A science is said to be known by its literature and, if that be true,
Osteopathy is backward for there are few available books on the subject
for the student and investigator although there is a vast amount of
unclassified journalistic matter. A pretentious start was made and,
for a time, it appeared that we should have texts on all subjects for
the teaching of Osteopathy but, for reasons not necessary to give
here, these books did not live although their value and need was never
questioned.
The third edition of the Practice of Osteopathy was exhausted very soon
after publication and there have been insistent calls for a fourth
which is now presented with the hope that it will find as friendly
a reception as was accorded the previous editions. Close attention
to current literature has been given and reports from experienced
practitioners in the field has been sought and this material made
use of wherever possible. Besides this, certain sections have been
written by specialists in their several lines whose signed articles
we confidently present. The subject of osteopathic practice has been
handled to avoid undue optimism in the light of experience but, also,
not to lose sight of the fact that osteopathy won its way by performing
the so-called impossible in a multitude of cases. Therefore, it has
been thought best not to draw a hard and fast line on our limitations.
The border line between osteopathy and surgery has been demonstrated
as well as can be done on paper without the actual patient in hand.
Medical literature has been called upon to give its store of knowledge
wherever our needs have appeared and all osteopathic prints have, also,
given from their accumulated wisdom and experience.
The authors acknowledge, with thanks, this information from the many
writers for osteopathic journals who have created a great fund of
knowledge on osteopathic subjects and particularly those who have
contributed special sections.
CARL PHILIP MCCONNELL.
CHARLES CLAYTON TEALL.
1920.
“Osteopathy is not so much a question of books as it is of
intelligence. A successful osteopath is in all cases, or should be, a
person of individuality with a mechanical eye behind all motions or
efforts to readjust any part of the body to its original normality,
because unguided force is dangerous, often doing harm and failing to
give relief that should be the reward of well directed skill.”—A. T.
STILL.