The Early History of Chiropractic: Historical Perspective on the Life and Philosophy of D.D. Palmer

This thesis works to examine the underpinnings of D.D. Palmer's philosophical beliefs by providing a snapshot of the historical moment of healthcare in which he lived. This analysis is used as a reference point to examine his chiropractic philosophy, its incompatibility with philosophy of science, and its effects on the early history of the chiropractic profession. The central questions that this work attempts to answer are: What were the historical and philosophical circumstances that influenced D.D. Palmer's ideas and his creation of chiropractic? And how did D.D. Palmer's ideas influence the evolution of the chiropractic profession and lay the groundwork for the issues that chiropractic faces today?