Immunity is one of the most interesting and yet the most illusive and complicated subjects which we will have to consider from the standpoint of chiropractic philosophy, for in order to understand immunity we must understand the adaptative processes carried on within the body. From time immemorial man has made an effort to immunize himself from the ravages of dis-ease. In former times he tried to accomplish this through the use of charms which led to many superstitious practices, some remnants of which have survived to the present day. In recent years large sums of money have been expended in scientific research in an effort to discover the secret which would make the human race immune from dis-ease, but to no avail. It is a recognized fact that great good has been accomplished in improving conditions and creating an environment in which there might be a more perfect expression of life with less necessity for an excessive expenditure of adaptative energy. But man himself has not been made immune by these methods. The procedure has been wrong for the cause of dis-ease is not in man’s environment, but within man himself. Chiropractic will accomplish the most desired end by restoring to normal the transmission of mental impulses to all parts of the body so there may be a complete adaptation to all environmental conditions that may arise. The body will then be protected from the supposedly deadly microörganisms that are accused of being responsible for human ills.
If the public could read what the hygienists have to say on the subject of immunology and could read it in the light of chiropractic philosophy they would realize that chiropractic adjustments will not only restore health to the sick, but will prevent the well from getting sick.
In order that the student may understand the subject more fully we will now consider briefly in a general way some of the former theories of immunity and then take up a careful study of the chiropractic philosophy of immunity.
On page 528 of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, by Rosenau, we read: “We are still ignorant of the mechanism by which the body protects itself against many dis-eased states.” He also gives us the idea that the mechanism of immunity varies not only in different infections, but in the same infection when under different and varying conditions.
Natural Immunity
Immunity is classed as natural, acquired and artificial. Natural immunity is that natural resistance of Innate Intelligence through the activity in the normal body whereby all invading organisms and poisons, as well as all the products of katabolism are excreted before they have an opportunity to act upon the tissues or otherwise interfere with the vital processes in the body.
Acquired Immunity
Acquired immunity is the result of the adaptative processes of Innate Intelligence during the time the so-called dis-ease is active in the body which results in the recovery of the patient. To illustrate: During the attack of measles there is an adaptative process carried on which results in the recovery of the patient. During the process of this adaptation Innate produces changes in the body which makes possible the excretion of this kind of poison when introduced into the body in the future. It is a recognized fact, however, that having a dis-ease will not always prevent the recurrence of the dis-ease. In other words, to put it in the terminology familiar to all, having a dis-ease will not always produce immunity.
Artificial Immunity
Artificial immunity is classified as active and passive. George M. Price, M.D., in his Hygiene and Public Health, says: “Active immunity is produced by the following conditions: (1) Recovery from dis-ease. (2) Inoculation with virulent living bacteria. (3) Vaccination with attenuated bacteria; (4) with dead bacteria; (5) with bacterial extracts. Passive immunity is conferred by antitoxins and serums.”