If Osteopathic promoters do not feel that the life of their science depends on boosting, what did the secretary of the A.O.A. mean when he said, “Upon the success of these efforts depends the weal or woe of Osteopathy as an independent system”? If truth always grows under persecution, how can the American Medical Association kill Osteopathy when it is so well known by the people?
Nearly four thousand Osteopaths are scattered in thirty-six States where they have some legal recognition, and they are treating thousands of invalids every day. If they are performing the wonderful cures Osteopathic journals tell of, why are we told that the welfare of the system depends upon the noise that is made and the boosting that is done?
Has it required advertising to keep people using anesthetics since it was demonstrated that they would prevent pain?
Has it required boosting to keep the people resorting to surgery since the benefits of modern operations have been proved?
Does it look as if Osteopathy has been standing or advancing on its merits? Does it not seem that Osteopathy, as a complete system, is mostly a name, and “lives, moves, and has its being” in boosting? It seems to have been about the best boosted fad ever fancied by a foolish people. Governors and senators have boosted for it. Osteopathic journals have published again and again the nice things a number of governors said when they signed the bills investing Osteopathy with the dignity of State authority.
A certain United States senator from Ohio has won more notoriety as a champion of Osteopathy than he has lasting fame as a statesman.
Osteopathy has been the especial protégé of authors. Mark Twain once went up to Albany and routed an army of medical lobbyists who were there to resist the passage of a bill favorable to Osteopathy. For this heroic deed Mark is better known to Osteopaths to-day than even for his renowned history of Huckleberry Finn. He is in danger of losing his reputation as a champion of the “under dog in the fight.” Lately he has gone on the warpath again. This time to annihilate poor Mother Eddy and her fond delusion.
Opie Reed is a delightful writer while he sticks to the portrayal of droll Southern character. Ella Wheeler Wilcox is admirable for the beauty and boldness with which she portrays the passions and emotions of humanity. But they are both better known to Osteopaths for the bouquets they have tossed at Osteopathy than for their profound human philosophy that used to be promulgated by the Chicago American.
Emerson Hough gave a little free advertising in his “Heart’s Desire.” There may have been “method in his madness,” for that Osteopathic horse doctoring scene no doubt sold many a book for the author.
Sam Jones also helped along with some of his striking originality. Sam said, “There is as much difference between Osteopathy and massage as between playing a piano and currying a horse.” The idea of comparing the Osteopath’s manipulations of the human body to the skilled touch of the pianist upon his instrument was especially pleasing to Osteopaths. However, Sam displayed about the same comprehension of his subject that preachers usually exhibit who try to say nice things about the doctors when they get their doctoring gratis or at reduced rates.