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
A time for all things
We should eat when we are hungry, drink when we are thirsty, sleep when we are tired, sit close to the fire when we are cold, and wear spectacles when we are old; we should use such adjuncts as vibrators, electricity, hot bags and ice packs when we are ill, if there is no osteopath present who understands the form and functioning of every part of the human body.
The true osteopath does not need such assistance; and the would-be osteopath who adopts such devices should be very careful to avoid talking to a well informed anatomist, one who understands the normal physiological action of the human body, of the “wonderful power of his vibrator.” I say he should speak very guardedly of the action of his machine on the human body to the anatomist who is thoroughly acquainted with all parts of the human body and their functioning as he is very apt to make mental notes of the speaker’s wisdom or ignorance of his subject.
When the vibrator man tells of the wonderful exploits of his machine, then the anatomist may ask him to prove his statements by demonstration. Let him prove that the architect who formed the plan and wrote the specifications of life, failed to place in the body the necessary machinery with ample force to execute all its functions; to keep every muscle, nerve, vein, artery, bone and viscus in perfect order, and capable of all the action that the wisdom of Deity Himself considered necessary to the preparation, distribution and appropriation of all its fluids.
I will say to the users of vibrators that when you have proven by your vibrating machine the ignorance of God as an architect and builder, then I will cheerfully admit that you have discovered an improvement that is worthy the respect of God and man, and should be adopted by both. You will have succeeded in proving what has never before been proven—God’s ignorance and incompetency when he planned and constructed man, the temple of life. It is not for me to say that God has fallen short in constructing your mental vibrator, but will leave your acts to vindicate or condemn your mental superiority in the court of public opinion.
Just one word to the graduates of my school: when a patient first comes into your office use nothing but the skill of the hand and head of the successful osteopath. The patient does not come to your office to be shaken up by vibrators, shocked by electric batteries or treated by anything but the hand guided by the tenets of osteopathy.
Remember that the intelligent people of the world have long since lost confidence in the ability of adjuncts to assist nature in constructing and repairing from its own laboratories of power and motion. I will say further that I am constantly receiving letters inquiring who are my best operators. I never will knowingly recommend an “adjunctor,” because his adjuncts are the strongest evidence of his incompetency as an osteopath. He is a “fallen angel” and I cannot recommend him.
A.T. Still
Journal of Osteopathy, September 1904
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