The Dawn of Osteopathic Medicine: An Imagined Debate at Baker University

As we approach the 150th anniversary of a pivotal moment in medical history, I want to reflect on the bold vision of Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, the founder of osteopathic medicine (previously known as osteopathy). It was in June 1874 that Dr. Still asked to present his revolutionary ideas to skeptical colleagues at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas. He was refused. In the weeks that followed, criticism grew, and he was forced to leave his home. These events marked the beginning of a journey that would eventually lead to the establishment of osteopathic medicine as a respected field of medicine.

Despite facing ridicule and rejection from his peers, Dr. Still's commitment to the principles of osteopathic medicine laid the foundation for future advancements in holistic healthcare. What was rejected in 1874 has become mainstream and highly desirable among patients and students today.

The following script (created with assistance from AI) imagines a historic debate that never happened, highlighting the challenges and resistance Dr. Still encountered as he championed a new approach to healing. As we commemorate this milestone, we honor the perseverance and pioneering spirit that has shaped modern osteopathic medicine and helped to create the DO.

Title: The Dawn of Osteopathic Medicine: An Imagined Debate at Baker University

Characters:

Dr. Andrew Taylor Still (ATS)

Dr. Samuel Carter (SC)

Dr. Jonathan Reed (JR)

Dr. Emily Bennett (EB)

Setting:

A large lecture hall at Baker University, Baldwin City, KS, 1874. Dr. Still, a founder of Baker University, stands at the front addressing his colleagues who are seated in rows. His hope is to open a new medical school that will teach the principles he has developed. Their faces are a mix of curiosity and skepticism.

Script:

ATS: Esteemed colleagues, thank you for gathering today. I stand before you not just as a physician, but as a man who has witnessed the failures of conventional medicine firsthand. I lost my first wife to childbirth, three of my children to spinal meningitis and another child to pneumonia. And in my time as a Civil War doctor, I’ve seen the grim and grisly outcomes some of our treatments have on patients. We must discuss a new path—osteopathic medicine.

SC: Dr. Still, we've heard of your new ideas. Manipulating muscles and bones to cure diseases? It sounds far-fetched. Where's the evidence behind it?

JR: Yes, where is the evidence? You developed these treatments on your own. Our treatments are based on years of medical practice and tradition. Bloodletting, purgatives, surgery and drugs have been our mainstays. How can manual manipulation replace these?

ATS: I understand your position but ask you both to consider the outcomes we see with mainstay treatments. Is there evidence that they are truly effective? How many patients have suffered under these so-called remedies? Osteopathic medicine seeks to treat the root cause of illness by ensuring the body's structure is aligned and functioning properly.

EB: Dr. Still, you claim the body can heal itself, but can you provide an example where osteopathic medicine has succeeded where conventional medicine has failed?

ATS: Certainly, Dr. Bennett. Take the case of a young boy with severe asthma. Conventional treatments did little to alleviate his condition. Through osteopathic manipulation, we corrected misalignments in his spine, allowing his lungs to function more effectively. His symptoms improved significantly, without the use of harsh drugs. And that’s not all. I have treated countless patients with conditions ranging from headaches to digestive issues, all with remarkable success. Our bodies are interconnected systems. By focusing on the structural integrity of the body, we support its natural healing processes.

JR: So, you're suggesting that by simply adjusting bones and muscles, we can cure diseases? What about infections and fevers? Will osteopathic manipulation resolve those on its own?

ATS: Infections and fevers do require specific treatments, and traditional methods are important to utilize in such cases, but we must not rely upon practices that make the patient worse. Consider how a well-aligned body can bolster the immune system, making it more resilient to such ailments. Osteopathic medicine does not reject conventional medicine outright but seeks to improve it by enhancing the body's natural defenses. I am committed to building upon this foundation with careful observation and thorough study. Together, we can pioneer a more holistic approach to medicine.

SC: This is a radical shift, Dr. Still, and your enthusiasm is commendable, but I fear you are asking us to abandon proven methods for what many will see as mere quackery.

EB: I’m afraid Dr. Carter is right. The medical community is not ready for such a drastic shift without substantial evidence.

ATS: I understand your concerns, but I ask you to consider the potential benefits for our patients. Will you not join me in this pursuit of a better way?

JR: I think it’s clear, Dr. Still, that your ideas are not ready for the rigorous standards of our profession.  

EB: I’m sorry, Dr. Still. I cannot support this without more proof.

SC: Good luck with your bone-bending, Dr. Still. Let us know when you have real evidence. There will not be a new medical school in Baldwin City that teaches these 'principles' to future doctors!

ATS: I see. I had hoped for open minds, but I will continue my work. Time will show the value of osteopathic medicine.

Dr. Still exits the room. His vision of a new medical paradigm remains unaccepted, for now.

Despite the rejection and ridicule Dr. Andrew Taylor Still faced in 1874, his persistence and dedication to osteopathic medicine eventually bore fruit. In 1892, the American School of Osteopathy opened its doors in Kirksville, Missouri, marking the formal beginning of osteopathic medical education. The first graduating class consisted of just 21 students, but the principles of osteopathic medicine began to spread and gain acceptance.

Today, osteopathic medicine has grown remarkably, and we can confidently state that it has impacted holistic, preventive and primary care in the United States and around the world. There are now 41 osteopathic medical schools operating in 66 locations across 35 states.

From a humble start with a single college, osteopathic medical schools now educate more than 9,000 students annually, representing one in four medical students in the United States. This exponential growth reflects the enduring value and effectiveness of osteopathic principles in modern healthcare.

As we can see in these numbers, Dr. Still’s vision has not only survived but thrived. He described an approach to practicing medicine that diverged from the mainstream—an approach that focused on helping every patient achieve their fullest health potential.

It is an uncommon thing for a human to affect the world, but this man from rural America has managed to have such an impact. His legacy continues to shape the future of healthcare, validating his once-mocked belief in the body's ability to heal itself.

We are part of his legacy and have the same opportunity to change the world.