Influenza
The effectiveness of Chiropractic care on
patients during the great influenza epidemic (pandemic) of
1917-18 helped promote the popularity of chiropractic in
the US. Excerpts from the article below by Christopher Kent,
DC Chiropractic and infectious disease – an historical
perspective www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/tcj/2003/apr/apr2003kent.htm
discusses the flu epidemic:
One example where chiropractic care
provided a beacon of light was the 1917-18 influenza epidemic,
which brought death and fear to many Americans. It has been
estimated that 20 million died throughout the world, including
about 500,000 Americans. Walter Rhodes [1] provides fascinating
information about the profession during those years. A chiropractic
pioneer wrote, "I was about to go out of business when the flu
epidemic came -- but when it was over, I was firmly established
in practice." The results were spectacular.
Rhodes reported
that in Davenport, Iowa, medical doctors treated 93,590 patients
with 6,116 deaths -- a loss of one patient out of every 15.
Chiropractors at the Palmer School of Chiropractic adjusted
1,635 cases, with only one death. Outside Davenport, chiropractors
in Iowa cared for 4,735 cases with only six deaths -- one
out of 866.
During the same epidemic, in Oklahoma, out of 3,490
flu patients under chiropractic care, there were only seven
deaths. Furthermore, chiropractors were called in 233 cases
given up as lost after medical treatment, and reportedly "saved
all but 25."
The unnamed authors of the 1925 book, "Chiropractic
Statistics," undertook a more comprehensive survey.
[2] This text is a compilation of the responses of practicing
chiropractors to a questionnaire. The report covers 99,976
cases reported by 412 chiropractors in 110 specific conditions.
A sampling follows:
Gonorrhea: 408 cases involving 136 chiropractors
were reported. 341 cases showed complete recovery or very
decided improvement. 66 cases showed little or no improvement.
There was one fatality. The percentage of recoveries stated
was 83.6%.
Influenza: Reports covering 4,193 cases by 213 chiropractors
were provided. 4,104 showed complete recovery. 79 patients
showed little or no improvement, and 10 fatalities were reported.
The percentage of recoveries cited was 99.4%.
Measles: 121 chiropractors
reported on 673 cases. 665 cases showed complete recovery or "very decided" improvement.
Seven showed little or no improvement. One fatality was reported.
The percentage of recoveries reported was 98.8%.
Scarlet Fever:
There were 149 cases involving 60 chiropractors. 147 were reported
as completely recovered. Two showed little or no improvement.
There were no fatalities. The percentage of recoveries was
said to be 98.7%
Smallpox: 45 chiropractors attended 101 cases.
100 showed complete recovery. One was referred to another practitioner.
There were no fatalities.
Chiropractic texts also addressed
strategies for adjusting and managing patients with infectious
conditions. "Chiropractic
Practice -- Volume 1 -- Infectious Diseases" [3] discusses
adjusting techniques and case management for conditions including
measles, mumps, chickenpox, typhoid fever, meningitis, malarial
fever, whooping cough, infantile paralysis and tuberculosis.
REFERENCES
1. Rhodes WR: "The Official History of Chiropractic
in Texas." Texas Chiropractic Association. Austin, TX.
1978.
2. "Chiropractic Statistics." The Chiropractic
Research and Review Service. Burton Shields Press. Indianapolis,
IN. 1925.
3. Wells BF, Janse J: "Chiropractic Practice. Volume
1. Infectious Diseases." National College of Chiropractic.
Chicago, IL. 1942.
Copyright 2004 Koren Publications, Inc. & Tedd
Koren, D.C.