Book excerpt: A comprehensive portrait of the osteopathic medical profession. Overcoming suspicion, ridicule, and outright opposition from the American Medical Association, the osteopathic medical profession today serves the health needs of more than thirty million Americans. Osteopathic medicine is now the fastest-growing segment of the US physician and surgeon population. In The DOs, historian Norman Gevitz chronicles the development of this controversial medical movement from its nineteenth-century origins in the American Midwest to the present day. He describes the philosophy and practice of osteopathy, as well as the impact of osteopathic medicine on health care. In print continuously since 1982, The DOs has now been thoroughly updated and expanded. From the theories underlying the use of spinal manipulation developed by osteopathy's founder, Andrew Taylor Still, Gevitz traces the movement's early success, despite attacks from the orthodox medical community. He also recounts the efforts of osteopathic medical colleges to achieve parity with institutions granting MD degrees and looks at the continuing effort by osteopathic physicians and surgeons to achieve greater recognition and visibility. Bringing additional light to the philosophical origins and practices of the osteopathic movement, as well as the historic debates about which degree to offer its graduates, this volume • chronicles the challenges the profession has faced in the early decades of the twenty-first century • addresses recent challenges to the osteopathic medical profession • explores efforts at preserving osteopathy's autonomy and distinctiveness • offers a new perspective on the future of osteopathic medicine Based on an extensive examination and evaluation of primary sources, as well as countless interviews with individuals both inside and outside osteopathic medicine, The DOs is the definitive history of the osteopathic medical profession.