Part 1 (1/2)
Philosophy of Osteopathy.
by Andrew T. Still.
Preface.
Many of my friends have been anxious ever since Osteopathy became an established fact, that I should write a treatise on the science. But I was never convinced that the time was ripe for such a production, nor am I even now convinced that this is not a little premature. Osteopathy is only in its infancy, it is a great unknown sea just discovered, and as yet we are only acquainted with its sh.o.r.e-tide.
When I saw others who had not more than skimmed the surface of the science, taking up the pen to write books on Osteopathy, and after having carefully examined their productions, found they were drinking from the fountains of old schools of drugs, dragging back the science to the very systems from which I divorced myself so many years ago, and realized that hungry students were ready to swallow such mental poison, dangerous as it was, I became fully awakened to the necessity of some sort of Osteopathic literature for those wis.h.i.+ng to be informed.
This book is free from quotations from medical authors, and differs from them in opinion on almost every important question. I do not expect it to meet their approval; such a thing would be unnatural and impossible.
It is my object in this work to teach principles as I understand them, and not rules. I do not instruct the student to punch or pull a certain bone, nerve or muscle for a certain disease, but by a knowledge of the normal and abnormal, I hope to give a specific knowledge for all diseases.
This work has been written a little at a time for several years, just as I could s.n.a.t.c.h a moment from other cares to devote to it. I have carefully compiled these thoughts into a treatise. Every principle herein laid down has been fairly well tested by myself, and proven true.
The book has been written by myself in my own way, without any ambition to fine writing, but to give to the world a start in a philosophy that may be a guide in the future.
Owing to the great haste with which the book has been rushed through the press to meet the urgent demand, we will ask the indulgence of the public for any imperfection that may appear. Hoping the world may profit by these thoughts, I am,
Respectfully, A. T. STILL.
Kirksville, Mo., Sept. 1, 1899.
CHAPTER I.
SOME INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.
Not a Work of Compilation--Authors Quoted--Method of Reasoning--The Osteopath an Artist--When I Became an Osteopath--Dr. Neal's Opinion--The Opinions of Others--What Studies Necessary--What I Mean by Anatomy--Principles--The Practicing Osteopath's Guide--The Fascia--Not a Pleasing Task--Without Accepted Theories--Truths of Nature--Body, Motion and Mind--Osteopathy to Cure Disease--The Osteopath Should Find Health.
NOT A WORK OF COMPILATION.
To readers of my book on the Philosophy of Osteopathy, I wish to say that I will not tire you with a book of compilations just to sell to the anxious reader. As I have spent thirty years of my life reading and following rules and remedies used for curing, and learned in sorrow it was useless to listen to their claims, for instead of getting good, I obtained much harm therefrom, I asked for, and obtained a mental divorce from them, and I want it to be understood that drugs and I are as far apart as the East is from the West; now, and forever. Henceforth I will follow the dictates of nature in all I say or write.
AUTHORS QUOTED.
I quote no authors but G.o.d and experience when I write, or lecture to the cla.s.ses or the ma.s.ses, because no book written by medical writers can be of much use to us, and it would be very foolish to look to them for advice and instruction on a science they know nothing of. They are illy able to advise for themselves, they have never been asked to advise us, and I am free to say but few persons who have been pupils of my school have tried to get wisdom from medical writers and apply it as worthy to be taught as any part of Osteopathy, philosophy or practice.
Several books have been compiled, called ”Principles of Osteopathy.”
They may sell but will fail to give the knowledge the student desires.
METHOD OF REASONING.
The student of any philosophy succeeds best by the more simple methods of reasoning. We reason for needed knowledge only, and should try and start out with as many known facts as possible. If we would reason on diseases of the organs of the head, neck, abdomen or pelvis, we must first know where these organs are, how and from what arteries the eye, ear, or tongue is fed.
THE OSTEOPATH AN ARTIST.