osteopathy
(ɒstɪˈɒpəθɪ)
[f. osteo- + Gr. πάθος feeling, suffering; in sense 2, after homœopathy, allopathy, etc.: see -pathy.]
1. Disease or affection of the bones.
| 1857 Mayne Expos. Lex., Osteopathia, term for an affection of the bones, osteopathy. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VI. 547 During this period the osteopathies failed to attract the universal attention..so rapidly given to the arthropathies. |
2. A theory of disease and method of cure founded on the assumption that deformation of some part of the skeleton and consequent interference with the adjacent nerves and blood-vessels are the cause of most diseases. Hence osteopath (ˈɒstɪəʊpæθ), one who practises osteopathy; osteoˈpathic a.; osteoˈpathically adv.; osteˈopathist, a believer in or practiser of osteopathy.
| 1897 Columbus (Ohio) Disp. 26 Mar., The [Iowa] house to-day passed the..medical practice act..driving out osteopaths, faith healers, massage doctors and all others professing to heal, unless they pass examination the same as physicians. 1899 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 11 Mar. 616 Dr. A. T. Still..was, in 1889, delivered of a new system, the name of which was called ‘osteopathy’... The following [are] extracts from official publications of the sect..‘The osteopath..treats the patient through loose clothing..He does not rub or pat, but manipulates osteopathically’. Ibid., From the point of view of the ‘osteopathic’ practitioner. Ibid. 15 July 168 The method of treatment..used by all osteopathists. |