The more things change, the more they stay the same. This is an excerpt from Volume XXVIII – Answers by B.J. Palmer. 57 years later and we’re still asking these questions.
The Connecticut Yankee (Pat Sproviero, Editor, February, 1952) contains article titled “Yes! We Are Our Brother’s Keeper” by “J. J. Nugent, D.C.” In that article, Dr. F. Lorne Wheaton, writing Dr. James N. Firth, said:
“Both the record of myself as well as that of Dr. Nugent in the State of Connecticut IN OPPOSING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PRESENT ACT BACK IN 1927—and previous to that time, bears witness to this fact.”
“THIS fact” referred to the Basic Science Bill of Connecticut.
In a letter by Vinton Logan, D.C., addressed to the Connecticut Chiropractic Ass’n, addressed to Pat Sproviero, in reply to above article, Dr. Logan said:
“Many of our friends who have written us about the article expressed wonderment at Nugent’s espousal and defense of the Basic Science program. It should here be noted that Dr. Nugent, in spite of the quoted statement of another in the article, to the effect that Dr. Nugent opposed the establishment of the 1927 Basic Science Law, IS THE FATHER OF THAT LAW. At a meeting of the Missouri State Chiropractic Ass’n, in Kansas City, Missouri, in October 1950, Dr. Nugent in discussing, among other things, Basic Science Laws and particularly the Connecticut law, stated, and I quote him, ‘In that statement before Congress, I said I HAD WRITTEN THE BASIC SCIENCE LAW IN CONNECTICUT, and I did. I wrote it. I wrote it on my own little typewriter . . . YES, I WROTE THAT BASIC SCIENCE BILL, AND I WISH I HAD HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO WRITE EVERY OTHER BASIC SCIENCE BILL, too.”
WHICH OF THESE STATEMENTS IS TRUTH—one somebody else said somebody else said, or that which comes direct out of the horse’s mouth? Reason seems plainly evident.
Here are further substantiations. Minutes taken at the Ohio Chiropractic PHYSICIAN’S Ass’n Joint Meeting of the OSCS and OCPA Legislative Committees, Cleveland Hotel, January 20, 1952, JOHN NUGENT PRESIDING.
Dr. Nugent made the following statement, according to the Minutes:
“Step # 2. That both Committees agree that the definition of ‘Chiropractic’ shall be of such character that ALL TYPES OF chiropractic shall be permitted in practice.
“Heat, light, air, water and electricity ARE acceptable since they are SUPPLEMENTAL TO chiropractic, but the NCA does not want people practicing medicine, and has given warning to schools not to teach these things OR THEY WILL LOSE THEIR ACCREDITATION. The definition of Chiropractic practice SHALL BE LOOSE ENOUGH to permit the INCLUSION of OTHER DRUGLESS METHODS such as Mechanotherapy, Hydrotherapy, Electrotherapy, etc.”
“Dr. Nugent explained that since most of the schools NOW teach the use of light, heat, etc., we SHOULD BE ABLE to use it and include it in our definition. Our definition should be broad enough to protect all NOW
using these MODALITIES.”“The whole profession in our state has been held back, BUT WE HAVE TO COMPROMISE in order to gain unity. A correction to our definition: the term ‘Physiotherapedic Methods’ is to be inserted in place of ‘light, heat, water, etc.’ as it was formerly given.”
Dr. Nugent aids, endorses, supports, and endeavors to drive ChiropracTIC to be less than it is and to drive medicine IN and make it more than it deserves. This is what HE calls “broad enough.” By “broadening” it to INCLUDE medical methods, he NARROWS Chiropractic by dilution.
Why? The reason seems plainly evident!
Dr. Nugent further said:
“Of Lincoln and National College graduates, 54% are successful. . . . 80% SHOULD pass, but at present ONLY 54% DO.”
ONE HALF FAIL TO PASS BASIC SCIENCE BOARDS, yet Dr. Nugent aids, abets, endorses, and supports them.
Why? The reason is plainly evident!
NOW is the time when every sincere and honest Chiropractor WILL come to the defense of the Chiropractic principle and practice and will refuse to endorse, support, or aid ANYTHING this Chiropractic menace endorses, supports, or aids; and will protect vertebral subluxation, vertebral adjustment, by hand only, only backbone Chiropractic.
WHEN will our Chiropractic profession wake up to this Chiropractic menace?
