NATUROPATHY: DEFINITIONS AND MOTTOS
Page – [1]
1956-1957
Introductory Page [p. 3]
NATUROPATHY
“Naturopathy is a complete system of therapeutics, embracing the use of nature’s agencies, forces, processes and products. Naturopathy is the science and art of applied healing forces, emphasizing the application of prophylactic, diagnostic and physiological therapeusis (sic); thus enabling the physician to administer to human trauma or disease by applying any one or more of the psychological, physiological, mechanical, nutritional, manual, phyto-therapeutic and animal substances.
“Naturopathy assists the human body in eliminating the cause of disease by giving such care as may be needed in a specific case, to the end that the vital powers and physical organism can continue to live, or regain normal function.
“Furthermore, the philosophy teaches that nature is a sensitive agent and that she possesses the faculty of making her own cures; when this is flagging, she welcomes assistance, but only by her own forces. Naturopathic philosophy also instructs that one should use only such preparations and doses that act in harmony–altering perversed functions–cleansing the body of its catabolic waste–and promoting the anabolic processes of the body.
“In its modern concept, naturopathic medicine includes every physiological method and agency, which has proved worthy throughout the centuries and accepts any new discovery which conforms to naturopathic theory and philosophy.”
Introductory Text [appears also in 1960-61. 1962-63; 1962-63. 1963-64; 1965-66. 1967-68:
“Naturopathic Medicine is a complete system of therapeutics, embracing the use of nature’s agencies, forces, processes and products. It is the science and art of applied healing forces, emphasizing the application of prophylactic, diagnostic and physiological therapeusis (sic); thus enabling the physician to administer to human trauma or disease by applying any one or more of the physiological, psychological, mechanical, nutritional, manual, phyto-therapeutic and animal substances.
“The naturopathic physician assists the human body in eliminating the cause if disease by giving such care as may be needed in a specific case to the end that the vital powers and physical organism can continue living or regain normal function.
“The philosophy of naturopathic medicine is based on the premise that nature is a sensitive agent possessing the faculty of making her own cures; and that, when the natural recuperative powers are flagging, the obstacles in the way of normal functioning should be removed by the naturopathic physician and natural forces should be applied to restore the recuperative faculties.
“The philosophy of naturopathic medicine also instructs that one should use only such preparations and doses that act in harmony with the body economy in order to alter perverse functions, cleanse the body of its catabolic wastes and promote the anabolic processes of the body.
“In its modern concept, naturopathic medicine includes every physiological method and agency which has proved worthy throughout the centuries and accepts any new discovery or development which conforms to its theory and philosophy.”
1975-76 NOTES
NATUROPATHY AS A PROFESSION (p. 2)
“It is not the intent of this catalog to present the philosophical concepts of the Naturopathic profession. However, it is the intent of this catalog to enlighten the prospective student on the benefits and servies offered by the Naturopathic profession and the National College of Naturopathic Medicine.
“If the prospective student is interested in people, those who are troubled and sick, he will find Naturopathy a science and art which can help them. In so doing he will find a profession which renders to him great satisfaction and an opportunity for self expression.
“The science of Naturopathy is one of many in the healing arts. It is defined by the United States Department of Labor in its Dictionary of Occupational Titles as:
“Doctor, Naturopathic, a healer: Diagnoses and treats patients to stimulate and restore natural bodily process and functioning: a system of practice that employes physcial, mechanical, chemical, and psychological methods: utilizes dietetics, exercise, manipulations, chemical substances anturally found or produced in living bodies, and healing properties of air, light water, heat, and electricity.
“Provides care of bodily finctions, processes or traumas, and treats nervous or muscular tension, abnormalities of tissues, organs, muscles, nerves, joints, bones and skin pressure on nerves, blood vessels and lymphatics: and assists patients in making adjustments on a mental and emotional nature.
“Naturopathy excludes the use of major surgery, X-ray, and radium for therapeutic purposes, and the use of drugs with the exception of those substances which are assimilable, contain elements or compounds which are components of body tissues, and are useable by body process for the maintenance of life.”
“In its modern day concept Naturopathic Medicine includes any physiological method which has been demonstrated to be clinically effective and conforms to the Naturopathic philosophy.”
“As the student enters college he must do so with a fixed purpose to attain all the knowledge which Naturopathy has to offer him.
“The decision to become a Naturopathic Physician is a difficult one. As one enters practice he assumes the responsibility for human life in health and disease. With dignity he must render a responsible service to the community in which he practices.”
1977-78
THE COLLEGE ORGANIZATION (p. 10)
“The National College of Naturopathic Medicine was established in 1956 as a nonprofit organization designed to educate doctors for the Naturopathic Profession. It was established in conformity with the standards of the Council of Education, House of Delegates, of the National Association of Naturopathic Physicians. and other like foreign and provincial Naturopathic educational councils.”
“The college is administered by a Board of Directors elected by licensed Naturopaths from the various states and provinces. No board member receives any remuneration for services rendered to the college in this capacity. This is in accordance with the charter and by-laws ofthe National College of Naturopathic Medicine. The President of N.C.N.M. may act as Ex-Officio member of all committees formed by the Board of Directors.”
1978 NOTES
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT (p. 7)
“What an exciting time to be a part of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine!
“It’s been said that no army on Earth is as powerful as an idea whose time has come. Naturopathic medicine is such an idea, and now is the time.
“We’ve struggled for years to keep the spark of naturopathic medicine alive, and now the torch of vis medicatrix naturae burns brightly, lighting the path to tomorrow’s health care.
“1978 marks the beginning of a new era for NCNM — a period of rapid change and growth, enabling us to satisfy the ever-increasing demand for physicains trained in preventative medicine and natural therapeutics.
“It takes a special kind of person to meet the challanges of naturopathic education and practice–one who is dedicated to the service of others through healing and health education, remembering always that he or she is merely a channel for the Healing power of Nature. That is the kind of student we hope will find a place at NCNM.
“The new struggle is really just beginning. I sincerely hope that everyone who reads this Bulletin will find both information and inspiration. Please consider ways in which you can contribute to the natural health care movement. It means better health for all!
Yours in health,
JOHN B. BASTYR, N.D.”
NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE [definition]
“Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of healing–a philosophy, science, art, and practice which seeks to promote health through education and the rational use of natural agents. As a separate profession, naturopathic medciine in America traces its origins to Dr. Benedict Lust. Late in the nineteenth century, Lust came to the United States from Germany to practice and teach the hydrotherapy (“water-cure”) techniques popularized by Sebastian Kneipp in Europe. A committee of Kneipp practitoners met in 1900 and determined that the practice should be broadened to incorporate all natural methods of healing, including such things as botanical medicines, homeopathy, nutritional therapy, medical electricity, psychology, and the emerging manipulative therapies. They called their profession “Naturopathy,” a term first used by Dr. John H. Scheel, a German homeopath. The American School of Naturopathy in New York City, founded by Benedict Lust, graduated it first class in 1902.”
“Although the name “naturopathic is of relatively recent origin, the philosophical basis and many of the methods of naturopathic medicine are ancient. The modern naturopathic physician is a true inventor of the Hippocratic tradition in medicine.”
Philosophy (p. 8-9)
“The human body possess tremendous power to heal itself through mechanisms of homeostasis–restoring balance in structure and function and adapting to environmental changes. This vital force, the vis medicatrix naturae, is the foundation of naturopathic philosophy and practice. The naturopathic physician uses those therapeutic substances and techniques which act in harmony with the body’s self-healing processes and avoids treatments which are designed to counteract or supervene them. Ideally, naturopathic methods are applied as a means of stimulating and enhancing this “healing power of nature.”
“Naturopathic medicine is a wholistic approach to health–it is medicine for people, not for disease. The Myriad conditions called diseases, each a different point of imbalance on the health spectrum, affect a whole person–body, mind, and spirit–not simply an isolated organ or system. Each person responds in unique ways to his or her environment; each has individual strengths, weaknesses, and needs. In treating the whole person, the naturopathic physician searches for causes at many levels and attempts to eliminate the fundamental cause of illness, not simply to remove symptoms. The ultimate control of one’s level of health resides in the individual. The naturopathic physician endeavors to stimulate the body’s inherent recuperative powers and assist them by showing the patient how to remove obstacles to their expression.”
Practice (p. 10)
“The naturopathic practitioner is trained as a general practitioner able to provide a wide range of individual, family, and community health services to persons of all ages. He or she is specifically trained to assist in all pahses of obstetrical care for natural childbirth at home.”
Naturopathic medicine integrates into a single profession all healing methods which are compatible with its philosophy. These therapeutic tools may be calssified into four broad categories which are outline below with some examples. This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of natural therapeutics.
Physical
hygiene
all methods of physiotherapy, including heat and cold, light, water, ultrasound and electricity.
manipulation of joints and soft tissues
massage
therapeutic and remedial exercises
minor surgery
Neurological
spinal manipulation
acupuncture and acupressure
reflexology and pain control
Psychological
counseling
hypnotherapy
biofeedback and autogenic training
Biochemical
corrective nutrition including dietary supplements
vitamins, hormones, enzymes, glandular extracts and hormones
botanical medicines
homeotherapeutics
“The scope of practice and methods employed varies widely among naturopathic physicians. Naturopathic medicine is not bound by a built-in orthodoxy–it is characterized by a healthy individuality and a freedom to explore old and new methods of diagnosis, prevention and treatment. The distinctibve feature of naturopathic practice is not so much what is done as why it is done. This can be appreciated by throughly understanding the philosophical basis of naturopathic medicine.” [p. 11]
(History of NCNM) (p. 12-13)
“The National College of Naturopathic Medicine was founded in 1956 in Portland, Oregon as an independent non-profit institution devoted to the training of naturopathic physicians. The college held classes in Portland until 1960 when it moved to Seattle, Washington, maintaining an extension division in Portland. The continued survival of NCNM was due largely to the sacrific of a small group of dedicated physicains who served as teachers, administrators, and trustees during these early years of the college’s growth.”
“Recognizing a growing public awareness of the need to re-evaluate conventional health care approaches and an increased demand for qualified naturopathic physicians, NCNM initiated its present phase of expansion in 1973. The teaching of basic science curriculum was transferred to Wichita, Kansas, and the first class full-time students was admitted to a completely new four year program. In 1975, the clinical sciences program returned to Portland to receive the third-year students who began their study in Kansas. Since then the teaching and patient care facilities of the College have been continuously expanded in the Postal Building, 510 SW Third Avenue, Portland.”
“In 1978 NCNM accepted first-year students to a new basic science program at the Portland Campus. This marks the return of a complete four-year program to Portland.”
“The College is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the licensed naturopathic physciains of the United States and Canada. No Director receives any remuneration for services rendered to the College in this capacity.”
“The Portland Branch is located in the Postal Building, an historical landmark at 510 S.W. Third Avenue, Portland, Oregon. This building houses the NCNM classrooms and administrative offices as well as the patient care facilities of the College’s teaching clinic, The Portland Naturopathic Clinic. The College will be moving to a new campus in the Portland area by September 1980. Students may attend the Portland Branch of NCNM for all four years of the N.D. program.” [p. 12]
“The Wichita Branch is located on the campus of Kansas Newman College, 3100 McCormick Avenue, Wichita, Kansas. Kansas Newman is a fully accredited liberal arts college which has contracted with NCNM to provide teaching personnel and facilities for a portion of the professional level basic science courses. Other naturopathic courses at this campus are taught by faculty of NCNM. Students may attend the Wichita Branch of NCNM for the first two years only. [p. 13]
Brian Altonen, MPH, MS 