A Manual of Osteopathy – with the Application of Physical Culture, Baths and Diet by Eduard W Goetz
Very schematic volume, with the aim of spreading the osteopathic application techniques to everybody, even to those lacking any sort of health training.
Publisher: Sconosciuto, Cincinnati, Ohio
Year of publication: 1900
Number of pages: 185
In the preface to the volume Goets affirms to have intentionally avoided any scientific vocabulary to make the reading of the book accessible to everyone. He declares that osteopathy as founded by Dr Still is just at the beginning, it is not a secret or a supernatural technique and it is applicable by anyone.
After a brief explanation in which the author enunciates the fundamental principles of osteopathy, the book continues with the listing of a golden rule (do not take drugs during this treatment) and 15 other rules to observe when treating the patients (eg, do not use the tip of the fingers, do not cause pain to the patient, do not treat the spine below the twelfth vertebra in pregnant women or during their menstrual cycle, do not prolong the treatment for more than 20 minutes).
Less than 20 pages describe anatomy, physiology, afferent and efferent nerves.
A series of tables and photographs (pages 30-75) with short explanatory captions briefly describe the maneuvers applicable by the osteopath.
The pathologies are grouped into categories (pathologies of the head, throat, heart, lungs, abdomen, skin and women’s conditions). For each disorder a brief description is given, followed by its causes, symptoms, and advice on the suggested treatment, diet and exercises.
The book closes with a few chapters on diet, hot and cold baths and physical activity. The last two pages contain a list of the nervous centers to focus on based on the pathology to be treated.
There is news of a second edition with copyright of 1905, published in 1908 by Nature’s Cure, Cincinnati (Ohio), and of a third and fourth edition, written together with Charles Feckel Conrad, published in 1919 in New York by University Book Co.
Strengths: the volume contains an initial index and an analytical index for easy reference. The schematic exposition is very clear.
Weaknesses: this volume is amongst those condemned by the AOA for undermining the science of osteopathy.
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