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Before 1870, medicine in the United States was completely unregulated. The lack of regulation and the limited effectiveness of 19th century regular medicine encouraged the development of multiple competing medical sects during the century. The three largest medical sects were regulars(traditional physicians), homeopaths, and eclectics. Even though these three sects were the most prominent, numerous other medical systems were created and survived on the margins. Eclecticism, osteopathy, chiropractic medicine, and hydrotherapy are just a few of the medical sects born during this era of United States history. At the very end of the 19th Century, a new system called naturopathy was created by Benedict and Louisa Stroebel Lust. Unlike many of the 19th Century medical systems created, naturopathy has persevered to this day. Naturopathic healing was founded and based on number of influences including botanics, hydrotherapy, eclecticism, temperance and vegetarianism.
John Hopkins University press has published a new book by Susan E. Cayleff about the history of naturopathic healing entitled <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1421419033/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1421419033&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=cca3095a2c9ae902342f3af1f4cf34c9 Nature's Path: A History of Naturopathic Healing in America]</i>. Her book is a comprehensive account of both the origins of the naturopathy and examination of the controversial views by held naturopathic practitioners such as anti-vivisection, anti-vaccination, and the dangers of processed foods, pharmaceuticals and environmental toxins. Interestingly, women played a role not just in the creation of naturopathy, but were critical to its development and survival into 21st century. Cayleff's book is an intriguing addition to the medical and social history of the United States.
Susan E. Cayleff is a professor in the Department of Women's Studies at San Diego State University. She has written <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0877228590/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0877228590&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=3cbee3aa8f8c42723903f48763ee72ee Wash and Be Healed: the Water Cure Movement and Women's Health]</i>, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0814323022/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0814323022&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=28b9ca1a27db42504c59af37e0777f32 Wings of Gauze: women Women of Color and he Experience of Health and Illness]</i>, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/025206593X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=025206593X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=7c6b8831c9c85e86f266dbaced94ac43 Babe: The Life and Legend of Babe Didrikson Zaharis]</i>, and co-authored with Susan Stamberg - <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/061327718X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=061327718X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d15d74cc7ccb1aae639a6f411bfb7fe8 Babe Didrikson: The Greatest All-Sport Athlete of All Time]</i>.
Here is our interview with Susan E. Cayleff.
