Adair County, Missouri - Chapter 12: Schools of Osteopathy, 1911

Any account of the American School of Osteopath}' must include omething in the way of a biographical sketch of Dr. A. T. Still, the (Hinder of the science of osteopathy. Inasmuch as many of his early xperiences paved the way for his ultimate discovery of osteopathy, t is well to give them in some detail.

Andrew Taylor Still was born August 0, 1828, three miles orth of Jonesboro, Lee County, Virginia. He was the third on of Abram and Martha Still. In 1834 his father, who was a -hysician and a Methodist preacher, moved his family to Newuarket. Tennessee. His first schooling was received while living t this place, in what was known as "Hoist on College. " In 1837 his ather was appointed as the first Methodist missionary to North Misouri, which was at that time just being settled up. The trip was made ii seven weeks, the family coming in two wagons and with seven horses. *he family lived in Macon County from 1837 to 1840 and thence moved art her north into what afterwards was known as Schuyler County, u 1845 the family was back again in Macon County.

Dr. Still's schooling during these years was fragmentary and primtive in character. The pioneer condition of North Missouri at that ime permitted nothing extended in the way of educational facilities, u his Autobiography he describes one of the school houses in which he ittended school: "That autumn we felled trees in the woods and built i log cabin eighteen by twenty feet in size, seven feet high, dirt floor, vith one whole log or pole left out to admit light through sheeting tacked »ver the space so we could see to read and write."

"My father owned a farm and raised a large amount of corn, and lad a great many horses, mules, cattle, sheep, and hogs to feed on it, » our crops were consumed at home. We had so much corn to husk ind crib that we were compelled to commence very early in order to ?et it stored away before cold weather. When we were all in our teens, my eldest brother nineteen, the next seventeen, and myself fifteen, we ithered corn from early morn till late in the evening, fed the stock, e our suppers, and prepared for a good hunt for coons, foxes, opossums, id skunks. We always took a gun, an axe, a big butcher knife, and mt and steel to make a fire. We had a polished cow's horn which we >uld blow as loud as the horn that overthrew the walls of Jericho. As rot her Jim was a great talker, we made him chief horn-blower. He cut into the yard, and bracing himself tooted and tooted and split le air for miles, while the dogs collected around him and roared and L>\vled. You never heard such sweet music as brother Jim and the ogs made. Shortly after his melodies began, we were in line of march, out, middle and rear rank, and soon journeyed to the woods to hunt possums, polecats, coons, wild-cats, foxes, and turkeys."

**My frontier experience was valuable to me in more ways than I ail tell. It was invaluable in my scientific researches. Before 1 had ever :udied anatomy from books I had almost perfected the knowledge om the great book of nature. The skinning of squirrels had brought le into contact with muscles, nerves, and veins. The bones, the great mndation of the wonderful house we live in, were always a study to le long before I learned the hard names given to them by the scientific -or Id. As the skull of a horse was used at my first school as a seat for be indolent scholar, I have thought it might be typical of the good orse sense that led me to go to the fountain head of all knowledge nd there learn the lesson that drugs are dangerous to the body, and lie science of medicine just what some great physicians declared it o he - a humbug."

On January 29, 1849, he was married to Miss Mary M. Vaughn. >\ving to the destruction of his corn crop by a hail storm in the follow- [ig July he was forced to teach school the next winter, receiving therefor n.3 a month.

In May, 1853, he and his wife left Macon County and went with his at her to the Shawnee Mission of the Met hodist Church, which was oeateii on the Wakarusa, forty miles west of Kansas City. The land vas vet occupied by the Indians. No English was spoken outside of be mission. Here he farmed and assisted his father in doctoring the ndians for erysipelas, fever, flux, pneumonia and cholera which pre- 'ailed among them. His only preparation for this work had consisted ii ** reading medicine" with his father. His experience with the Inlians offered him his first opportunity to do original research work. rrom curliest youth the study of the mechanics of the human body messed a great fascination for him. His interest in these things was obably due largely to his family environment: his father was both a ivsician and a preacher; his father's three brothers were physicians; id later his two older brothers became physicians also. He increased s knowledge of anatomy by digging up the bones of many a "good idian" and carefully studying them. His success as a practitioner nong the Indians and the early pioneers was about the average.

He went to Kansas just as the great crisis in the history of that rritory was coming on. Having deep convictions on the issues that « re up, he did not hesitate to take a part in the struggle. He was uminently identified with "Jim" Lane and John Brown in their ef- to keep the territory free from slavery, and was a member of the rec State Legislature of 1857, representing Douglas County. In ptember, 1861, he enlisted in the Ninth Kansas Cavalry, and served - surgeon in that regiment until he was honorably discharged in April, Mi2. He thereupon enlisted in the Twenty-First Kansas State Militia ml served as Major in it until October, 1864, when that regiment was ljbanded.

In 1865-66 he attended the Kansas City Medical School and reeved there the only formal instruction in medicine he ever got. He ad, however, begun to lose faith in drugs while serving in the army, nd his stay in the Kansas City school does not seem to have strengthtied his faith in them any.

Meanwhile, changes had taken place in his own family. On Sep- > mber 29, 1859, his wife died, leaving three children, and in the spring >f 1864 two of these children and an adopted child died of spinal meningitis. Meanwhile, he was married a second time, taking as his wife Miss Mary E. Turner on November 20. 1860. For nearly fifty years bey journeyed together on the pathway of life, Mrs. Still dying on May 28, 1910.

In the early seventies Dr. Still made some interesting inventions ii machinery. Among them were a reaper, mower, and a churn. It wms as though a mowing machine company got hold of the idea he iad worked out for a reaper and mower, and used them without making Aim any compensation. He was able, however, to peddle his own -hum, and he spent some time at this with some degree of success until the summer of 1874. In that year he made his famous discovery of osteopathy.

Through years of study and thought upon the subject Dr. Still had been gradually coming to a realization of the truth he was to impart. He relates that his first discovery in the science of osteopathy was made when he was a lad of only ten years. One day when he v* suffering from a headache he made a swing of his father's plow line f*. tween two trees, so that the swing hung within eight or ten inch* . the ground. Throwing the end of a blanket over the swing, b W down on the ground and used the line for a swinging pillow. In a *twr time he was asleep and when he woke up his headache was gone. H was not able to reason it out how he had relieved himself, but he t\v | accustomed thereafter to make a rope swing and use it when he felt . headache coming on.

It has been noted how during the war he had begun to lose hi*:, in drugs. He kept on revolving his ideas in his mind until finally..-. June 22, 1874, according to his testimony, the whole light burst in up* him. How he arrived at this discovery we will let him tell from VAutobiography :

"This year (1874) I began an extended study of the drive whef-lr pinions, cups, arms, and shafts of human life with their forces, supplier framework, and attachments by ligaments; muscles, their origin. aK insertion; nerves, their origin and supply; blood supply from and i the heart; how and where the motor nerves received their power an-! motion; how the sensory nerves acted in their function?; voluntary am: involuntary nerves in performing their duties, the sources of their ?u{f ply, and the work done in health, in the obstructing parts, in the pbthrough which they passed to perform their part in the economy of In - all this study awoke a new interest within me. I believed that * [nothing abnormal could be found in some of the nerve divisions whirs would tolerate a temporary or permanent suspension of the blood eiilK in arteries or veins and cause disease."

"With this thought I began to ask myself, What is fever? h ' an effect, or is it a thing, as commonly described by medical author* I concluded it was only an effect, and on that line I have experiment! >: and proven the position I then took to be a truth, wonderfully sustain by nature responding every time in the affirmative. I have conclude! after twenty-five years of observation and experimenting that there > no such disease as fever, flux, diphtheria, typhus, typhoid, lung few:, or any other fever classed under the common head of fever; rheumatic sciatica, gout, colic, liver disease, nettlorash or croup, on to the end el the list, do not exist as diseases. All these separately and comhirW are only effects. The cause can be found and does exist in the linii^! or excited action of the nerves which control the fluids of part of itwhole of the body. It appears perfectly reasonable to any person lx>rubove the condition of an idiot, who has familiarized himself with ana!- omy and its working; with the machinery of life, that all diseases are effects, the cause being a partial or complete failure of the nerves to properly conduct the fluids of life."

The theory of osteopathy has many versions, but there is none that describes it more thoroughly or plainly than the one given by its founder in his own characteristic language:

-Osteopathy deals with the body as an intricate machine which if kept in proper adjustment, nourished and cared for, will run smoothly into a ripe and useful old age. As long as the human machine is in order, like the locomotive or any other mechanical contrivance, it will perform the functions for which it was intended. When every part of the machine is adjusted and in perfect harmony, health will hold dominion over the human organism by laws as natural and immutable as the law of gravitation. Every living organism has within it the power to manufacture and prepare all chemicals, materials and forces needed to build and rebuild itself, together with all the machinery and apparatus required to do this work in the most perfect manner, producing the only substance that can be utilized, in the economy of the individual. X<> material other than food and water taken in satisfaction of the demands of the appetite inot perverted taste) can be introduced from the outside without detriment."

When Dr. Still made his discovery he was living in Baldwin, Kan- Nt'. This was the home of Baker University, a Methodist institution which Dr. Still and his father and brothers had helped very materially to ?et start od some years before. When he asked the privilege of explaining his new found science in the institution, he was flatly refused the authorities.

Finding Kansas an unwelcome field he came back to Missouri in '*"."). and after spending three months visiting his brother E. ( \ Still at Macon, he came on to Kirksville. After sojourning here for three months he sent for his family, consisting then of a wife and four little children. They arrived in May, 1875.

In Kirksville he found at least four friends who aided him. One wa* Mrs. Ivie. who kept a hotel and gave him his room and meals a 'iionth without charge. Another was F. A. drove, M. D., who encouraged him in his new ideas; another was Robert Harris, machinist and and experienced gunsmith, whose wife was relieved by Dr. Still from a distressing malady which had afflicted her for years; the fourth was Charley Chinn, from whom he rented a suite of rooms over his store on terms that were exceedingly generous. The kindnesses of these people, Dr. Still never tires of talking about.

In the North Missouri Register, a paper published in Kirksvili* from 1870 to 1879, there appeared in the issue for March 11, 187.5. Dr Still's professional card, in which he announced himself as a Magnet* Healer and in which he gave his office and office hours. In the issue f >' March 18, this personal notice appeared:

"The attention of the readers of the Register is called to the canlv Dr. Still, magnetic healer, who has quietly opened up an office for tilhealing of disease, and from the success attending his profession thu< far at this place, he with others now associated with him expect to l>uiii up an Infirmary that will be noted for its good works in healing ;b afflicted. They now occupy two rear rooms over Chinn's store. expect soon to occupy the whole of the upper story thereof."

We see from the advertisement and this personal notice that at early a date as 1875 Dr. Still was dreaming of plans for an Infirmary which have been realized even more fully than he had then dreamed. We also note that he had not yet coined the word osteopathy: ttai was not done until 1887. Until then he used terms which would attnut attention, such as Magnetic Healing, and even as late as 1891 hesiennJ published articles as "The Lightning Bone Setter."

His first patients were among the poor and unfortunate. M;ir, a time he was either refused admittance or was compelled to come m\» the homes he would visit, by the back door, for fear the people wb-' allowed him to come in would be ridiculed or ostracized.

In the course of a few months after coming to Kirksville. lie b<l acquired a practice sufficient, as he says, to feed his "wife and bai>i* and pay house rent," but a severe spell of typhoid fever which ta>^i from September, 1870 to June, 1877, proved hard on him physically and financially. In 1878 he went to Kansas where he remained until 1880, when he went to Wadesburgh, Henry County, Missouri. (\uWl Lowe, who was his colonel in the army, was living at Wadesburgh ami sent for him to come and treat him. For six years thereafter he ticed in and around Clinton, Holden, Harrisonville, Rich Hill and Karsas City. He was popularly known as the "tramp doctor." The ficulty of getting patients in any one locality forced him to lx*coint t:i itinerant doctor.

In 1880 he returned to the northeastern part of the state and open*: up offices at Hannibal, Palmyra, and other places. Finally in 1S\ he decided to give up travelling and settle down at Kirksville. He Itftured in every school house in Adair County, it is said, explaining the people his theory. He always found the common people excelled listeners. The points made were illustrated by treating the afflict' his audiences. Often his treating and lecturing would hold his auence until after midnight. Generally one of his sons was with him id would assist him by holding some portion of the patient's body as reeled, while he did the specific work.

In a few years after he had returned to Kirksville he was travelling lain, going over much the same territory he had covered in the early ghties. Even after patients had begun to come in large numbers to irksville, Dr. Still and his sons were accustomed to travel over this ate and other states and give treatments. This practice of going out \ such trips seems to have been given up about 1894 or 1895.

Dr. Still on such trips would frequently give public lectures on the reets and publicly demonstrate his ideas. At some places people would ime from great distances to see and hear the wonderful "faith cure octor." as they often called him. Almost all the patients he treated i public were treated without charge. Many a time an afflicted per- >n who had been relieved at some public exhibition would go away uniting at the top of his voice for joy.

The pioneer days in the seventies and eighties were times of much Stress of mind and body to Dr. Still and his family. Not only were mes hard, but ridicule and abuse had to be borne. Such terms as azy crank, impostor, fake doctor and others still more uncomplimenirv were used to designate him. In many places little children were nifilit to cross the street rather than pass him on the sidewalk. Preachrs condemned him from the pulpit. These were trying time* and only stout-hearted man could have passed through them successfully, tut Dr. Still was not left to bear his burdens alone. To his faithful -ifp who remained cheerful and hopeful through it all. Dr. Still ascribes much of the credit of his ultimate success.

As has been stated before, Dr. Still decided to settle down in Kirksille somewhere in 1887. Very soon the practice became more than lie ouM handle alone. For several years one or the other of his sons, larry and Charles, had been accustomed to accompany him on his rips and render assistance, but up to this time neither was a practiioner. It occurred to Dr. Still that he should give full instructions o his eldest son and make out of him a full-fledged practitioner. Sueceding in this and finding he needed more help in attending to his palents who were coming in greater numbers, he began to give full instrucion to two other sons, Charles and Herman, and finally to his young- >t son Fred, and at least three intimate friends of the family. Mr. Willerson. Mr. Hatten, and Mr. Ward, each of whom were later given the itle of doctor. The success he had with these members of his family imd intimate friends proved to him that his science was something which could be imparted to others, and refuted the oft-repeated statement of that time that when Dr. Still died osteopathy would die with hi in He now began to think of establishing a school in which the science « osteopathy might be taught to all who wished to learn it. In a short time the school was established, but it was in connection with an infirmary, and for a long time the school was secondary to the infirmary.

189J they began to come in scores from all parts of the country. Il was nothing uncommon for him to have as many as 100 to 125 different patients every week. Up to 1892 treatments were given at Dr. Still"- residence, or at the homes or boarding houses of the patients. Hi* extended success in treating and teaching demanded a special buildine for this work, and several towns offered to erect such a building on condition he would locate there and bring all his patients ami students with him. Macon was among the towns that offered special inducement* None of these propositions were accepted. He decided to remain in Kirksville, declining at the same time a proffered bonus.

d member of the faculty, Dr. William Smith of Edinburgh, Scotiul. who was to take charge of the instruction in anatomy and surgery, r. Still tells in his Autobiography how he became acquainted with r. Smith. One day in June, 1802, Dr. Smith came to Kirksville sellg surgical and medical instruments. He called on Dr. Still, and the lpression he made was so favorable, he was forthwith engaged to ach in the school the coming season. The school opened in a little ie-story frame building which stood where the Infirmary now stands, his building; was later moved across the street where it now stands, he cut on the opposite page is from a photograph taken in 1911.

The school was soon threatened with complete extinction by a bill hieh was introduced in the Missouri Legislature providing that no -hool except eclectic, allopathic and homeopathic colleges should grant plomas. This bill was introduced in June, 1893. It was readily rn that this bill if passed would wreck the American School of Osteoithy, which had been doing a very lucrative business in Kirksville. A -monstrance against the bill was circulated and signed in Kirksville, and udge Andrew Ellison and Dr. William Smith went in person to Jefferm City to work against it. The bill failed to pass the House, and »<> school was saved.

Besides opposition abroad there was some of it at home. The kirksville papers all during 1893, especially .March and June, contained mtroversial articles between the champions and opponents of osteoatliy. The opponents were chiefly from the medical profession, though here were many outside who had no faith in osteopathy. But Dr. -till did not lack for ardent supporters in the town by this time. This i seen in the demonstration made at the opera house on the evening of unc 22. 1893, when the nineteenth anniversary of the discovery of *teopathy was celebrated. His address was the event of the program, n which he gave a sketch of the history of osteopathy. A large crowd vas in attendance and showed enthusiastic interest in his cause.

The first graduating exercises were held at the Opera House on March 2, 1894. Including the three who had completed their work the needing January, this class was composed of nineteen persons as

Speeches were made by P. F. Greenwood, F. M. Harrington. Pn-- ident W. D. Dobson, Dr. Still, and Mr. Dodge of Sedalia. . President Dobson acted as master of ceremonies. After the exercises a banquet was given by the class to a number of invited guests at one of the hotels Subsequent graduations came at irregular intervals down to 1S!»S 99. Since that time two classes have been graduated each year, except the two years, 1907-08, and 1908-09 when there was only one class a year. One class is graduated in June, the other in January or Fe>- ruary.

Commencement exercises were held at first in the Opera Hou* After the main part of the present building was erected, they were heM in Memorial Hall, or if the weather permitted the May or June conimene?- ment exercises have been held on the front lawns of the residence <>t Drs. A. T. and C. E. Still.

The rapid increase in the number of patients and the excellent prospect for an increase in the number of students led certain townamong which were Des Moines, Kansas City, Sedalia, and Macon, to offer special inducements to Dr. Still to locate there. In order to show their interest in Dr. Still and his work and to give tangible evidence o: that interest, a large number of Kirksville citizens met in a mass meeting on May 2<i. 1894. Every one present felt the importance of keeping Dr. Still and his institution in town. A committee was appointed t.> secure subscriptions to a fund which would be tendered to Dr. Sn.i S. M. Pickler offered to give five acres of ground in the west part of town and H. M. Brashear ten acres in the east part. In a few days were raised and presented to Dr. Still, together with some valuain

"We. the citizens of Kirksville, assembled at the Mayor's office - i- evening. May 28, 1804, to take into consideration the advisability of assisting to ereet an infirmary in conjunction with Dr. A. T. Still f«»r his use and the benefit of humanity, try to express our appreciation of his great ability as the founder and exponent of the School of Osteopathy. That we as citizens feel proud of him as a fellow-townsman; that we have the utmost confidence in his skill as a healer, as is evidenced

I'V hundreds of his patients who come halt and lame and depart in a few weeks with light heart and straightened limb; that we believe in his integrity as a man, and we feel proud that he lias gained a national nputation. and earnestly ask Dr. Still to remain with us, and we promhini substantial aid, and our most hearty support in holding up his hands, as the greatest leader of modern times."

<>n accepting the money and lands tendered to him. Dr. Still promsed to remain in Kirksville; and in doing so he said his decision had Ufn reached not so much because of the bonus as the hearty co-operation of the citizens which had been manifested.

Dr. Still purchased sixty-one acres from Mrs. Haley which lay ju«* west of his place, for $7,500, and also the G. R. Brewington resident which joined Mrs. Haley's property on the south for $3,000.

In August, 1894, the contract was let for a three-story building 88 by 44 feet, to cost about $15,000. In the Democrat for August 24. 1894, there was published a letter from Dr. Still, in which he thank*; the citizens for their contribution and announced that the amount the\ had given would be used in building the hotel then under const ruction by his son, H. M. Still. He further announced that the money expcnde.1 in building the new infirmary would be what he had earned in the pra - tice of osteopathy.

The dedication of this building occurred on Thursday evening January 10, 1895. A formal program was carried out, in which therv were addresses by Mr. P. F. Greenwood, Dr. Still, Judge Andrew Ellison, Prof. G. H. Laughlin, and Mr. H. F. Millan. The addresses wen interspersed with musical selections.

The first anniversary of the dedication of the Infirmary was duly celebrated by appropriate exercises on January 10, 1890. At sunna number of guns were fired and at sundown the firing was repeats! In the evening Memorial Hall was crowded to its utmost capacity Addresses were made by Dr. Still and Dr. A. G. Hildreth.

Meanwhile, the school had been rechartered. The first chart.r had proved to be deficient in regard to the powers which it conferral, and a new one was therefore secured. Articles of incorporation wort* secured from the Adair County Circuit Court on October 22, 1894. ami the same were filed with the Secretary of State on October 30. The* articles, with some subsequent minor amendments, are as follows:

''Article 1 : - The name and style of this corporation shall k Thk American School of Osteopathy, and shall be located in thf city of Kirksville in the County of Adair, and State of Missouri.

"Article 2: -The officers of this corporation shall be a President and such other officers as the Trustees shall from time to time deem necessary and appoint.

"Article 3: - The object of this corporation is to establish a College of Osteopathy, the design of which is to improve our present system of Surgery, Obstetrics and treatment of diseases generally, and placi the same on a more rational and scientific basis, and to impart information to the medical profession, and to grant and confer such honor* and degrees as are usually granted and conferred by reputable Medioa. Colleges; to issue diplomas in testimony of the same to all student* graduating from said school, under the seal of the corporation, with th<

"Article 4: - That the corporate powers of said College shall \* vested in a Board of Trustees to consist of a number not less than fi\> nor more than thirteen, and that the President of the Board shall U ex -officio President of the College; which board shall have perpetual succession, with powers from time to time to fill all vacancies in their body, and that A. T. Still, Harry M. Still, diaries E. Still, Blanch* Still and Herman T. Still shall be the first members of said Board, ami shall have the power to increase their number as hereinbefore specifier

"Article 5: - That said Board of Trustees and their successors for a period of fifty years, shall have full power and authority to appoin: a faculty to teach such sciences and arts as are usually taught in Medical Colleges, and in addition thereto, the science of Osteopathy: to fill vacancies in the Faculty, to remove the same, to declare the tenureand duties of all officers and teachers, and fix their compensation therefor; to provide a suitable building and furnish the same, and to fix tinamount of tuition to be charged students, the number and length o! terms students shall attend such College before graduating, the qualifications necessary to admit students into such College; to grant diplomas to all graduates who shall have passed an examination satisfactory to the Board of Trustees and Faculty, in each and every branci. required to be taught and studied in the curriculum of said Collegt and to make all by-laws necessary for carrying into effect the objectof this corporation not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Missouri and the Constitution thereof."

As will be noted, it is not organized as a joint stock company. as a commercial concern, but its charter is granted by the State of Missouri under the section of law which provides for the establishment of literary and scientific institutions, the provisions of which require that the needs and interests of the work which the corporation is chartered to perform shall always be paramount in the management of its business.

Up to October, 1805, not more than one class was enrolled a year In fact, the school was as vet considered secondary to the Infirmary. The completion of the new building increased the facilities for both treating and teaching. In 1895 over 30,000 treatments were given to <uiferers who came from nearly every state in the Union. In October. 1895. a class of twenty-seven was enrolled, and in January, 1896. another tss of twenty was enrolled. Of these two classes twenty-eight were from Missouri and the rest were from five other states. These classes recited to just one teacher in a classroom only 20 by 25, the recitations taking up only two hours a day.

The facilities which had been so much enlarged in January, 1895, sum came to be inadequate for both the school and the infirmary. In May, 1890. work was begun upon an addition to the building that more than doubled its capacity, but even before that was completed the rapidly increasing demands made it necessary to begin work on a second tii .n which trebled the size of the original edifice. The whole building very much as it stands today, was completed in January, 1897. It is 64 by 175 feet, four stories high, contains sixty rooms, aggregating about 30,000 square feet of floor space, and cost about $80,000.

The largely increased facilities were provided none too soon, for while the infirmary business had grown steadily, increasing at the rate of about one hundred per cent each year, the increase in the school attendance hail been phenomenal during the year 1890-97, having increased nearly five hundred per cent in that time. While in 1895-96 there were fifty students from six different states reciting two hours a day to one teacher in one room, there were in the following year t we hundred and eighty-three students representing twenty-four state* and two Canadian provinces, using nine large classrooms and engap: : with lectures and recitations occupying the entire day from eight a the morning to five in the afternoon.

For a long time it was felt that a hospital was needed for the accommodation of patients and for successful clinical work. The infirmary made no provision for the care of patients. Preparations were !>ezui< for meeting this need early in 1905, and on June 22, 1905, the conurstone of the hospital building was laid. This came as the closing event of the graduating exercises for the year. Appropriate addresses w*r< made by President John H. Kirk, Dr. J. A. Crow, Dr. Nettie Olds HaigL? and Dr. A. T. Still. Dr. Still laid the corner stone.

In the course of a few months the hospital was open fur patient-. It has an aseptic operating room, a clinical amphitheatre, a lyings ward, forty private rooms and two wards. It has a capacity of fifr. to seventy-five patients. The building is made of brick and heavy gray stone, is two stories high, and is 78 by 108 feet. Patients are bronzv from all parts of the country by osteopathic physicians.

In 1906 a training school for nurses was established, and youii^ women were given training and instruction in nursing. The course i« two years in length, and already sixteen have graduated as train-ii nurses. Across the street from the hospital is the nurses' cottage.

The Superintendents of the hospital have been Leone Dali"ti. Mary Walters. Miss Cust, Lulie Hall, Bessie Ammerman. Hena Ban> bert, and Mrs. Ada H. Nesbit.

In 1903 the institution established a sanitarium at St. Louis, ealle: the A. T. Still Sanitarium and Hospital. Dr. A. G. Hildreth wa> ij. charge of it at first, and then later Dr. W. D. Dobson managed it. It was given up during the year 1908.

Several schools of osteopathy have been consolidated with tho American School of Osteopathy within the last few years. AiuortE these schools that have been thus consolidated are: the Dr. S. S. Still College of Osteopathy of Des Moines, Iowa, with which had already been consolidated the Northern Institute of Osteopathy of Minneapolis. Minnesota, and the Northwestern College of Osteopathy of Fargu. N. D.; the Milwaukee Colege of Osteopathy of Milwaukee. Wis.: the Bolles Institute of Osteopathy (the Colorado College of Osteopathy* of Denver, Colo.; the Ohio College of Osteopathy of Chillicothe, Ohio: the Atlantic School of Osteopathy of Buffalo, N. Y.; and the Southern School of Osteopathy of Franklin, Ky. Graduates of these school were granted diplomas hy 1 he American School of Osteopathy. 3- h schools from which they had »;raduated were consolidated with M A. S. ( ).

Tin1 course oi study at lirst was very brief. It consisted Ijrsj of a study of anatomy, physiology, diagnosis and practice of u-Tcopatkl No set ainounl of time was required to graduate. A student wys pj| uated when he ii«»t through with his work. As a rule that toek jfl about a year. In 1S1H >-'.>" the course was added to. and two years i work of four li-rms <>f twenty weeks eacli were required of each S>. I for graduation. In I'MI.VOh the course was lengthened one BOon-Vi.

This change in the content of the courses from time to time i> v* by comparing that for 1807-98, when the school was just getting or. feet, and that for 1010-11.

In 1807-08 the cotirse of instruction extended over two year< as J was divided into four terms of five months each. The first term «'* devoted to Descriptive Anatomy, including Osteology, Syndesmolnr Myology, Aryology, and Neurology; Histology, including the de>ori> tion and recognition of the normal tissues of the body; the princip> of Chemistry and Physics. The second term included Descrip' Anatomy of the viscera, and organs of special sense; Regional Anatoiv with demonstrations on the cadaver; Didactic and Laboratory in Chemistry; Physiological Chemistry, Urinalysis, and Toxicol* r

Physiology of circulation, respiration, digestion, absorption, assimilation, secretion and excretion; Principles of Osteopathy. The third term included Regional Anatomy and Pathology, with demon - >t rations on the cadaver: Surface Anatomy, Advanced Physiology, Symptomatology and Pathology; Clinical Demonstrations in Osteopathy. The fourth term included Pathological Anatomy. Minor Sur- | .. (iynecology and Obstetrics; Clinical Practice in Osteopathy.

The course in 1910-11 covers a period of three years divided into Mxtevn or eighteen weeks each, with a fourth year of seven months. The first year includes Anatomy, Histology. General and Physical <"hcniistry and Physiology in the first term; and Anatomy, Bacteriology. Physiology. Organic and Physiological Chemistry, Histology and Embryology in the second term. The second year includes Principles of <Meopathy and Applied Anatomy, Descriptive Anatomy, Demonstrated Anatomy. Practice of Osteopathy. Osteopathic Mechanics. Pathology and Bacteriology. Hygiene, Public Health. Dietetics, and

Toxicology in the first term; and Demonstrated Anatomy, Practice -: Osteopathy, Principles of Osteopathy and Applied Anatomy. Physic..1 Diagnosis, Neurology and Spinal Pathology in the second term. Tt - third year includes Osteopathic Clinics, General Surgery, Eye. Ear Nose and Throat, Obstetrics, Clinical Practice, Skin and Venerea Diseases, and Pediatrics in the first term; and Osteopathic Clinics, Oi* erative Surgery, Gynecology, Clinical Practice, Physical Diagno-i- Ambulance and Emergency Work, Obstetrics and Laboratory Diagnosis in the second term. In the fourth year the work is an extension of that of the three previous years. Each student in this year is inquired to elect at least twenty hours of lectures besides laboratory work. As the course extends five months, there are 560 hours required of «*a >:', student in addition to lal>oratory work. Research must be made in some subject assigned by the Faculty and the results embodied in a thesis.

The strengthening of the course has meant a great increase in laboratory facilities. There are at present twelve different laboratory. These include two for Anatomy, three for Bacteriology and Pathology, one for Gynecology, one for Histology, one for Optical work, one for Physiology, one for Diagnosis, one for Hospital work, and one for private demonstration.

The tuition fees have varied from time to time. In 1893 they w« r<- $500 for males and $200 for females. The course was then one year in length. In 1897-98, when the course had been lengthened to two year-, they were $500 for the entire course lor both males and females: in 1899-1900 they were reduced to $400. In 1900-01 they were reduce! still further to $300, plus the dissection fees. In 1907-08, when th - course was lengthened from two to three years the tuition was increa>t<l to $425.

An attempt has been made to list all the members of the faculty from time to time, but there is no assurance that the list given bel«'t. includes all who have been on the regular faculty. An effort wnalso made to determine the length of service of each member. I»ur it is not likely that this hass been done successfully in every ca-« The faculty members in the order of their service and with u terms of their service as far as could be found, are as follows:

The very large classes of 1900 and 1901 were due to the fact tl.at there were graduated in those years a large number of students fr<>- the Columbia School of Osteopathy, the rival school of the A. S. " which was finally closed up in 1901. The drop in number in 190S due to the fact that only one class was graduated in that year.

If 1o the A. S. (). graduates there be added the 1181 graduate i the various schools that have been consolidated with the A. S. 0 . tfu total alumni will run up to 4,355.

The student body is very cosmopolitan. In it are to be founding and women from all parts of this country, and many from foreign laiui*. Many of them are college and university graduates. The last teny^:- have seen a marked increase in the enrollment of well prepared youns men and women in this institution. A high school education or it? equivalent is required for admission, but this has not been rigidly hiforced. Hence, there are to be found men and women, some of th-in quite mature in years, who have had no scholastic training to speak v side by side with men and women of high scholastic attainments. Tb legislation in many states which requires all candidates for licm* * practice osteopathy to have a certain amount of school education It- fore applying for a license, is having a direct effect on the character - : the student body here. Those with slight academic attainments are Incoming more and more a minority each year. In justice to the ca». however, it should be said that many of the best practitioners in n.» profession are men and women who have not had much in the way of scholastic training prior to their study of osteopathy.

The student organizations include clubs, fraternities, and Christian organizations. The oldest of them is perhaps the Atlas Club, a:; association of men for general social and professional interests. TV Axis Club is a similar organization for women. The two clubs ha\> maintained joint club rooms in the Dockery building off the norther* corner of the square for over ten years. Certain other clubs for similar purposes, but open to both men and women, have been organize! such as the Knights of Osteopathy and the Stillonians. The tirst u: these, however, is no longer in existence.

The Y. M. C. A. was organized in 1898, and the Y. \V. C. A. in 1899. Both organizations offer opportunities for co-operative Christian activity and fellowship. Association houses have been maintained by each of them, furnishing comfortable quarters for many of the members at inexpensive rates and also giving the associations definite miters for their activities.

The institution issues several regular publications. The first catalogue was not issued until 1897; in this were given the announcementfor 1897-98. Prior to that time the school made its announcementthrough the newspapers. In May, 1897, the Journal of Osteopathy was established. This is a monthly periodical and is devoted to tindissemination of news and items of general interest. It is to be tinguishcd from the Osteopathic Journal, which is a field journal forth* practitioner.

The student publications are the Bulletin, published by the AtLv and Axis (Tubs; The Stillonian, published monthly by the Stilloniau Society; the Alpha, by the Iota Tau Sigma fraternity; the Theta P-i Signet, by the Theta Psi fraternity; the Osteoblast, the annual pullished by the Junior class.

The students have been active in several forms of outdoor athletics, such as football, basketball and baseball. Tennis and golf havr been popular at times.

acquire legal recognition through the legislature, ami the first eflf»»rwas made in 181)"). A hill was passed by both houses providing annum other things that no person should practice osteopathy in the stai> unless he had received a diploma from a legally chartered or established school of osteopathy. Much to the-disappointnient of the friends o! osteopathy throughout the state, and especially in Kirksville, (ioverie»r Stone vetoed it within four hours after the adjournment of the Legislature. The principal objection was that osteopathy was a secret and should not be legalized.

Though the defeat of this bill was disappointing at the time. th» friends of osteopathy have since been glad that it was vetoed. The next bill was an improvement over the first one and served the profession better than the other would have done.

In 1897 another bill legalizing osteopathy was introduced in tin Legislature and after passing the House by a vote of 101 to 16, and tht Senate by 26 to 3, Oovernor Stephens, who had been benefited personally by osteopathic treatment, signed the bill. This bill provided in the first place that the system, method or science of treating diseaseof the human body, commonly called Osteopathy, and as taught and practiced by the American School of Osteopathy at Kirksville. Missouri, is not the practice of medicine and surgery within the ineanint: of Article L. Chapter 110 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri of lSS'J. and is not subject to the provisions of that article. It further provided that any person having a diploma regularly issued by the America! School of Osteopathy of Kirksville, Missouri, or any other legally chartered and regularly conducted school of Osteopathy, who shall hav< been in personal attendance as a student in such school for at least low terms of not less than five months each before graduation, shall be authorized to treat diseases of the human hodv according to such svsteiu. alter having filed the diploma for record with the county clerk of th»- county in which such person purposes to practice. It was further pn*- vided that any person who should practice or pretend to practice <>: use the system, method or science of Osteopathy in treating disease of the human body without having complied with the provisions of the act, should be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and be subject to a fin*

The credit for securing the passage of this bill belongs particularly to Dr. H. K. Patterson, now deceased, and Dr. A. O. Hildreth. (Governor Stephens was bitterly attacked by the medical profession of tin1 state for his approval of the bill, but he replied to his assailants that tht overwhelming vote in both houses showed him that the state was evi-

The rejoicing in Kirksville was great when the news came that the Governor had approved the bill. During the rejoicing Dr. Still's admirers literally forced him into a clothing store and presented him with a fine Prince Albert suit of clothes and a plug hat. They then got him into a photograph gallery and had his picture taken in this garb. As *i*»n as he <i<>t home he took ofT these "duds," and it is asserted that he never put them on again. His usual careless dress was much more to his liking than what his friends would have been pleased to have him wear.

The law of 1897 remained until 1903, when a bill was passed creating a State Hoard of Examination which should pass upon persons who were candidates to practice osteopathy. Only five votes were passed against this bill. Even the State Board of Medical Examiners recommended its passage, showing that the feeling of animosity against osteopathy was dying out and that active opposition was a thing of the isl in the state.

1. The State Board consists of five persons appointed by the Govemor of the State. Their terms are arranged so that the term of member expires each year. The Board elects its own President. Secretary and Treasurer. The Secretary receives a salary of not more thur SI, 500 per annum. The Board keeps a register of all applicants U* certificates, giving the name of the institutions from which they received diplomas and whether they were rejected or granted certificate

2. Persons desiring to practice osteopathy in the state must sccup a certificate from this Board. This certificate is made on the basis u: a statement made as to his study in a school of osteopathy and of ai; examination by the Board on anatomy, physiology, physiological chemistry, toxicology, osteopathic pathology, diagnosis, hygiene, obstetric* and gynecology, surgery, principles and practice of osteopathy, arc other subjects as the Board may require. Provision is made, however, for a discretionary dispensing with this examination in the ease of ai osteopathic physician who is a graduate of a reputable college of osUi>- pathy and who presents a certificate issued on examination by a boani of some other state.

Other provisions are included for registering the certificates ami for infractions of the law by persons who do not comply with its provisions.

In addition to the legal recognition given to osteopathy in Missouri, similar recognition has been given in some form or other in furtyone other states and territories in the Union. They are as follows:

The legal status given osteopathy in at least most of the states lamed above was secured very largely through the efforts of the A. S. ). Representatives of the institution have appeared before Legislates and Governors and explained the system and thus contributed o the success in securing favorable legislation.

The American Osteopathic Association was organized in April, 181+7. It has convened twice in Kirksville. The first time was in July, 1901. It was known at that time as the American Association for the \dvancement of Osteopathy, but the name was changed at the meeting it Kirksville in 1901. Representatives of eight schools of osteopathy re in attendance, and three other schools were admitted by the Association.

The twelfth annual meeting was held in Kirksville August 3-0, 1908. The particular reason for holding it in Kirksville at that time was in honor of Dr. Still's eightieth birthday. Osteopaths from all parts of the country came. Many came in special coaches, and the Chicago, Xew York and eastern delegations came in a special train of six coaches. About seven hundred members of the A. O. A. registered, but it was believed there were several hundred more osteopaths voting the convention who did not register.

The sessions of the convention were held under a big tent in what v.j> known then as the Chautauqua park on East Jefferson street benvei-ii Mulanix and Florence streets. The opening session was on Monday morning, August 'S, at which Dr. Still made the welcome ad- -lrcs< in his own characteristic style. Sessions were held every morniuc. afternoon and evening for three days. In addition to these general - - ion-. ;i number of surgical operations were performed at the A. S. ' * Hospital and some clinical demonstrations given. Sessions of the Missouri Valley Osteopathic Association and of the Missouri Osteopathic Association were also held during the A. O. A. convention.

The biggest day was Thursday, August 0. the "Old Doctor's" - ^litieth birthday. The citizens of Kirksville and the delegates to the A <>. A. joined in honoring the founder of osteopathy. At eight o'clock 'i;at morning a life-size portrait of Dr. Still was unveiled. The portrait \va< presented to the A. S. O., by the alumni of that institution. A »l*'cial program was rendered, in which addresses were made by Dr. -I A. DeTienne of Brooklyn, Dr. J. L. Holloway of Dallas, Dr. A. G. HiWlrcth of St. Louis, Dr. Ernest Sisson of Oakland, Dr. ('has. Hazard of Xew York, Dr. L. van H. Gerdine of Kirksville, and Dr. Geo. Riley of Xew York.

dresses were made bv Mayor Selby, Or. S. T. Lvne, and Dr. A. Hildreth. The second of the citizens' sessions was held in the afternoon two o'clock. This was preceded by the parade, which had tx»cn po poned from the morning because of the rain. At the head of the para were the Knights of Pythias in uniform, who were followed by the N inger Hand, and the Corporal Dix Post, G. A. R. After them came t Old Doctor's carriage which contained Dr. Still and his escort. I lowing the carriage came Or. Still's relatives and A. S. O. Faculi

Osteopathic state delegations, Normal School students, A. S. 0. dents, and citizens of Kirksville. The head of the parade reached tb park before the rear had left the A. S. O.

The program consisted of addresses by Mr. J. A. Cooley, Prof. B P. Gentry, Rev. F. W. Gee, and Prof. H. Clay Harvey. In the eveninj the program was continued with addresses by Dr. W. C. Templet** and President John R. Kirk. At the close of President Kirk's remark he presented Dr. Still a loving cup valued at 8250 from the citizen* ' Kirksville. This was the second one presented to him during the con vention.

For several years Kirksville had two schools of osteopathy, the Becond one being the Columbian School of Osteopathy which was established in 1897, under Dr. M. L. Ward. Dr. Ward had been Vice-President of the A. S. O. under the first charter of 1802, but for various reasons he had withdrawn from this institution, and believing that there was room for another infirmary and school of osteopathy in Kirksville, he interested several people of the town in the matter and succeeded in maintaining a rival institution for several years. Naturally the rivalry between the two schools was quite bitter, and all the more so since

Dr. M. L. Ward was born in Ohio on May 30, 1849. He came to Missouri in 1870. He claimed that he began his study along the lines )f osteopathy as early as 1862, when he was yet a youth, and that he requently secured results without understanding how he got them. He laimed that in 1889 he made for himself the discovery for which he lad been seeking. He was a member of the first graduating class in )r. Still's school of osteopathy in 1894, and graduated from the Medical ollege of Ohio on April 9, 1897, after having spent the three winters here following his graduation with Dr. Still.

The Columbian School of Osteopathy was chartered in October, 1897, and was incorporated by the Circuit Court of Adair County early in November. The officers of the incorporation were: Dr. M. L. Ward, President; H. J. Bailey, Vice-President; P. J. Rieger, Secretary; R. M. Brashear, Treasurer. The fifth member of the Board was J. M. McCall. The financial management was in the hands of Mr. Brashear, who is said to have furnished practically all the money needed to start the institution.

This school was opened on November 8, 1807, in the McGuire building; just off the northwest corner of the square. The enrollment on the first day was twenty-seven. The faculty was composed of Dr. M. L Ward, President; Dr. C. H. Thomas, Anatomy; Dr. H. B. Robi)ius. Chemistry; Dr. E. S. Quinn, Physiology. In a newspaper advertisement prior to the opening, Dr. Ward announced that "the school will be non-sectarian; hence Spiritualism, Methodism, Presbyterianism, Baptism, Catholicism or any other ism or politics will not be ineluded in the courses of study."

"The object of the Columbian School of Osteopathy is to bring forward some of the lost sciences that were known, practiced and applied l»y the ancients in Athens over 2,000 years ago. This period of the history of Athens was looked upon by all nations as the one center of education, healing, sciences and inventions. Masonry, architecture, and tempering of metals and many other things of like character gave it first place in the history of the world. During this, the Olympian age, the ancients had their annual games, such as wrestling, boxing, foot racing and various other sports, which frequently resulted in injuries, and dislocations. Readjustments were made, medicine and surgery were practiced by men who were known as 'bone setters.

"The true science of healing, considered in all its phases, consequently consists of osteopathy, surgery, and medicine. This science was practiced by Zeno, Epicurus, Epictetus, Catelles, and others about ninety-five years B. C. This is the science that is being brought forward by Dr. M. L. Ward, the founder of the great Columbian School of Osteopathy. It is claimed to be the only school of osteopathy giving instruction in medicine, surgery and mechanical manipulation. It is likewise the only institution requiring six terms to complete the full course in all departments."

of six months each in addition to the twenty months in osteopathy In other words, at the end of twenty months, the diploma was grantee to the student graduating in the full course of osteopathy. If the student wished to pursue the course of medicine, he could do so and at tin end of the three years he received a diploma recognizing him as a dintor of medicine.

The avowed object of the founder of the school was to conibitimedicine, surgery and mechanical manipulation so as to make osteopathy what he termed a true science. "True Osteopathy" was a favorite term with him.

Prior to the opening of the school work had begun on a building for it in the southeastern part of the town which, according to one newspaper, was called "Mount Brashear." The building was complete early in 1808 and was occupied at once. It was a very imposing thmstory brick structure, with a great white dome surmounting it. It \\a* arranged for both treating patients and giving instruction to student-. It cost about $30,000.

In January, 1900, Dr. Ward became the sole owner of the school and all its property, Mr. Brashear and the other stockholders retirinc. It seems that this arrangement was in accordance with the agreement* made when the school was begun in November. 1897.

The first graduating exercises were held in the grove adjacent to the school building on June 27, 1899. There were thirty-nine in the class. The second class of thirty-eight was graduated in February. 1900. A third class was graduated in June, 1900, but this was the l:rt. The school opened in the fall of 1900, but before the year was out. it was suspended, and the students were enrolled in the A. S. ().

Long drawn out litigation between Dr. Ward and Mr. Brashear over the property, ensued, terminating in the latter getting control of the same. For years the building has remained unoccupied, except when a club has occupied it temporarily.