic physician’s thera– of naturopathic approach to treating the peutic field; for he is strictly limited to the sick.13 use of “Nature’s Agencies, Forces,

11 The Naturopath. 1902. 12 The American Drugless Physician and Mecca 13 Kuts-Cheraux, Ed. Naturae Medicina and News, Official Organ of the Independent Naturopathic Dispensatory, American Naturopathic Naturopath Association, Newark, New Jersey, vol. Physician and Surgeons Association. 2nd ed. 1998. 29, no. 1., October 1948, pg. 5. p. 5-6. Thus, Dr. Kuts-Cheraux here pans both On the side of the Medical Integrists by their Minimalists and Integrated Medicalists as not own definitions they are also not happy being being a part of true Naturopathic Medicine. Naturopaths, but consider themselves more Further regarding the Integrated Medicalist properly “green allopaths”; which they are. They positions that we need to adopt the “medical also emphasize using synthetic drugs as a major model” and allopathic techniques, theories, and treatment modality. Even when they do utilize ideas, Spitler remarks: ‘natural remedies’, being ‘green allopaths’ (their Fortunately for Naturopathy the thief term) their concepts of Integrative Medicine are (Allopathy) has no philosophy or such that they use herbs as medicines as opposed understanding of the natural laws of cure, to foods, they like extracts of herbal alkaloids, hence he is unable properly to apply what inorganic mineral salts, synthetic vitamins, etc. he has stolen so as effectively to make use These are heresies to any true Naturopath. of his ill gotten gains. His patients do not get completely well, as is shown — yes, A Medical Doctor in Britain was asked by proved — by the vast army of the the news media, “Isn’t it wonderful that chronically ill in the world today.14 allopathic doctors are using more homeopathics?” The Doctor looked at the This is exactly the problem with Integrated interviewer for a moment and simply replied, Medical ideas. They are neither allopathic nor “But how can that be, they are irreconcilable?” naturopathic, but a bastardized collection of This hits the nail on the head. Integrated techniques from irreconcilable paradigms and Medicine is, in the final result, an attempt to philosophies. It is also why Integrated Medicine reconcile the irreconcilable which requires a will never succeed in the public domain. veritable smoke and mirrors routine to keep Consequently, neither position can be true patients from discovering the sleights of hand. Naturopathy, irrespective of their breast beating. Natural Medicine can only be properly practiced The Minimalists of the Nature Cure bent are not within a true Naturopathic mindset. true Naturopaths by their own definitions. True In this regard we may note the opinion of Naturopaths according to Wendel use not only Dr. Benedict Lust: “air, water, light, heat, earth, food and herb therapy, electrotherapy, physiotherapy, minor There is another specimen of and orificial surgery, mechanotherapy, Maverick in human form that I have found naturopathic corrections and adjustments” but on this enlightening trip—I do not know where to classify him unless it is under the also “all Natural Methods and Modalities”, e.g., head of Modern Medicine. Can you every one of them. Minimalists are simply too picture a Naturopath who dabbles in restrictive in their idea of their scope of practice surgery and serum treatments? They are as to be true Naturopaths – and the sheer criminal in their work as orthodox restrictiveness precludes being a Naturopathic Medicine — fooling the public by “Natur- Physician. They do not even teach standard opathic” nomenclature. Incidentally, why diagnostic and clinical skills such as Dr. Paul do some Osteopaths and Chiropractors Wendel wrote of in his “Handbook On want surgical privileges? It is a funny Diagnosis”15 which he subtitled: “For The Use world that tries to combine water with oil. of Drugless Practitioners And Students.” These unbranded, uncatalogued, unclassified fake Naturopaths are imbued with the get-rich-quick, damn-the-public ideas. A blot on our decent escutcheon and 14 Spitler, Harry Rilen, Ed.-in-chief, Basic a disgrace to our civilization.16 Naturopathy - A Textbook, American Naturopathic Physician and Surgeons Association. 2nd ed. 1998. To the credit of most correspondence p. 23. schools, although some are heading in the direction of Integrated Medicine, they do teach 15 Handbook On Diagnosis: For The Use of Drugless Practitioners And Students. Wendel, Paul. 16 Nature’s Path, March 1933, “Striding Through 1950. the States, p. 82. somewhat of real natural treatment in healing, the special law of Congress of February, though they lack any idea of philosophy, 1929. In conformity with this definition physical examination and clinical internships. To are the curriculums of all true the credit of the Integrated Medicalists they do Naturopathic schools made. It is the basis clinical internships and learn some real for all legislation and our strong line of defense. To the terms of the definition diagnostic methods, although their ideas of must we adjust our practices. Remember: treatment are deeply polluted into allopathy. Naturopaths are Doctors — minus Materia 18 How then do we determine what the scope Medica and Surgery. of practice of the Naturopathic Physician to be? This brings us to questions of Naturopathic Quite simply. The definition of Naturopathy has Education. These questions need to be addressed, existed since 1931 and it has, in fact, been but are beyond the scope of this short article. incorporated into the federal Dictionary of Nevertheless it is evident that, as Dr. Lust noted, Occupational Titles. It is: Naturopathic education needs to be Naturopathic Doctor, Naturopathic (medical services) and neither Minimalist Nature Cure, nor 079.101-014 Integrated Medicalist. Naturopathic Medicine is a reality of its own that does not need to be A Naturopathic physician, diagnoses, treats and cares for patients, using a system of destroyed by either of these two “friends” if it is practice which bases treatment of going to succeed in the marketplace. physiological functions and abnormal However, it can be said quite succinctly that if conditions on natural laws governing the someone calling himself a “Naturopath” does not human body: utilizes physiological, psychological and mechanical methods, recognize this federal scope of practice, then it such as air, water, light, heat, earth, indicates a failing on the part of that person, school phototherapy, food and herb therapy, or organization — educational or otherwise. psychotherapy, electrotherapy, phy- Simply stated this person is not a proponent siotherapy, minor and orificial surgery, of true Naturopathy. This, then, is where the cut mechano-therapy, natural processed foods and herbs and nature's remedies. Excludes is made between true Naturopathy and all major surgery, therapeutic use of x-ray and pseudo-naturopathies, whether they be of the radium and use of drugs, except those Minimalist or Integrated Medicalist position. assimilable substances containing elements Each of us must determine whether we, or compounds which are components of ourselves, truly make the cut. body tissues and are physiologically Dr. von Peters is President of First National University compatible to body processes for of Naturopathy, the oldest and only federally chartered maintenance and life.17 (bolding mine) Naturopathic University in the world. This is the definition that was propounded First National University created the Doctor of and accepted by the Naturopathic profession. Naturopathic Medicine (N.M.D.) degree in 1960 to Ergo, it is this definition which defines and bring the profession back to true Naturopathic delimits Naturopathic practice. The Naturopathic Medicine. Physician in the line of Lust, Wendel, Collins, © First National University of Naturopathy Lindlahr and the other great lights of Naturopathy, & Allied Sciences practices according to this scope because he has 2 Forrest Rd. been trained as a Naturopathic Physician. Ft. Oglethorpe, GA 30742 Dr. Lust agrees, having stated definitively: 706-858-1233 www.fnun.edu In closing I will say that Naturopathy

— true Naturopathy — is summed up in Revised September, 2001 its recognized definition as embraced in © All Rights Reserved

17 U.S. Department of Labor, “Dictionary of Occupational Titles” 18 ob cit. “Striding Through the States, p. 82.