At still autobiography
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Editor’s note: We are exploring the legacy and history of the profession as part of the AOA’s celebration observing 150 years of osteopathic medicine through June 2025.
This month, the osteopathic medical profession celebrates the 150th anniversary of A.T. Still, DO, MD, first “[flinging] the banner of osteopathy to the breeze” (p. 94) on June 22, 1874. Having worked for the AOA for nearly three years, I felt that now was a great opportunity (if not a bit overdue) for myself to read Dr. Still’s autobiography, and so, to join in on the celebration, I picked up a copy of his book, first published in 1897 and later revised in 1908.
The first half of Dr. Still’s book focuses on his early life and the journey that led to him establishing osteopathic medicine. In the last 200 pages or so, Dr. Still takes readers on a deep dive into his philosophies of medicine and the human body.
In the latter half of the book, Dr. Still also shares some of his speeches made to the first students of the American School of Osteopathy, now A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM).
Dr. Still was very passionate about his work, and his passion really shines through in the second half of the book. DOs, osteopathic medical students and those who enjoy ph
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Autobiography of Andrew Taylor Still
Dr. Still was a contemporary of Mark Twain and his folksy style of authorship of his autobiography is reminiscent of Twains. Additionally, Dr. Still's father was both a physician and a Methodist Minister and some of the style of "fire and brimstone" preaching is interwoven within Dr. Still's recounting of his life's experiences.
Part of the fascination that a reader experiences in Dr. Still's story is that many of the challenges he experienced in starting the profession we continue to experience today. He also includes some of his personal stories that led him down the path of "re-discovering" Osteopathy. He looks at the lessons he learned in Osteopathy from his experiences as universal "truths" because one can experience them with their own senses. From a logical standpoint this means that to deny his experiences means that one is senseless.
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