William S. Rehm DC, HCD(hc), interned at Spears Chiropractic Hospital (1955-56). Dr. Rehm has been researching chiropractic history for many years and was founding president and long-time executive director of the Association for the History of Chiropractic. Dr. Rehm, semi-retired today, is researching and planning on writing a book on the fascinating history of Spears Hosptial.
The article "Life Around the World" which appeared in the June 15 issue of Dynamic Chiropractic was provocative. It outlined Dr. Sid Williams' plans to dispatch up to 20 self-contained traveling chiropractic clinics abroad. It's a good idea whose time apparently has come ... again.
Nearly 60 years ago, Dr. Leo Spears of Denver, Colorado effectively employed a similar concept, perhaps for the first time in chiropractic. Dr. Spears, of course, was the dynamic (if controversial) founder of the hospital which bore his name until 1983, when it closed.
The mobile clinic was part of the Spears trappings during the 1940-41 period, operated by Dr. Leo's nephew, Dr. Dan C. Spears. A 21-foot house trailer hitched to a 12-cylinder La Salle automobile, it traveled a 500 mile loop each week through eastern Colorado, covering 28 towns. Services were free to children and others who couldn't pay.
The trailer housed a hi-lo chiropractic table bolted to the floor; a desk and chairs; a lavatory, and a cot. It was heated by a kerosene stove, with electric power supplied by the car battery. Operations were discontinued for the duration of World War II.
A new, 30-foot version of the rolling clinic made its debut on June 4, 1951 to provide free treatment at Indian reservations in New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma and Nevada. Dr. Leo Spears believed it was the first such enterprise in chiropractic history. But disaster struck on the fourth day out. The following dispatch was written for the press services by Elliott Chaze, Denver novelist and former Associated Press regional chief, who accompanied the ill-fated journey:
"Trailer Wrecked"
"Albuquerque, N.M. (AP) -- A spectacular accident temporarily ended the expedition to provide free chiropractic treatment for American Indians. It occurred about 15 miles west of Albuquerque, N.M., the tow car ..., at the bottom of a two-mile grade.
Dr. (Kenneth) Everet and Elliott Chaze, his companion, miraculously escaped serious injury. Drs. (Arnold) Goldschmidt and (Stewart) Cain, following in the former's automobile, helped rescue Everet and Chaze. Dr. (Leo) Spears is undecided whether he will send out another free trailer clinic at this time."1
Dr. Spears, who advocated natural treatment for cancer, arthritis, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and other diseases, dispatched an educational trailer (a 35-footer) to tour throughout the Rocky Mountain region in the mid-1950s. It displayed a continuous loop of the Spears Hospital sound film "Chiropractic Proof," a photo gallery with histories of recovered patients, and educational literature.
William S. Rehm, DC, HCD (hc)
Baltimore, Maryland
References
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
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Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
