1956 – 1969
The Elders Seed a Renaissance:
Suppression, Fragmentation and Resilience Amidst Conventional Medical Monopoly
1956-19591956
[HK]Experience, Heritage and Knowledge
Biochemical Individuality: The Key to Understanding What Shapes Your Health. Roger J. Williams, PhD, biochemist, introduces the genetotrophic concept of nutrition, a foundation of modern personalized medicine.
Biochemical Individuality: The Key to Understanding What Shapes Your Health. Roger J. Williams, PhD, biochemist, introduces the genetotrophic concept of nutrition, a foundation of modern personalized medicine.
[HK]Experience, Heritage and Knowledge
Introductionto Cybernetics. W. Ross Ashby. First specification of the “Law of Requisite Variety”
[HK]Experience, Heritage and Knowledge [MC]
The Stress of Life. Hans Selye, MD, PhD. Origin of popular concept of “stress” although common usage often does not accurately reflect Selye’s concept or nomenclature distinguishing “distress” and “eustress” as predominantly determined by an individual’s response pattern to environmental stressors.
[PA]Professional Associations
National Association of Naturopathic Physicians (NANP) founded in the US, via merger between American Naturopathic Association and American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (legally distinct from later AANP). Dissolves in 1984 after failure of federal lawsuit.
[PA]Professional Associations [PM][HK]
Northwest Naturopathic Physicians Convention, inaugural convention in Nanaimo, BC, brings together naturopathic physicians from Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia for decades. Important annual forum preserves and advances traditional and science-informed naturopathic medicine; collegial and purposefully apolitical. Founded by Joseph Boucher, ND, Gerald R. Farnsworth, DC, ND, and Douglas Kirkbride, ND.
[LR]Licensure and Regulation [PA][PL]
Georgia naturopathic law repealed after three years.
[LR]Licensure and Regulation [PA][PL]
South Carolina completes the process of repealing of naturopathic legislation started in 1955.
[LR]Licensure and Regulation [PA][PL]
Utah state Attorney General rules against the naturopaths.
[AI]Schools and Educational Councils
Carl E. Salamon, PhD, becomes President of NCNM.
Carl E. Salamon, PhD, becomes President of NCNM.
[AI]Schools and Educational Councils
National College of Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM), founded in Portland, OR, by Naturopathic Foundation of Health Research, a non-profit, primarily involving associations in British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. Incorporated by Charles Stone, Frank Spaulding, and W. Martin Bleything, with Ralph Weiss, Joseph Boucher, and other co-founders. Henry M. Merritt, MEd, ND, becomes founding President.
[AI]Schools and Educational Councils [AC]
NCNM joins Central States College and Sierra States College as the only three degree-granting naturopathic programs in North America.
[AI]Schools and Educational Councils [MC]
Seven chiropractic schools remain open in the US.
[AI]Schools and Educational Councils [AC]
Western States Chiropractic College ends naturopathic degree program signaling major divergence from the long-term alliance with naturopathic profession and the educational agenda, leadership role, and wide influence of W.A. Budden, founder and president from 1929 until 1954. In 2023 the University of Western States launches a College of Naturopathic Medicine program offering a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (NMD) degree.
[LR]Licensure and Regulation [PL]
Georgia repeals licensure law after being in place for three years.
[LR]Licensure and Regulation [PL]
South Carolina completes the repeal of licensure through legislation introduced in 1955.
[LR]Licensure and Regulation [PL]
Utah Attorney General rules against naturopaths.
[GH]Global Health Emergence [PA]
Arno Koegler, ND, becomes President of International Society of Naturopathic Physicians (ISNP) until 1972. Influential homeopath, physician in developing Canadian naturopathic profession.
1957
[HK]Experience, Heritage and Knowledge
Raw Juice Therapy. John B. Lust, ND.
Raw Juice Therapy. John B. Lust, ND.
[HK]Experience, Heritage and Knowledge [MC]
The Strategy of the Genes. Conrad Hal Waddington. Introduces concepts of “epigenetic landscape,” bridging the gap between analytical and theoretical biology.
[PA]Professional Associations
Albert Russell, ND, becomes Chair of CAN until 1958.
[PA]Professional Associations
Washington State Naturopathic Association renamed Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
[LR]Licensure and Regulation [PL]
Florida bans new licenses.
[LR]Licensure and Regulation [PL]
Utah bans new licenses.
[LR]Licensure and Regulation [PL]
Texas Attorney General “puts the naturopaths out of business”. Will Wilson, Attorney General, et al., Appellants, v. State Board of Naturopathic Examiners et al., Appellees. No.10447. Court of Civil Appeals of Texas, Austin. The sole question of law presented is the constitutionality, vel non, of Article 4590d, V.A.C.S., known as the Naturopathic Act.
[PL]Governmental Policy and Legislation [LR][GH]
German Federal Constitutional Court reinstitutes training of Heilpraktikers.
[LR]Licensure and Regulation [PL]
Washington state law changes Drugless Practitioner licensing designation from “sanipractor” to “naturopath”
1958
[HK]Experience, Heritage and Knowledge [PM]
A Cancer Therapy: Results of Fifty Cases and the Cure of Advanced Cancer. Max Gerson, MD.
[HK]Experience, Heritage and Knowledge [PA]
Journal of Naturopathic Medicine co-published by International Society of Naturopathic Physicians (ISNP) and NANP. Ed., M. Campanella, ND. Published in Graham, FL.
[PA]Professional Associations [LR]
Albert J. Thut, ND, elected President of the Ontario Naturopathic Association (ONA).
[PA]Professional Associations
Ross Skaken becomes CAN Chair until 1960.
[PL]Governmental Policy and Legislation [LR][MC]
Schlichting v. Texas State Board of Medical Examiners decision. Naturopathic practice, education, and profession suppressed by AMA-Attorney General collusion. “A Naturopath is neither a legally licensed doctor of medicine nor of osteopathy.” Henry Schlichting, Jr., Appellant, v. Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, Appellee. No. A-6617. Supreme Court of Texas.
[PL]Governmental Policy and Legislation [LR][AI][AC]
Survey of Naturopathic Schools. Prepared for the Utah State Medical Association. Prepared by Bureau of Economic and Business Research, University of Utah, December 1958. Includes Advanced Naturopathic Forum, American College of Physicians & Surgeons (ACPS), California College of Natural Healing Arts (CCNHA, formerly Cale College of Naturopathy and California College of Naturopathy), the College of Naturopathic Physicians and Surgeons (CNPS), Emerson University (formerly California University of Liberal Physicians, CULP), the Naturopathic Institute and Sanitorium, the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic (LACC), Sierra States University, and the Standard College of Naturopathic Physicians (aka Pacific College of Naturopathic Physicians).*
[LR]Licensure and Regulation [PL]
British Columbia deregulates naturopathic practice.
[LR]Licensure and Regulation [PL][AI][AC]
A Study of the Healing Arts with Emphasis Upon Naturopathy. A Report to the Utah Legislative Council by the Legislative Council Staff, November 1958. Based on inquiries of and site visits to the seven schools granting ND degrees accredited by the Utah Naturopathy Examining Board as of August 1957. Only NCNM, Central States College, and Sierra States College were recognized as operating, with Sierra States only recognized as a “postgraduate” program. *
[AI]Schools and Educational Councils
NCNM moves from Hawthorne Street to Dr. John Noble’s office in Postal Building, Portland, OR.1959
[HK]Experience, Heritage and Knowledge [PM]
The Prevention of Incurable Disease. Maximilian Bircher-Benner, M.D. Translated from German by Dr. E.F. Meyer.
[LR]Licensure and Regulation [PL]
Florida State licensure law is revoked.
[LR]Licensure and Regulation [PL]
State Board of Naturopathic Examiners, Petitioners, v. Will Wilson, Attorney General of Texas. Texas Supreme Court. The Court found that the Naturopathic Act could not both include the full scope of the practice of medicine and states that Naturopathy was not the practice of medicine.
[AI]Schools and Educational Councils [LR]
Central States College of Physiatrics, Spitler’s school in Eaton, OH, closes. Designated “mechanotherapy” by charter and licensing law, but naturopathy and drugless physicians in content and lineage.
1960-1969
1960
[HK]Experience, Heritage and Knowledge [PA]
Eternal Health Truths of A Century Ago. Ed., Christopher Gian-Cursio. “Published on the Occasion of the First Annual Convention of the International Federation of Hygienists.”
[PA]Professional Associations
Douglas Kirkbride, ND, becomes Chair of CNA until 1965.
[AI]Schools and Educational Councils
André Passebecq, a student of Pierre-Valentin Marchesseau inspired by Herbert M. Shelton and Henry Lindlhar, founds the naturopathic school Vie et Action.
[AI]Schools and Educational Councils
James Millar, ThD, MA, becomes President of NCNM until 1965.
James Millar, ThD, MA, becomes President of NCNM until 1965.
[AI]Schools and Educational Councils
NCNM moves primary classes to Seattle, WA, as a satellite program, later returns to Portland, OR. Under Ken Harmon, ND, NCNM hires the first PhD basic sciences faculty. Fewer than 20 primary (ND-only) graduates of NCNM during this decade (most ND graduates are second degrees for DCs matriculating through weekend intensives and practicums).
NCNM moves primary classes to Seattle, WA, as a satellite program, later returns to Portland, OR. Under Ken Harmon, ND, NCNM hires the first PhD basic sciences faculty. Fewer than 20 primary (ND-only) graduates of NCNM during this decade (most ND graduates are second degrees for DCs matriculating through weekend intensives and practicums).
1961
[PA]Professional Associations
Gerald Farnsworth, DC, ND, becomes Chair of CNA until 1964.[PL]Governmental Policy and Legislation [GH][MC]
Gerald Farnsworth, DC, ND, becomes Chair of CNA until 1964.[PL]Governmental Policy and Legislation [GH][MC]
Royal Commission of Inquiry into Matters Relating to Natural Therapists (The Guthrie Report) recommends prohibition of naturopathy in Australia.
[PL]Governmental Policy and Legislation [GH][MC]
Western Australian Royal Commission to Inquire into the Provisions of the Natural Therapists Bill recommends regulation of chiropractors. Although noting the public “received great satisfaction from naturopathic services,” it deems regulation of naturopaths unnecessary as “medical professionals could potentially offer similar treatments.”
[AI]Schools and Educational Councils
First graduating class of NCNM.
First graduating class of NCNM.
[AI]Schools and Educational Councils [PA][GH]
Victorian School of the National Association of Naturopaths, Osteopaths, and Chiropractors (now Southern School of Natural Therapies in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) founded by Alf Jacka, ND, respected pioneer of Australian naturopathy; with support from Maurice Blackmore, also an influential leader in advancing Australian naturopathy. The first formal and sustainable four-year school in Australia and oldest currently active school. Until then, most NDs relied on correspondence courses from the US or UK or ‘up-skill’ from DC.
[MC]Mainstream Context, Collaboration and Integration [HK]
Chaos theory, as a branch of mathematics, was born in November of 1961, in the lab of Yoshisuke Ueda, at Kyoto University. [https://chaos.amp.i.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/]
1962
[HK]Experience, Heritage and Knowledge [MC]
Silent Spring. Rachel Carson. Expands awareness of DDT and other environmental toxins; prelude to emergence of ecology movement and broader awareness of sustainable, local and organic agriculture.
[HK]Experience, Heritage and Knowledge [MC]
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Thomas Kuhn.
[PA]Professional Associations
The General Council and Register of Naturopaths (GCRN) formed, succeeding the Nature Cure Society of Great Britain, as the leading independent registering body for Naturopaths in the United Kingdom. “The GCRN is deeply affiliated with the British Naturopathic Association (BNA).“ (https://www.gcrn.org.uk/ )
The General Council and Register of Naturopaths (GCRN) formed, succeeding the Nature Cure Society of Great Britain, as the leading independent registering body for Naturopaths in the United Kingdom. “The GCRN is deeply affiliated with the British Naturopathic Association (BNA).“ (https://www.gcrn.org.uk/ )
1963
[HK]Experience, Heritage and Knowledge [RI]
Research on the Low Potencies of Homœopathy: An Account of Some Physical Properties Indicating Activity. W. E. Boyd, MD.
[PA]Professional Associations [DP]
Informal “Unity Meeting” between Canadian and US naturopathic doctors to discuss definition and practice of naturopathic medicine.
[LR]Licensure and Regulation [AC]
AMA refuses to continue to examine chiropractors for licensure.
[LR]Licensure and Regulation [AC]
Chiropractors establish their own examining boards.
[AI]Schools and Educational Councils
Sierra States College in California closes post-graduate naturopathic program.
Sierra States College in California closes post-graduate naturopathic program.
[AI]Schools and Educational Councils
The National College of Chiropractic moves to Lombard, IL.
The National College of Chiropractic moves to Lombard, IL.
[MC]Mainstream Context, Collaboration and Integration [PL]
AMA establishes the Committee on Quackery for the purpose of discrediting nonconventional practitioners, especially chiropractors.
1964
[HK]Experience, Heritage and Knowledge [PA]
The Canadian Journal of Naturopathic Medicine. Publ., Canadian Naturopathic Association. Ceases in 1979. 1965
[HK]Experience, Heritage and Knowledge [MC]
Atlas of Protein Sequence and Structure, Margaret Oakley Dayhoff’s book reporting all known protein sequences (totaling 65).
[HK]Experience, Heritage and Knowledge [PM]
Food Is Your Best Medicine. Henry G. Bieler, MD.
[HK]Experience, Heritage and Knowledge
Let’s Get Well. Adelle Davis. Popularizer of healthy living philosophy and practices.
[PA]Professional Associations [LR]
British Naturopathic Association becomes British Naturopathic and Osteopathic Association (BNOA); creates General Council and Register of Naturopaths (GCRN) to act as registering body for naturopaths independent of BNOA, a professional association.
[PA]Professional Associations [LR]
General Council and Register of Naturopaths (GCRN) incorporates as independent registering body for the profession. Becomes largest register of naturopaths in the UK.
[PA]Professional Associations
Lawrence Schnell becomes Chair of CNA until 1974.
Lawrence Schnell becomes Chair of CNA until 1974.
[PL]Governmental Policy and Legislation [DP][PA][LR][MC]
US Department of Labor Dictionary of Occupational Titles publishes definition of naturopathy, which is modality- and therapy-based, does not define profession based on principles or philosophy: “diagnoses, treats, and cares for patients.” Does not acknowledge NDs as physicians.
[AI]Schools and Educational Councils
Robert Fleming, DC, ND, becomes President of NCNM until 1970.
Robert Fleming, DC, ND, becomes President of NCNM until 1970.
1966
[HK]Experience, Heritage and Knowledge
Cymatics: The Study of Wave Phenomena (Kymatics). Hans Jenny, MD. Visually documents scientific research of physiologic and therapeutic effects of sound; second volume, 1972.
[PL]Governmental Policy and Legislation [MC]
Peter Barry Chowka begins work as an investigative journalist focusing on natural medicine and innovative therapies. Activist in politics of alternative healthcare and naturopathic medicine. Broke important stories on diet, cancer, research, respected critical analyst. Advisor to NIH Office of Alternative Medicine, 1992-1994.
[AI]Schools and Educational Councils
Health Research Foundation becomes Western States College Foundation.
Health Research Foundation becomes Western States College Foundation.
[AI]Schools and Educational Councils [GH]
Peter Derig, DC, establishes College of Naturopathic Sciences (Australia).
Peter Derig, DC, establishes College of Naturopathic Sciences (Australia).
1968
[PM]Practice Models and Care Delivery
Betty Radelet, DC, ND (d. 2016) Earns ND degree as first woman graduate of NCNM; senior woman elder of the modern-era profession; still practicing in 2011. Known for qualities of physician as healer and teacher (Docere), strength, courage and perseverance; traditional eclectic practice. Authored Anecdotes and Antidotes: Forty Years of Smiles and Tears in a Natural Health Clinic (2009).
Betty Radelet, DC, ND (d. 2016) Earns ND degree as first woman graduate of NCNM; senior woman elder of the modern-era profession; still practicing in 2011. Known for qualities of physician as healer and teacher (Docere), strength, courage and perseverance; traditional eclectic practice. Authored Anecdotes and Antidotes: Forty Years of Smiles and Tears in a Natural Health Clinic (2009).
[HK] Experience, Heritage and Knowledge
Body Chemistry in Health and Disease. Melvin Page, DDS.
Body Chemistry in Health and Disease. Melvin Page, DDS.
[HK]Experience, Heritage and Knowledge [MC]
General System Theory: Foundations, Development, Applications. Karl Ludwig von Bertalanffy, PhD. Introduces contemporary approach to Emergentism. [PM]Practice Models and Care Delivery [GH]
First naturopathy practice opens in Nepal.
General System Theory: Foundations, Development, Applications. Karl Ludwig von Bertalanffy, PhD. Introduces contemporary approach to Emergentism. [PM]Practice Models and Care Delivery [GH]
First naturopathy practice opens in Nepal.
1969
[HK]Experience, Heritage and Knowledge [PM]
Fundamental Basis of Iridiagnosis. Theodor Kriege.
Fundamental Basis of Iridiagnosis. Theodor Kriege.
[PA]Professional Associations [PM]
Acupuncture professionalization advances in Australia when 26 chiropractors and naturopaths form first association, Acupuncture Colleges (Australia), founded by Russel Jewell, DC, ND. Chinese medicine practice had been primarily herbal in Australia until this time.
Acupuncture professionalization advances in Australia when 26 chiropractors and naturopaths form first association, Acupuncture Colleges (Australia), founded by Russel Jewell, DC, ND. Chinese medicine practice had been primarily herbal in Australia until this time.
[AI]Schools and Educational Councils [PL][AC]
Nature Cure Hospital and Gandhi Naturopathy Medical College, first government-recognized four-year diploma in naturopathy in India, founded in Hyderabad, Andra Pradesh, by B. Venkat Rao, ND; initially offers Diploma in Naturopathy (ND); currently has full-time residential degree course.
[RI]Research Institutes, Grants and Publications [GH]
Indian national government establishes Central Council for Research in Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; tasked with conducting scientific research into branches of natural medicine until 1978. During this period, development of naturopathy was governed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
©1992-2025 Mitchell Bebel Stargrove
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