The Magic Tonsillectomy or Armstrong's Voodoo Science?

[Bob Prudhomme]

"The doctor named on the insurance application was a "Dr. Philben." His full name was Patrick Donald Philben and he was a doctor of osteopathy; a form of "healing" developed along lines of spiritualist philosophies and hands-on manipulation. In the early days it was closely associated with such pseudo-intellectual attempts to merge science and spiritualism as Theosophy. Drugs were not part of treatment, and surgery was regarded as a last resort. Lee's tonsillitis was treated along osteopathic lines which may have mimicked for instance, a faith healing session in which Marguerite honestly believed the tonsils had been removed. This also makes explicable the lack of hospital records confirming a tonsillectomy. One wonders if non-traditional medicine was introduced to Marguerite by her new husband. All records prior to her meeting Ekdahl show the use of traditional doctors."



From Wikipedia:

The scope of practice of osteopathic practitioners varies by country. In general, osteopaths trained outside of the U.S. are not physicians, and are limited in practice to non-invasive manual therapies,[SUP][4][/SUP] and may provide nutritional, postural, and other health advice. Conversely, the U.S. trains osteopathic physicians who practice the entire scope of modern medicine. To avoid confusion, the American Osteopathic Association recommends using the terms osteopathic physician (U.S.-trained only) and osteopathic medicine to distinguish individuals trained in osteopathic medicine in the United States from osteopaths trained in osteopathy, the restricted-scope form of practice outside of North America.

Thank you for at least having a go, Robert. Yes, indeed. Only in the US would this quackery gain you the official title of "Doctor".

But to get to heart of the matter, you need to go a bit deeper than wiki:

From: http://loyolauniversity.adam.com/content...&gid=20039

Osteopathy
WHAT IS IT?
Osteopathy was developed in the late 1800's by Dr. Andrew Still. He developed osteopathy based on the belief that displaced bones, nerves, and muscles are the cause of most health problems. A doctor of osteopathy (DO) is called an osteopath and believes that when the body's structure is corrected, its function will also improve.


The muscles and bones of the body support and protect our organs. If the muscles and joints are aligned and working properly, the rest of the body will be able to heal itself. Poor joint mobility and tense muscles can affect the brain, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, digestive system, heart, lungs, and other parts of the body.


When an osteopath finds a problem in the spine or joints, he will try to understand why the problem developed. The treatment will focus on two aspects: 1) correcting the weakness that led to the spinal problem and 2) directly working on the joints or muscles to restore its function and movement. Once the joint function has been restored, the blood and nerve supply will also improve and the body will heal itself.


In the early 1900's, osteopathy was quite different than Western medicine. Beginning in the 1940's, osteopaths began practicing more like Western medical doctors (MD's). Osteopaths are primary care doctors and are licensed in all states.


During your first visit to the DO, you will be asked many questions about your past and present health. The DO will examine and evaluate your posture, range of motion, skin and muscle tone, tenderness, and reflexes. Lab tests, x-rays, or other diagnostic procedures may be done. This visit may take 30 to 60 minutes and return visits may be 20 to 30 minutes.


DO's may use the following manipulation techniques:


Cranial manipulation: subtle and gentle pressure is applied to the skull.
Muscle energy: straining and releasing specific muscles to help them relax.
Functional and positional releases: putting you in a specific position to allow the muscles to relax and release spasms.
Gentle mobilization: moving a joint through its range of motion, gradually increasing the motion to free the restrictions.
Articulation: a quick thrust similar to chiropractic adjustment.
Soft tissue techniques: several techniques to remove restrictions in muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Osteopathy manipulation is usually very effective in treating back and joint pain, injuries, and headaches. These techniques may be helpful in the treatment of other problems, such as insomnia, depression, menstrual problems, or digestive complaints. Asthma, arthritis, high blood pressure, and heart disease may also be treated with manipulation.


A DO is trained to provide a full range of medical care. Ask what treatments your DO uses. The type of treatments will vary with each doctor. Some will only do manipulations while others will do manipulations and Western medicine treatments. Others will only do Western medicine treatments.

LHO had the appointment with "Dr" Philben on January 17, 1945 which was the decade in which osteopaths in the US started incorporating Western medicine. It is unknown whether Philben had incorporated Western medicine by then - or if he ever did. Indeed, as you can see above, some osteopaths even today, do not practice mainstream medical treatments. The chances are, that in the 1940s when some were branching into the mainstream, those in the South would be the last to do so, because their clientele was in the main, less educated, more superstitious, more religious, more gullible. Osteopaths in Texas usually became very wealthy.

Unlike his matoidectomy, there are zero medical records showing LHO ever had a tonsillectomy. That's because he never had one. Marguerite merely assumed that that is what Philben did. And I'm sure Philben would not have discouraged that notion.

You do not seem to comprehend that a doctor of osteopathy, in the United States, is given the title of doctor not because this form of treatment is recognized as good medicine but, rather, because an osteopath must be trained as a medical doctor.

You also make a number of totally groundless assumptions. Simply because LHO was seen by Dr. Philben in 1945 does nothing to prove or disprove whether or not he was a licenced medical doctor. And, despite his osteopathic beliefs, how do you know he did not regularly refer his patients for tonsillectomies?

Unless Margeurite Oswald believed LHO's tonsils were removed by magic, which I highly doubt, she more than likely believed LHO's tonsils had been removed, simply by the extreme discomfort her child would have been in for many days following the tonsillectomy.

Finally, if you are disturbed by the lack of medical records verifying LHO had received a tonsillectomy, how do you feel about all of the other "missing" material in the JFK case?