NEWS
Chiropractic History: A trip to the Fountainhead By: Dr Kenneth Young DC, DACBR, MAppSc (Medical Imaging)
A few years ago I needed to do some research at Palmer College of Chiropractic, in their Special Collections and Archives, part of the David D. Palmer Health Sciences Library at the Fountainhead of chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. The middle of the USA is often referred to as ‘flyover country.’ This is a term of denigration, meaning that no civilised person would want to go there, you just fly over it on the way from coast to coast. There is a lot of open space in the middle of America, a lot of farmland. But that has its own, desolate beauty, if you slow down to appreciate it. In addition, like ore from that earth, if you put in
all manner of items has only partially survived. Some artefacts and an enlarged photo only hint at what it must have been like. AB-so-LUTE-ly! (Fig 5) One of BJ’s favourite words, so much so that he had it printed on a button and mounted on a rock. I believe that it was formerly in Little Bit o’ Heaven. The courtyard of the mansion still holds some of the art and artefacts that BJ collected, along with modern benches for contemplation. (Figs 6 and 7) Carved vertebrae. (Fig 8) Everyone has heard of BJ’s collection of spines, but I had never known about the soap carvings of vertebrae. I wonder if we should bring this into the modern curricula? I’ll have to have a chat with our anatomist…
a bit of effort to look, you might find some gems. Palmer in Davenport is one.
These photos only represent a small number of the interesting things to
Of course, being a chiropractor, I’m biased, but even TripAdvisor thinks so,
discover at Palmer Davenport. I recommend a visit here to anyone. Don’t
listing it on the Davenport page of their website just under Northpark Mall and
just fly over; stop by.
above Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra.
A note about the title. DD Palmer would be very angry at me for the title
Not every chiropractor has the opportunity to go to Palmer, hence, this
of this article. In the modern chiropractic lexicon, ‘Fountainhead’ has
mini photo essay. One of my favourite areas is where they have the
come to mean the site of the original Palmer School of Chiropractic in
Big Heads. (Fig. 1) It is a suitably substantial tribute to the first three
Davenport. But this meaning was a point of contention between DD and
generations of chiropractic rulers. It is a male dynasty, but if you would like
BJ. DD claimed that BJ purloined the term that DD had originated, and that
more information on women throughout the history of chiropractic, start
‘Fountainhead’ meant DD’s actual head, not a school. ‘I am the Fountain
here: https://library.palmer.edu/c.php?g=751041&p=5379552, or search
Head of Chiropractic; it originated with me; it was my ingenious brain
‘women in chiropractic.’
which discovered its first principle; I was its source; I gave it birth; to me all
Epigrams! (Fig. 2) The walls inside the school have some of BJ’s epigrams, as well as those of other notable figures in chiropractic history.
Chiropractors trace their Chiropractic lineage.’ (The Chiropractor’s Adjuster, p.819) Aside from the overuse of semi-colons, wow, huh?
They are printed in a font that BJ liked. I like it, too; it evokes the Art Deco
Kenneth Young is the curator for the Chiropractic History Special Collection
style of early-mid 20th century America.
at Murdoch University. It can be seen here: https://www.murdoch.edu.
Commemorative plaque from the Iowa State Historical Society and the Chiropractic Centennial Foundation, 1995. (Fig 3) It tells a little of the history of the campus.
au/library/resources-collections/special-collections/chiropractic-historycollection, or search ‘special collections’ on the main university website, www.murdoch.edu.au. If you would like to comment on this article, or for further information on the Special Collection, or to discuss making a
Little Bit o’ Heaven. (Fig 4) BJ’s retreat from the pressures of inventing new
donation of money or items, please contact Ken at k.young@murdoch.
directions for chiropractic, running a school, writing, travel, and collecting
edu.au or on (08) 9360 7370.
(Fig 1) The Big Heads of chiropractic: Dave on the left, DD in the middle, and BJ on the right, with Mabel separated further right. The inscription under the men reads: ‘The Foundation of Chiropractic.’ Under Mabel it reads: ‘First Lady of Chiropractic.’
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CA NEWS MARCH 2019
(Fig 2) Epigram in a corridor lined with lockers and classrooms.
