I started a collection of texts from old osteopathic journals that could be of interest to osteopaths and people curious about osteopathy.
You can fin the full list here
Some were translated into French here
The thigh bone
I have something to tell you of a wonderful process of building which, mentally, I have to-day seen going on. Now, do not credit me with too much excitement or weakness of mind, Oh, ye philosophers, astronomers, divines, teachers, and law-makers, but follow me for a few minutes while I draw your minds out to such an extent that you can both see and hear the remarkable work I am to report.
The commander of my store of wisdom has for once called a halt as I view one of the most mysterious and beautiful sights of my life—the working of the Grand Architect and his subordinates on a bone, human in kind, a femur.
Draw your mental microscope, raise it to its greatest power as you read the specifications for this unique building. Now, the order is given by the commanding general to his subordinates, “Attention. Officers, infantry and cavalry! Fall into line, you workmen, and proceed to execute with mathematical precision. Every block and every stringer uniting with minute exactness. Let your work be correct, faultless, for the specifications require a construction so careful that though the Infinite Mind became for a time a sub-committeeman to examine your work, it would be found that you have fulfilled the requirements of the specification demanding the building of a thigh bone, perfect in all its material and mental parts.
And ever remember that the word “perfect” means no more, no less than the fiat of the Infinite that His work has been concluded with absolute exactness. Behold with me the division commanders, each in place, bearing the insignia of his rank; the commander general speaks positively to the ordnance department, “Fill and keep the magazine of force and motion supplied with that which is chemically pure and needful in the building up of this wonderful structure which is only a part of the superstructure commonly called, man.”
All orders are given in silence and obeyed without a murmur. Every subordinate comes with that which is necessary for construction and the masons of the Infinite go forth with pleasure to execute the design of their Superior, knowing their work will be carefully examined and their lives will pay the forfeit in case of failure to fulfil all requirements. The Commander General says to each subordinate “Carry your burden and deposit it in workman-like style or death will be the penalty.” The well-trained army, knowing this to be the truth, proceed with the atoms as selected by the Divine Critic and no more care is expended in the selection than is expected to be shown in depositing them in and on the wall according to the place of previous instruction.
The order has gone forth—each workman obeys the command; thousands upon thousands and millions after millions hear and obey this fiat: “Go and labor day and night and night and day until this part is completed, inspected and received.”
A part of the constructing force is engaged in repairing all waste and losses that occur during the years of mortal life. Nor do they forget the command of cleanliness, which is the reverse of construction, to carry away all worn out fragments of this wonderful part of the machine. While they are adjusting it to its natural place in the engine, other divisions and commands are fulfilling the order of a like femur to be its helpmate.
Being now held in place to the body and accepted as finished, they wait with anxiety another’s higher order—Arise more and forever, house and care for the great in-dweller, the spirit of man, the essence and secret of God, life, the unsolved problem of eternity.
A.T. Still
Journal of Osteopathy, March 1895
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