Kinds of Evidence Acceptable
It will be seen that of the three kinds of evidence—Anatomical, Physiological, and Clinical—which are admissible in reasoning upon the connection between the spine and disease, only one form—clinical evidence—has been adduced by Chiropractic. For anatomical and physiological corroboration of our apparent clinical findings we are obliged to turn to standard works on these subjects; fortunately we find it in abundance.
Anatomy, fortified now by research in the morphologic relations of the parts studied and by physiological and pathological experiment which has thrown much light on the proper viewpoints from which to describe structure, contains sufficient data on the nervous system to enable us to explain practically every fact observable in a Chiropractic clinic.
It is true that there are a few statements in the ensuing outlines for which we cannot as yet find the anatomical or physiological proof. But it must be remembered that anatomists and physiologists have never studied the body with a knowledge of the subluxation theory to aid them in gaining perspective and that Chiropractors, as a class, have not yet delved deeply enough into anatomy and physiology to extract all the available and illuminating information from them. Ofttimes the facts we value most are most obscure in the texts because to others they seem least important. But they are there. Armed with information concerning Chiropractic facts it is probable that the scientist of the future will corroborate all of our clinical findings of today and emphasize the rational explanations of them.
In the following tables it has been found best to insert in parentheses the capital letter (P) to call attention to any statement in support of which we have gathered less than all three forms of admissible evidence and which is therefore as yet presumptive. It is well, however, for the practitioner to be careful lest he regard too lightly such presumptive statements. Unless there is very strong and reasonable ground for such presumption or a general belief in its correctness all mention of it is omitted. Those labelled presumptive are merely so indicated because they have not yet been proven and not because they have failed to serve as a convenient and useful guide to adjustment. For each presumption offered there is either clinical or anatomical justification but not both.