I thought it would be nice to add a little chiropractic philosophy to everyone’s day by posting some words from the man himself, B.J. Palmer. This is a section of Chapter 1 in Volume XVIII, otherwise known as The Subluxation Specific-The Adjustment Specific.
“A slip on the sidewalk, in winter, is a SMALL thing. It happens to millions. A fall off a ladder, in summer, is a SMALL thing. This happens to millions. The slip or the fall subluxates an atlas or axis. That specific subluxation is a small thing. The atlas or axis produces pressure upon spinal cord, with its trillions of fibres. That pressure is a SMALL thing. This specific pressure produces interferences and reduces flow of life force. That decreased flow is a SMALL thing. That decreased quantity flow of mental impulse supply produces a specific dis-eased brain or body. THAT is a BIG thing to THAT person. Multiply THAT man by a thousand, and you control the physical and mental welfare of a city. Multiply THAT man by a million and you shape the physical and mental destiny of a state. Multiply THAT man by 120 million and you forecast and prophesy the mental and physical status of a nation.
So, the slip or the fall; the creation of an odontoid specific subluxation, consequent pressure, reduced flow of mental impulse and dis-ease IS BIG enough to control the thoughts and actions of a nation.
Now comes a man; and any one man is a SMALL thing. This man gives a specific adjustment upon the specific subluxation; and that adjustment is a SMALL thing. The adjustment replaces the odontoid specific back in normal alignment, and that is a SMALL thing. The adjusted subluxation releases pressure upon nerves; and that is a SMALL thing. The released pressure restores health to A man, and THAT is a BIG thing to THAT man. Multiply THAT man by a thousand men, and you step up the physical and mental welfare of a city. Multiply THAT man by a million, and you increase the efficiency of a state. Multiply THAT well man by 120 million, and you produce a healthy, wealthy, better race for posterity, in a nation.
Man is a SMALL thing, worlds considered. An axis vertebra is small, man considered. The odontoid process, on an axis, is small. An atlas is SMALL, man considered. The neural canal, in an atlas, is also SMALL. Yet, that axis odontoid process, small as it is; crowding in upon the atlas neural canal, small as it is, acts as a governor to the destiny of man’s thots and functions; for it, in normal position permits a free flow, or in subluxation interferes with a free flow of all that force with which man thinks and acts. Man lives when he CAN think and act. Man dies when he CEASES to create thot and perform motion. Man becomes sick when thot and function are below par. Therefore, the inter-magnum-atlas foramen or the odontoid process may be a SMALL thing, but it is the BIGGEST thing in man.
So, atlas or axis specific adjustment of the inter-magnum atlas foramen or odontoid specific subluxation, to release pressures upon nerves, to restore normal quantity impulse flow, to restore health IS BIG enough to rebuild the thoughts and actions of the world.”
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Do you know specifically what, if anything, B. J. Palmer had to do with radio stations WOC & WHO in Des Moines? I was born and raised in Grinnell in the 40′s and I remember listening to him on the radio and I faintly recall that he had some involvement in their beginnings.
Please shed some light if you can.
Wayne Olson
Chicago
Hi Wayne,
B.J. Palmer owned both radio stations. He bought WOC (Wonders Of Chiropractic) in 1922 and WHO (With Hands Only) in 1930. He also gave Ronald Reagan his first job as a sports broadcaster for WOC.
I hope that helps.
-Dr. Brandon
Interestingly enough, he first opened WOC on the Illinois side of the river. When he found out that there was no radio station located west of the Mississippi river, he moved its location to the BJ Palmer mansion where broadcasts were delivered.
Another interesting story about BJ’s radio station was just how far it reached. BJ had a big St. Bernard, named Big Ben. While he and Mabel were on a trip to Hawaii, BJ received a telegraph that Big Ben had died (supposedly of a heart attack, or better yet, ultimate failure to adapt!) while chasing a Poodle across the street. BJ promptly ended their vacation and went back to Davenport, where he had Big Ben stuffed and placed under the piano (apparently where BB could be found oft times). One popular radio show was “Hymns by Grace”. Grace had regularly played hymns each Sunday. She was used to Big Ben sitting under the piano as she played. One morning she noticed he had not moved. She was just ending her show when she uttered “I think he is dead.” She was of course referring to Big Ben, but the listeners interpreted this to mean BJ Palmer had suddenly died. Letters from around the world (as far as Germany) began pouring in — some offering condolences and others inquiring as to his supposed death. Those letters, known as the Big Ben Letters to this day are in the Palmer mansion. BJ, personally responded to each inquiry setting the record straight.
I was a campus guide at Palmer and could go on, but I won’t. I just love the chiropractic history!
Hey Dr. Yates,
It is nice to reminisce…thanks for taking me down memory lane about our time as “PCC guides.” I always enjoy hearing those tales of the old days.
We’ll need to chat again soon and catch up on things.
JB of Bentonville
For the record, WHO was already in existence when BJ bought it, so the “With Hands Only” reference is not what he intended by calling it that, since the station already had its call letters pre-BJ.
Dossa Dixon Evins, the inventor of the NCM, used his skills in electrical engineering to sync up the signals of WHO and WOC, giving BJ a more powerful broadcast signal and allowing programs to be brought to a wider audience. Contrary to popular belief, very few of these early DC’s were dumimes.