Brian Altonen, MPH, MS

COLLEGES OUTSIDE OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

A RECENT HISTORY OF NATUROPATHY-I.

(Based in large part on a review of Catalogues and Advertising Materials at the NCNM Library detailing the United States Naturopathic Schools in existence since 1950)

2/13/96

Brian L. Altonen, Department of Chemistry, Portland State University

Preface

This study is based in large part on a review of Catalogues and Advertising Materials at the NCNM Library detailing the United States Naturopathic Schools in existence since 1956.

      The following schools are covered in this section:

• THE MODERN HOME STUDY COURSE IN NATUROPATHY. BENEDICT LUST, N.D., D.C., D.O., M.D., Butler and Mount Dora, NJ, and New York, NY. (Advertising Pamphlet)  (1892-?)
• UNIVERSITY OF NATURAL HEALING ARTS. 1923. DENVER, COLORADO  (1923/1934-1955/56-?)
• THE SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE, BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS  (1951-52?)
• SANTA FE ACADEMY OF MASSAGE AND NATURAL HEALING, SANTA FE, NM.  (1953-Present?)
• dr. jay victor scherer’s academy of natural healing.  1981-1982.  New Mexico.  (1953-1979-?)
• Dr. John Christopher’s School of Natural Healing.  (?-1982-?).
• ONTARIO COLLEGE OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE, TORONTO, CANADA  (1978?-1983-Present)

THE MODERN HOME STUDY COURSE IN NATUROPATHY. BENEDICT LUST, N.D., D.C., D.O., M.D., Butler and Mount Dora, NJ, and New York, NY. (Advertising Pamphlet)

(1892-?)

YUNGBORN resort established 1892, in Butler, NJ.

MT. DORA, Orange County, [NJ?] resort established 1896.

New York City business addresses established 1896.

Addresses:
      General:  307-311 E. 12th Street, New York City, NY

Schools:

New York School of Massage

307-309 E. 12th Street, New York City, NY

Established 1896.

Training School for Physiotherapy,.

307-309 E. 12th Street, New York City, NY

Established 1896.

      Other:      “Life Culture Center,” and

                  “Original Health Food Store”

                  both at 343 Lexington Avenue, New York City.

      Trade Magazine: Nature’s Path, est. 1896.

Advertising:

“Regain Your Health with Nature’s Help!”

“Come to the Fountain-Head of Nature Cure in America.”

          “YUNG BORN

 Nature Cure Health resort

 Butler, New Jersey”

Coursework

•  
  • 100 lessons in Naturopathy.  $100.00.
  • Teachings listed [p. 15]:
  • Naturopathy
  • Hydropathy
  • Osteopathy
  • Electrotherapy
  • Massage
  • Spinal Manipulation
  • Short Wave Radiation
  • Colonic Therapy
  • Scientific Fasting & Dietetics

UNIVERSITY OF NATURAL HEALING ARTS. 1923. DENVER, COLORADO

(1923/1934-1955/56-?)

University of Natural healing Arts. 1923. Catalog 1955-56 (Thirty Third Year). 

College of Naturopathy

College of Physical Therapy

College of Chiropractic

Address:  1075 Logan Street, Denver 3, Colorado.

History:

Founded 1923.  Re-organized in 1934 to become a non-profit institution, “free from commercialism, profit, taxation, and individual control.”

The Chiropractic Profession of Colorado owns the charter, building and equipment.

Setting the Standards:

“In the past war, our students and graduates were practially all recognized leaders.  This is rather definite proof of the type of students attending here, as well as of their education, because no military recognition was given for Chiropractic training.  They proved themselves leaders of men because of their thinking ability and their ability to get the jobs done.” [p. 5]

Associate Member, NCA Council on Education.

THE SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE, BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS

(1951-52?)

Catalog:

The Southern College of Naturopathic Medicine.  Bulletin 1951-52. Brownsville, Texas.  (vi, 59pp,      5 1/2″ X 7″)

Establishment of the School:

“By arrangement, the Texas Southmost College is assisting the Southern College of Naturopathy in the furtherance of its educational aims by making the facilities of the Southernmost plant available until such time as the Southern College of Naturopathic Medicine can complete its own building and educational program.”  [vi]

Qualifications for Licensure:

Accredited and Approved by Council on Education of the Texas Naturopathic Physicians Association.

Application for Approval has been made to Council on Education of the American Naturopathic Association.

Definition:

      p. 1

                  “Main Causes of Ill Health”

The “Natural Laws”:

–lowered vitality

–abnormal composition of blood and lymph

–maladjustment of muscles, bones and ligaments

–accumulation of waste matter and poison in the system

–germs and bacteria that flourish in the body under toxic conditions

–disturbances caused by psychological, environmental, and hereditary influences.

Endnotes:

This catalog was produced as a specialty binding made for the use of the Southern College of Naturopathic Medicine.  Although the cover is an SCNM cover, the majority of the catalog lists classes provided by Texas Southmost College, with several hundred classes in various common community college coursework, such as courses covering the basic vocational skills in Business, Secretarial Work, Accounting, Education, Psychology, Fine Arts, Foreign Language, Home Economics, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Physical Education, Social Sciences, and English, Speech and Journalism skills.

The post-1952 history of this school is unknown by this researcher as of 2/14/96.

SANTA FE ACADEMY OF MASSAGE AND NATURAL HEALING, SANTA FE, NM.

(1953-Present?)

Santa Fe Academy of Massage and Natural Healing.  1979-1980 Catalog. vol. 24.  (24pp.)

Address:  1590 Canyon Road, Santa Fe, NM, 87501 

History

Founded 1953. 

Noted as “one of the oldest schools of its kind in the U.S.”  Provides knowledge pertaining to “health through massage, nutrition, and related holistic arts.” “[Its] students are taught to be extremely competent massage therapists.” 

Awards a 4 year N.D. degree approved by Council of Naturopathic Medical Education.

Legal History [p.4]:

Licensure is provided in Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Orgon, Vermont, Washington, and Washington, D.C.

Common Law-Based practice is allowed in Idaho, Kansas, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.

Allegal practice:

“Many of the states allow Naturopaths to practice allegally.  This means they can practice but without a license.”

The only state where it is illegal to practice naturopathy is Tennessee.

Tuition: $1800 per year.

dr. jay victor scherer’s academy of natural healing.  1981-1982.  New Mexico.

(1953-1979-?)

dr. jay victor scherer’s academy of natural healing.  1981-1982. [Massage School]  (Booklet, 13pp.)

Address:  135 Romero Street, Santa Fe, NM, 87501.

Motto:  “The Light of God never fails.”

History:

Founded 1953.  Reorganized as “a more focused wholistic training” in 1979. 

Philosophy:

“He feels many are ready to incorporate spiritual energies into their healing work.”

Teaches the student “the I AM teaching of devotion and channeling light, as well as his own naturopathic skills.”

Skills taught:

–Act in harmony with the body’s self-healing processes.

–Promote health through education and natural ways.

–Eliminate the basic causes of illness.

–Prepare students for a career as a Massage Therapist.

Training:

Follows the AMTA Guidelines:  Provides 1000 hours of classroom time and practice.  2300 tuition. 

Awards a diploma in Massage Therapy (Ms.T.)

Cost:  $2300 total tuition.

Dr. John Christopher’s School of Natural Healing.

(?-1982-?).

Dr. John Christopher’s School of Natural Healing. [Unlicensed, Personal Business of David Christopher, later with M.H., D.H. degrees (unofficial, non-college, unlicensed vocational school, offering M.H., D.H. degrees)].

Homestudy Course, lasting about 9 months.

5 instructional question-answer books.

Reading:

Dr. John Christopher. Cayenne.

Jethro Kloss. Herbal. 

Simplistic terminology and medical-pathological theory.

Uses Rote memorization-Reading method for home-study.

Teaching professional include published authors, and mostly businessmen selling drug wares.

Cost for home study and attending classes in Utah in Summer 1982, ca. $2500.

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE, TORONTO, CANADA

(1978?-1983-Present)

Catalog 

Ontario College of Naturopathic Medicine, 1991-92; with Calendar inserted for 1992-1993. 60 Berl Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M8Y 3C7.  

Address: 60 Berl Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M8Y 3C7

  Phone: 416-251-5261; FAX 416-251-5883

History

Formed beginning 1978 , by Ontario Naturopathic Association as an “Accelerated Undergraduate Program.”  Then, “the only college of naturopathy and drugless therapy in Canada.”  This school began official classes in the academic setting in September 1983 at Kichener, Ontario.  It later removed to 1263 Bay Street, Toronto, in September 1984; and again removed in July 1986 to Etobicoke, Ontario.

OCNM has a 4 year full time Undergraduate prgram for the N.D. degree, and a 2 year full time programs for those who qualified as having “advanced-standing” status.