The B.J. Palmer Private Chiropractic Clinic

(1935 – 1961 Davenport, Iowa)

by Gary V. Golembiewski, D.C.

About the presenter

Gary V. Golembiewski, D.C. • Palmer grad in private practice since 1983

• Currently practices in Park Ridge, NJ

• Board Certified in Upper Cervical Chiropractic

• Founding member of I.C.A’s Council

on Fitness & Sports Health Science

• College Lecturer on HIO Instrumentation

and Biomechanics

• 3rd generation chiropractor

• Published research on Scoliosis Reduction in the Journal of Vertebrae Subluxation

D. D. Palmer – Founder of the Chiropractic Profession

1845-1913 “Old Dad Chiro” : his thoughts, words, and deeds Byron D. Brown, Journal of Chiropractic Humanities, Vol. 16,

Issue 1, pages 57-75 (December 2009)

B. J. Palmer – Developer of the Chiropractic Profession.

8/14/1882 - 5/27/1961 (78yrs). B.J. Palmer Private Chiropractic Clinic 1935 – 1961 in the green book.

CHIROPRACTIC CLINICAL CONTROLLED RESEARCH Vol.XXV PALMER 1951

BJ Palmer Private Clinic Staff... 1946

BJ Palmer, D.C., PhC center (Circle). To his right is Lyle Sherman, D.C.(director) and to his left is Kenneth Cronk,

M.S.,D.C. (Director/lab)

The Clinic Reception Room

• A daily scene of patients, waiting to be Pre or Post-checked • Children and adults of all ages; men & women, bankers, farmers, businessmen & housewives too! • From here, there and everywhere they arrive. Twelve states and two foreign countries! • A veritable melting pot of sickness comes to get well – and many do!

BJP Private Clinic Building on Palmer Campus Davenport, Iowa

“The Golden Era of Chiropractic”. WE DO NOT PERMIT OUR CASES TO DO ANYTHING WHICH BLOCKS OFF

WHAT WE RESTORE! NO MEDICATION.

Main Entrance of Clinic

Rooms at the entrance of the clinic.

One of several Offices to manage BJ’s enterprises.

President of The National Broadcasting Co. Painting on silk on right is a Tibetan 17th century museum piece.

Another of BJ’s Private Offices

President’s Office. On the desk is a dwarfed pine, “Ming Tree”. It is over 200 years old, lives and grows without water. Paintings on silk on wall are 17th century Chinese

paintings, museum pieces, of the Emperor and Empress Dowager.

Physical Exam Room

MD’s on staff would perform the medical case history and perform the physical examination and render a medical diagnosis. EKG’s pre/post adjustment. Blood and urine analysis were performed.

Then referred to the chiropractor for analysis and adjustment to the upper cervical spine only.

NCM Reading and Adjusting Room

Knee chest and side posture adjusting tables, resting chair. In the early 1940s BJ Palmer went over to the side posture adjusting table.

Shielded, Grounded, NCM Reading Booth

Lead lined to keep out any waves of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Neurocalometers and Neurocalograph

Pattern analysis was used to determine when to adjust. The average number of adjustments in twenty eight (28) days was ONE!

BJ Palmer Giving an Adjustment

HIO Toggle recoil on the knee chest adjusting table.

Precision Spinograph X-Ray equipment

First L frame for alignment.

X-Ray Positioning Seat Unit

Cervical x-ray chair on ball bearings for easy movement of the patient.

Precise Patient Positioning

Headclamps to stabilize the patient once he or she was positioned in a neutral position.

State of the Art X-Ray Equipment

Standing A-P X-Ray.

Mummy of Princess Meritaton

Daughter of King Sakere of Egypt, she was estimated to be between 3,297 and 3,322 years old in 1947. That would make

her about 3,385 years old today.

X-Ray Dark Room and Viewing Room

X-Ray Dark Room.

The Kuhn ProtractorScope

The Kuhn Protractorscope. By its use, mathematical measurements are used in comparing changed positions of vertebral subluxations before and after

adjustment. All directions and angles are possible.

Fluoroscopy

Technician wears leaded glasses, heavily leaded apron and leaded gloves for his protection against long exposures.

Chiropractic Newspaper Ad

The “Get Off the Hose” ad was an early form of advertising for Chiropractic, which was largely misunderstood at the time.

X-Ray Reading Room

Full spine and upper cervical specific x-ray view boxs.

BJ’s Consultation Offices

Clinic professional work and conferences. Current case files. A large vault contains the thousands of old case files. Every case file is cross-card-indexed for instant reference. Our case librarian can refer to any case, or any history of any case almost instantly.

It is frequently referred to by Chiropractors who have referred or are referring their cases here for research study.

The After Adjustment Resting Rooms

There were thirty seven in the clinic. Ambulance cot rest room has no rest bed, because the ambulance

cot substitutes as one.

The Chemical Laboratory

Kenneth Cronk, D.C. ,M.S director

Audiocardiograph, Electrocardiograph, Electrocardiophone

Shielded & grounded laboratory. Pre/Post testing after adjustment.

Shielded, grounded recording Heartometer laboratory

Shielded & grounded labortory.

Animal Laboratory

It is here the Ascheim-Zonek pregnancy tests were made.

Microscopic Laboratory

All anatomical slides made are recorded in cabinet on the left. In here is the finest equipment to be had in the day.

Conturgraphometer

Postural Analysis. This instrument was conceived, developed, and patented by the Palmer School of Chiropractic. Its purpose is to automatically and mechanically record the contours of curves of the spinal column, normal and abnormal. A delicate finger travels the contours of the spine and automatically shifts the recording ink pen on a moving graph paper. It records the A-P curves,

as well as the lateral curves. This record is made each week, thus we compare one weeks improvement with another.

Photographic Studio

Comparative Spinographic Color Graph Laboratory

Pre/Post X-Rays.

Biological Chemical Laboratory

Kenneth Cronk, D.C, M.S.director.

Blood Test Laboratory

All patients receive pre/post tests.

Chemical Research Laboratory

128 separate forms are used to record all the information gathered during a

patient’s stay at the BJ Clinic.

Numerous storages systems of patient forms.

Osteological Laboratory. The finest Specimen Collection

in the World!

One of the most extensive labs in the world.

Over 19,000 Human Bone Specimens

More Bones

Even MORE Bones

Skulls-A-Plenty

BJ Palmer studied extensively real bones. He was particularly interested in the shapes of the occipital condyle’s and the foramen magnum (asymmetry).

The Specific Subluxation Wet Specimen

Skull, atlas & axis. Calvarium removed. Transparency. This is a valuable specimen. Read the description first before studying specimen. Study specimen. Then read the

description again. Study A-P as well as P-A. Laterals also reveal much. The small base, on which rests the glass jar, revolves on a larger base below. It turns hard purposely.

After studying one direction, then revolve it slowly to another direction, until you have seen all four sides. But, always remember to change positions slowly.

Coffin, Mummy and Full body X-Ray of Egyptian Princess Merit-Aton

A-P full body view, A-P & lateral cervical views.

Rehabilitation Laboratory

Rehab Lab: Precision Weight Scale

Rehabilitation Laboratory

Walking rehabilitation unit.

Rehabilitation Laboratory

Bikes etc.

Rehab Lab: Neck muscle developer and forearm developer

Rehab Lab: Treadmill and Push-Pull Leg Developer

Rehab Lab: Mechanical Horse. This is the ONLY apparatus that

has its’ own power supply.

Rehab Lab: Kiddy-cars to re-train the paralyzed to walk. Upper arm developer.

Rehab Lab: Shoulder and Back Developer

Rehab Lab: Spirometer Lung Developer and Arm Developer

Rehab Lab: Climbing Bars

Ambulance Cots, Crutches, Canes, and Wheelchairs

Palm Court

Floor of Palm Court

2,000 Gallon Fish Aquarium is 47 feet long

Mounted Fish Collection

Eskimo Artifacts

Clinic Assembly Hall: Sword and Blade Collection

Collection of Beheading Axes

Clinic Assembly Hall

Interns in the clinic would have meetings here with Dr. BJ Palmer and his staff. BJ would speak to the

student body here once a quarter.

Electroencephaloneuromentimpograph Research Laboratory

Electro- encephalo- neuro- mentimpo- graph.

Electroencephaloneuromentimpograph Shielded, Grounded Booths

Pre/ Post test ( after adjustment )

PAUSE… Let’s take a step back and reflect

on all this for a few moments.

I know. Some of the B & W photos seem a bit scary and archaic. But understand the groundbreaking work that was taking place at this clinic. Much of it paved the way for the advancements in chiropractic today...

Electroencephaloneuromentimpograph Electronics

Recording apparatus.

Rear View of Internal Mechanisim Bay 1 & 2

Electroencephaloneuromentimpograph Electrodes detect 5 points of nerve

energy simultaneously

Record minute degrees of mental impulses in five places:1. at source, the brain, 2. at subluxation: occiput, C-1, C-2. 3. at point where nerve emits from spine below subluxation (T-6), 4. at any point between periphery and spinal exit, 5. at periphery

Electroencephaloneuromentimpograph

Close-up on set up on fractured section of the spinal column, two sets below fracture Graphs give comparison between nerve force current flow above as well as below fracture.

Keeler Polygraph Lie Detector

Keeler Polygraph Lie Detector

Are you on medications?

Entrance to Clinic Gardens “A Little Bit O’ Heaven”

Clinic Gardens: Fountains and Ponds

Clinic Gardens: Relaxation area under canopy.

Clinic Gardens: Stone Carp

Clinic Gardens: Sundial and Animals

Clinic Gardens: Buddhas

Clinic Gardens: Chinese Maiden

Dr. Lyle Sherman and his interns

Clinic Gardens: Sculptures

Clear View Sanitarium A Chiropractic “Mental Hospital”

in Davenport, Iowa.

Interns

Dr. Harry Robinson and interns.

BJ Palmer’s desk

Dr. Harry Robinson at BJ Palmer’s desk. Many famous pictures on the wall. Most were adjusted

by BJ Palmer, D.C., PhC.

Assembly Hall: BJ Palmer Clinic

Dad with faculty and classmates

Standing L-R:E. Gazo, J. Toscano, H. Robinson, C.S. Golembiewski (Dad), F. Bronzert Sitting Faculty L-R: Dr. W. Thomas, Dr. C. Kitchens, Dr. W. Snyder (class advisor).

Intern on Parallel Bars

Intern Harry Robinson, D.C. on the parallel bars. He was a gymnast.

BJ with students

L-R, Harry Robinson, C. Bishop, Dr. B.J. Palmer, J. Toscano.

"Chiropractic Polio Clinic"

The Order of the Black Tie

Clinic Garden

Clinic gardens

Scenic graces grounds waterfall.

A Little Bit of Heaven

Clinic Studies

ECG

Index

BJ Palmer’s Mission Statement

Explanation

Dr. Lyle Sherman

The Fifty Wonders, Palmer Class of 1951

B. J. Palmer – Developer of the Chiropractic Profession.

"B.J. Palmer unquestionably stands foremost among all responsible for (chiropractic's) present standing as a healing art, philosophy and science."- David D. Palmer

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Drs. Harry Robinson and Norris Erikson who helped advise me. And a very special thanks to Dr. Jim Dubel, New

Beginnings founder, for making this happen.

Presentation design by Sunspots Creative.

My Dad, C.S. Golembiewski, D.C.

I dedicate this presentation to Drs. B.J. Palmer, Lyle Sherman, all the staff and interns, and especially my Dad, C.S. Golembiewski, D.C., all who gave

mankind the Greatest gift of all: Chiropractic!