Practical visions; a book of inspiration

Front matter

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Preface

Many books have been written along inspirational lines. It would be quite impossible to cover new ground, so to speak, as there is supposedly " nothing new under the sun. "

The favorite subjects of some of the greatest writers and speakers in history have been inspirational in character.

The title of this book indicates that we intend to discuss practical phases.

In the study of anatomy in our colleges we consider the human body along the lines of regional anatomy, sectional anatomy, surgical anatomy, and so forth. There is another phase, of vital importance to all practitioners of the therapeutic art, and that is applied anatomy.

We hear much about visions today. The slogan, printed in various magazines, "Where There Is No Vision, The People Perish," is pretty well impressed upon the minds of the majority of people. We have found that it is all well and good to have visions and dreams, and " raise our vibrations" to a point where we feel that we are inspired, and can dream dreams that will materialize ; but how many of our dreams really come true, and how many can we use from a practical standpoint in our everyday practice?

This book is directed to graduates of osteopathic colleges; especially to thoss graduates who have the osteopathic concept; who have studied osteopathy intending to practice it according to the teachings of the great founder, Dr. A. T. Still.

We do not wish, in this book, to consider those who have chosen other than osteopathic methods of treating the human body. In writing of our experience, which covers a period of more than twenty-two years, we mean to present things just as we have worked them out in the office and as we have written them in the various journals.

While this book is written for graduates of osteopathy who are entering practice, we trust that there will be points of interest to those who have been practicing for some years. We have also included a few chapter that will be of interest to those who are students; likewise, a chapter to those contemplating the study of osteopathy.

We do not wish to say anything that is not practical in nature, or which cannot be carried out in the office of any osteopathic physician, if he is practicing osteopathy as taught by Dr. Still.

We will leave it to others to write on various methods in the healing art, outside of the specific lesion idea. We consider that this idea is the basic principle in osteopathy, and that it will be as long as osteopathy is practiced as a scientific method of treating human ailments, according to the teachings of the Founder of our Science.

No man is as great as osteopathy, and no man will ever be able to work out all of the principles and practice that is included in the osteopathic concept.

After practicing over twenty-two years, I realize that I have just laid the foundation stone for the real work upon which to build a greater osteopathic structure, and I hope that some day my vision regarding osteopathy, will be much greater from a practical standpoint, than it is at the present time.

There always will be among us those who have visions greater than our own. Doctor Still had a vision, away back in the time when the therapeutic art was confined almost entirely to the older school, and we possibly never will appreciate the great difficulties he encountered in launching a

Preface 7

new school, absolutely opposed in every way to the older school. Yet he stood firm and never weakened in his great effort to present to the world a scientific truth that will live throughout the ages. Doctor Still will go down in history as the greatest original and forcible thinker ever known in therapeutics.

Osteopathy was given to him in the form of a vision. This is a well-known fact, and had it not been of a practical nature, it never could have worked out and changed the ideas of a thinking world. His vision was practical, from a physician's standpoint, or he never could have adapted it to the clinic room, bedside, and other places where human beings suffer. It has stood the test of time, and countless numbers have been relieved by the therapeutic measures he worked out.

This vision was of such a practical nature that it brought conviction in his own mind, and apparently it lingered in his mind in the form of an outline that stood before him day after day, like a program that requires fulfilling in order to be complete and staisfactory.

A vision of this kind could only be realized and appreciated by a great mind. Possibly others had part of the same vision at different times, but only the great mentality of Dr. Still could comprehend the practical vision that was given him. Only a man with great force, tremendous conviction, iron will, and undaunted determination, could work out a program, under such unusual adversity, carrying his ideas forward to a point of satisfactory completion before being called Home.

I dare say that no person ever lived who did not have a vision of some kind, either in the way of a dream or an impression that, at least, stimulated greater thought and activity in some manner. Possibly not a year goes by that we do not have some form of impression, or dream, or vision, but of what use are these impressions, or dreams, or visions, unless we take hold of them and build upon them a structure that will last throughout the ages?

No two human brains were ever created exactly alike, any more than any two faces. No one mind can comprehend everything. No one mind can handle the visions that are given to it, in their entirety. A great many of these are simply air castles. Apparently, they seem very good, but when thoroughly thought over, they seem either impracticable or too great a task to work out.

Men in this world are selected to do great things, according to the visions that they have. Who could fill the place of a president of the United States without having a broad vision that includes at least a desire to preside over the many states of the Union in a satisfactory manner?

What man could carry out the work of a great statesman, unless he had a practical vision which would lead him on to build a structure that would be international in character?

Men are selected for great tasks according to their ability, and the visions back of this ability.

When we want a tunnel put under the Hudson river, possibly we find but one man who has sufficient vision to carry out the idea.

When we wish a canal dug across the isthmus, we select a man who has a vision sufficiently broad to do that work in a satisfactory manner.

When great dams are to be built, when tunnels are to be bored through the mountains, men are selected who have visions sufficiently strong to enable them to convince those who have charge of the matter that they are capable in every respect of carrying out the vision or dream.

Preface 9

Thus in all forms of work, in all the various braoches of science, music, art, we have men with vision.

Only a master can produce an oil painting that will live through the ages and command respect, attention, and a place in a great art salon.

The greatest generals that ever lived were men who had practical visions that enabled them to carry out their great schemes and bring success to the armies over which they had command.

We can train our minds to a point where we may receive impressions and put them to good use. The majority of human beings are timid. They do not appreciate the fact that they have, within their skulls, a varying number of ounces of cerebral matter, the potentiality of which can never be estimated, the capabilities of which will never be understood, and the number of superstructures that could be built upon the impressions received by which, can never be fathomed by the human mind

No man has ever used all of his brain, or any great portion of it, poseibly due to lack of training, possibly from illness, or some physical handicap; but, if we only understood the capabilities of the human mind, and could find instructors sufficiently capable to train that mind and bring out all of the phases that are so necessary in order to build, from impressions and visions, there would be no limit to what we might accomplish in every instance.

F. P. Millard.

Sept. 4th, 1922.

Contents

Chapter Page

I. Selecting a Life's Work 13

II. Building the Framework 19

Chapter I Selecting A Life's Work

CHAPTER I.

SELECTING A LIFE'S WORK

Exactly a quarter of a century ago, Dr. C. C. Reid, now one of the best known osteopaths in the world, wrote me, at Denver, Colorado, where I had gone to study medicine, that I should personally investigate osteopathy at once, and that he was at Kirksville, Mo., studying osteopathy instead of medicine, as he had formerly planned, and that everything was lovely and the goose hung high.

At that time I was only in my teens, and very keen on becoming a physician. I had made up my mind to study medicine, to specialize in surgery, and practice surgery the rest of my life.

Somehow or other, the letter seemed so full of inspiration, and he seemed so deeply convinced that he had found the better way of treating human ailments, that the expression used in his letter, " everything is lovely and the goose hangs high," thrilled me through and through.

Well do I remember the first osteopathic treatment that I ever saw given. Also, I remember well the first patient that I ever talked to, who had been cured by osteopathy, after going about on crutches for quite a long time and considered incurable.

Investigation regarding the new science stimulated me to such an extent that I realized the absolute truth of the statement made by the Old Doctor, that the body is a machine, and that if we would make any headway in handling diseases we must consider the body from a mechanical standpoint and treat accordingly.

There seemed to be so much logic about osteopathy that I could not persuade myself to continue the study of medicine. It seemed as if the new school had presented something that was tangible, real, scientific, and out of which some day the entire world would be benefited directly or indirectly, through the teachings of the Founder of this new school, called osteopathy.

Well do I remember the first copies of the Journal of Osteopathy, the first osteopathic publication that was ever printed; and in my library today I believe I prize the early copies of the Journal of Osteopathy more than any other osteopathic literature that I have in my possession. There seemed to be something about those early journals that stimulated and thrilled one to such an extent that he felt as if the real truth had been given to the people after all these centuries of therapeutic study.

When a young man decides his course in life, the subject that he is going to study, the profession that he has chosen; the next thing he thinks about is what particular branch or phase of the subject will interest him most, and what part of the work seems most practical and most adapted to use throughout his career. Every young man wants to make the most of life; his great desire is to select some calling or profession into which he can put his whole soul and do his best work.

It was a shock to me to have to give up my early dreams, in which I pictured myself in white robes, operating in some hospital in a large city; but, on looking back over the twenty-five years since I first started the study of osteopathy, I have no regret, and were I to choose my special work again along the healing line, I would walk boldly out and enter some one of the colleges of osteopathy, and with enthusiasm go through the range of subjects and secure all the information that I could; then go out, proud to be called a disciple of Dr. A. T. Still.

Selecting a Life's Work 17

Strange it is how some one comes into our lives and changes our entire program. This is a common occurrence, and if we are diverted in the right direction, and the vision is a practical one, we follow our work throughout life with the greatest of pleasure, and thrill with the thought that we have found the work best adapted to our needs and temperament.

I have ever been glad that Dr. C. C. Reid came to my assistance at the time when I most needed guidance.

Chapter II Building The Framework

CHAPTER II.

BUILDING THE FRAMEWORK

The thrill of entering college the first day lingers, usually, throughout a man's life. Many are the thoughts that run through the mind. In the first place, you have chosen your calling. In the second place, you feel that you can put your whole soul into the work. In the third place, your great desire is to build a structure that will last at least as long as you live.

With what eagerness you listen to the first lectures on a subject that seems of such vast importance to you as a beginner, and later, as you look back, is still of vast importance, in that it was the foundation of the work upon which you accomplished things in later life.

In every phase of life, a successful man is one who follows a schedule; also one who has system, and one who does not neglect each day's tasks. This is the secret of a successful man.

It is absolutely necessary to lay each stone well, true to line, and well cemented, if you wish your structure to last for any length of time.

The majority of students who enter an osteopathic college are sincere, and honestly desire to secure all the information that can possibly be had, in order that they will feel proficient and have confidence when they go out into the field to practice. Now this cannot be done unless faithful work is daily done, and unless a schedule is followed, and no work slighted.

In every school, almost invariably, the teacher takes more interest in those who are anxious to learn, and who are keen to know all that there is to be known, as nearly as is possible, about the subject that is under discussion.

The gratification that a student has on examination day in knowing that he has written his papers well, is beyond description. He has the satisfaction of knowing that he has applied himself during the term; that he has followed closely the teachings of the professors; and that he has not neglected, in any way, any chapter of the subject. There is a satisfaction, at the close of the college career, when one receives his diploma and feels within himself that he has honestly pursued his studies, and tried in every way to acquire all of the knowledge that is humanly possible during his college course.

After entering the field, one has that common feeling that he has just started in life's great study. If a student is at all inclined to be studious, which he should be, he will never stop studying, as the longer one practices the healing art, the broader the field becomes. There is no such thing as being a specialist on every subject in therapeutics. There is sufficient study on the central nervous system to confine a man's research work and clinic work to an entire lifetime and then only in a small way will he feel that he is master of the situation.

It is a question whether we ever will know all of the reflexes, or understand entirely the autonomic nervous system, or, in any way comprehend in its entirety the relation between the various nerve centers and the tracts that convey messages to all of the organs and parts of the body in such perfect harmony and unison through a peculiar co-ordination of the central nerve cells that exist in the brain and spinal cord.

But it is quite possible for a student to develop his mind to an extent where he will feel that he can diagnose to a certain degree the various conditions found in the patient under observation.

Building the Framework 23

It is also a question whether any known physician at the present time, or during the past ages, has ever been able to make more than fifty percent of correct diagnoses in the average chronic cases. It is practically humanly impossible for a physician to know the condition of the tissues within the body throughout its entirety. Objective and subjective symptoms portray to us certain existing conditions, but who knows when a cancer begins, or who knows the beginning even of locomotor ataxia?

The student of today is better fitted than the one of yesterday, to comprehend the manifestations of the human body, as portrayed in clinical pictures written out by the authors of the best text books.

This need not discourage the student, as we have many examples of wonderful physicians, who have conducted practices throughout their lives on a very high order; those who have written text books; who are specialists; who have been benefactors of the human race; and who can picture the symptoms, clinically, in a manner that seems almost marvelous.

It is possible for a sincere student so to familiarize himself with physiology, applied anatomy, chemistry, and all of the various subjects taught in our great colleges today, that he will understand the human body sufficiently to give relief in the majority of instances. There are certain cases that baffle the greatest of physicians. There are certain conditions found in certain cases which may, although possibly idiosyncrasies, outwit the skill of any human physician, and the disease progresses, according to the clinic picture, through the various stages, unto an untimely end.

It is impossible for any physician to handle every form of disease. We must, therefore, content ourselves with doing the greatest amount of good that we possibly can, and securing the greatest possible knowledge in every phase of therapeutics, and leave it to the coming generations to point the way to a greater field of diagnosis, in which, possibly, some day a physician may be able to discern the beginning of diseases, or prodromal symptoms that are impossible of detection at the present time. A certain stage of a disease is usually reached before the physician makes the diagnosis, pronouncing the case as one afflicted with such and such a trouble. If this were not true, why do men under constant care of skilled physicians go down with typhoid, or some other disease, and, while apparently in perfect health, go through certain stages of a disease that may lead to death or chronic conditions that no one dreamed of? What physician can say that a certain man will have locomotor ataxia, or even paralysis agitans? Or what physician would dare say, in all certainty, that a certain case would have an embolus that would block the circulation and put the patient into bed?

We have no way of telling what will happen to the human organism, and no physician can say with sincerity that he can cure any trouble; even the scratch of a pin, or an ingrown toe nail. Blood poison often overtakes the patient when least expected, and sometimes in spite of the greatest of skill the patient dies of tetanus.

It is well for a student to keep in mind that after all, no matter how much knowledge he may attain, it is not humanly possible, in all instances, to restore his patient, even with the greatest of care and skill. There is a certain element of uncertainty in any case, and it should serve as a hint that no matter what case we have under our care, it deserves the very best skill that we can possibly give it.

Many a case that seems trifling to a surgeon, proves in time to be most serious, or even fatal.

Building the Framework 25

There is no such thing as a disease or condition being trifling in the human body. The greatest skill that we can muster, backed up by the greatest amount of study and research that we can possibly accomplish, should be centered upon every case that comes under our observation. This will make a physician successful and appreciated by the community in which he practices, more, possibly, than any other one point. Sincerity and close attention to each case spells success for any physician who has been a student and a careful observer of conditions in the human body.

Every physician should be a research worker, a constant student, a close observer, and a conscientious worker, throughout his life as a practitioner.

Chapter III Honoring Your Profession

CHAPTER III.

HONORING YOUR PROFESSION

When Sir Herbert Barker started out as a bone setter, he was not only unrecognized officially, but was referred to in a very slighting manner on many occasions.

Today, the knighting of this wonderful natural worker has done more to make members of the art of drugless healing proud that they belong to that craft, than anything that has happened since Dr. Still's day.

Years ago we naturally expected, when putting up our signs as osteopaths, that we would be referred to oftentimes as "irregulars," " quacks," and even " charlatans" and " mountebanks. " In fact, I think I have been called all of these, as well as a great many more terms and phrases, like "pow-wow doctor," "mesmerizer," "magnetic healer, " and so forth.

People become confused regarding the principles of a new science or school of healing, and osteopathy, along with some of the newer schools, has often been ridiculed in a very slighting manner by those who really did not take the pains to go into the matter and see for themselves. Many times in early days we found it most embarrassing, in doing pioneer work, to be almost openly slurred and slighted by the older school and its followers.

About the best thing I ever heard, regarding ethics of one of the "irregulars" or "quack doctors," was when one of our osteopaths went out into a new field in the early days, and, being socially inclined and a good dancer, attended a social function, at which two of the old school physicians were present. Fortunately, or unfortunately, as the case may be, the osteopath was introduced to a medic, and it

30 Pkactical Visions

happened at a psychological moment, when a great many were standing around and listening. When the introduction took place, the medic did not know that the person to whom he was being introduced was an osteopath, and when the osteopath's name was mentioned, as being an osteopath, the medic straightened up, cleared his throat, and said: "I meet you as a gentleman, but not as a physician." The osteopath, being a quick-witted fellow, replied immediately, "Dr. Small, I meet you as a physician, but not as a gentleman." I have never forgotten that little episode, and they say that it caused consternation on the floor, but that afterward, when the two met, they were quite good friends.

Now, osteopathy is so well known that it is not referred to in the same manner as it was in early days, before it was known to have the merit that it really possesses. Yet even last week we were treating a young girl, who is engaged to a druggist. She had torticollis — acute stage — and with a specific adjustment, lasting not more than two minutes, we were able to give her immediate relief. When she reached home, some one asked her regarding her neck and how she got rid of her stiff muscle condition so readily. She replied that she had just been to the osteopath. The friend asked, "Have you gone crazy too?"

So, we see, even at the present time, some people refer to osteopathy as not being quite right, but my point of contention is this: any man doing honest work can make himself of such service to the community that eventually he will be honored by so doing, and people will come to respect him for his work and the science he represents. We should be reasonable enough not to be offended by ill-considered remarks on the part of those not acquainted with our work. Forge ahead; relieve suffering humanity; carry

Honoring Your Profession 31

on free clinics; and make the people realize the real worth of osteopathy. If every osteopathic physician will do this, we will eventually have the respect of all people.

Why should not any man feel that he is doing noble work when he is straightening the spines of children, restoring withered extremities, taking away headaches, St. Vitus' Dance, and all forms of ailments that children have? Likewise, why should any one ever feel as if he were not following a noble science when he is bringing back to health those who have been given up by physicians of the older school; when each year in our practice we prevent a great number of surgical operations and relieve people from suffering, who have had chronic ailments for many years?

Dr. A. T. Still was one of the most persecuted and ridiculed men that has ever lived, pointed to with a finger of scorn, indicating softening of the cerebral tissue; but he had a great purpose. He had a vision to carry out and materialize, and he knew that in time the entire world would refer to osteopathy as being the most natural method of restoration known in the therapeutic world.

The whole world loves a good sport. It also likes a man who will fight for right to the last ditch.

A man can make himself great in any position. We have noble examples of men who have honored the places they occupy, so to speak, and apparently they are kings in their own domains. I have known of newsboys who had built up such tremendous patronage, and had conducted their business so successfully and on such honest lines, that they were highly respected as real business men in their own cities. We have one in Toronto. I knew of one in Denver, who has become quite well-to-do. I remember well years ago when he stood on a certain corner, and although in that city for recuperative purposes, he overcame all obstacles and made himself so honored and respected that I have known business men to go two blocks out of their way just to buy a paper from him or to speak to him.

How any osteopath could ever leave his work because he felt that some people did not consider him as " regular" as the old school physician, I never could understand. If such an osteopath would have his mind more on research work and the delving into subjects that he might investigate, along anatomical and physiological lines, he would certainly have no chance to reflect upon the trite or small sayings of some one who, either iD a jocular or cynical manner, attempted to ridicule or belittle a science that will last through all the ages.

There is no field more fascinating than that of therapeutics. There are no books more interesting than those found on the shelves of a medical library. Any physiology is more interesting than the best novel; and books on symptomatology and diagnosis are more readily appreciated by a true student than the best stories by the greatest of detectives. After all, a physician should be a detective, always on the alert for signs, symptoms and tracings. By auscultation, one can probe into the mysteries of the human body and not only determine the present status, but can, through the "process of deduction," almost read the life history of his patient. By going over the spinal column, the well-posted osteopath can tell you almost the year in which a certain accident happened, and almost the manner in which his patient was twisted or thrown in order to produce the certain lesion that has registered itself upon the spinal column. From facial lineations, it is very easy for a physician to tell almost with accuracy the peculiar organic disturbances found within his patient's body; and from the nature of the headaches, according to the different areas of

Honoring Your Profession 33

the head, it is quite possible in the majority of instances, to state whether the headache is from stomach trouble, or pelvic organic disturbances.

The study of the reflexes alone could easily absorb ten years in any osteopath's life, and the careful study of any organ will take another ten years, and, in some instances, a lifetime.

As osteopaths, we have access to all books published in the world. We have an opportunity to do research work to the fullest extent. We must never imagine that everything has been learned in the way of diagnosis, or treatment, or that the last word in technic has been given. Until we have solved all physiological and pathological problems concerning normality and perversion, we should not cease our tireless toil, amid inspiring surroundings, which accompany eager students trying to solve the mysteries of the human body created by the Great Physician, who alone knows the significance of cells, tissues and systemic disturbances.

There are so many phases in the therapeutic world, in which students, as all practitioners should be, can delve into the mysteries regarding secretions, circulatory disturbances, nerve instability, hereditary diatheses, along with idiosyncrasies, and central lesion manifestations, that we have simply to select some one line of work, and follow up logically, reasonings that will lead to better diagnoses, technic, and treatment.