OSTEOPATHY. According to its advocates, osteopathy is a system of health and healing founded on the theory that the liv ing body is a vital machine which will make the remedies neces sary to protect itself against disease so long as it is in correct me chanical adjustment. In addition, osteopathy insists upon a wholesome physical and mental environment, good food, proper exercise and rest, and pure air and water.
Structural derangement is considered as the most important underlying disease cause. What is called a "lesion" may be in bony, muscular, ligamentous, fascial or other tissue. For example in the bony "lesion," a joint usually lacks free movement. This stiffness may come from injury, strain, inflammation, infection, reflexes or other causes. The resultant lack of normal movement in surrounding tissues allows blood and lymph to stagnate, caus ing acidosis, irritating nerves which pass that way, and through them affecting the functions of various organs including blood vessels. The oedema and swelling and the contraction of muscles may also affect, by pressure or otherwise, the nerves, arteries and veins. Not only is there said to be a resultant interference with the body's ability to make its own serums and antitoxins to fight infectious disease processes, but "lesions" also produce positive suffering and disease in the form of neuritis and neuralgia, lum bago and sciatica, foot troubles, and disturbances of the special senses and of the functions of the various organs including endocrine and other glands.
Osteopathic diagnosis comprises physical examination of the entire body, its distinguishing feature being an intensive search for and study of the lesions described above. There is physical, chemical, and microscopic study of secretions and excre tions, and if necessary of tissues, and the use of the x-ray, basal metabolism apparatus and other scientifically accepted appliances.
Osteopathic therapy is based on the specific manipulative re moval of the "lesion" already discussed. It includes also correc tion of hygienic, dietetic, environmental and psychic conditions; surgery for fractures and lacerations, and the removal of abnormal growths or organs so diseased as to be dangerous to life; obstet rics and the administration of antidotes for poisons.
The American School of Osteopathy was organized at Kirks ville, Mo., in 1892. In 1937 there were other recognized colleges at Los Angeles, Kansas City, Des Moines, Chicago and Philadel phia. At the beginning, when the standards of medical education were low, the length of the course was two years. By about 1916, all the colleges required a high school education followed by four standard college years in osteopathy.
Osteopathy was promulgated by Dr. A. T. Still (q.v.). There are (1937) about 9,100 practitioners. What is now the American Osteopathic association was organized in 1897. Its headquarters are in Chicago. It publishes a Journal and four other monthly periodicals. There are State, provincial and local societies, British, Canadian, New England, Eastern, Middle-Atlantic and Western associations, the Osteopathic Women's National association, and several societies of specialists. Osteopathy is regulated by law throughout the United States and most of Canada. In a majority of States examination for license to practice is in the hands of examining boards composed of osteopathic physicians. In several States, there is no legal distinction between "doctor of osteopathy" and "doctor of medicine," while in others osteopathic practice is somewhat restricted.
Many osteopathic physicians have served and are serving on State and local health boards.
In Great Britain, though osteopathy is not recognized or regu lated by law, the British Osteopathic Association admits to mem bership graduates of recognised osteopathic colleges.
(R. G. Hu.)