Chiropr Hist. 1996 Dec; 16(2): 57-65.

The chiropractic heritage of Paul Caster: magnetic healer.

Jackson RB.

Magnetic healers were a phenomenon in America's heartland, from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri in Illinois in the late 1860s. Three noted magnetics in this region were Paul Caster, Andrew Still and Daniel Palmer; the first and third would have a chiropractic legacy, while Dr. Andrew Taylor Still would found osteopathy. This is the story of the chiropractic heritage from Paul Caster via his son, Jacob, to his grandson, Charles E. Caster, D.C. Magnetic healing in this family was considered by Paul to be a divine gift, while Still and Palmer would be rejected by the clergy and believed their skills could be learned, thus passed on.