The Art of the Bone-Setter: A Testimony and a Vindication

"The Art of the Bone-Setter: A Testimony and a Vindication" by George Matthews Bennett is a defense of bone-setting, a traditional healing art, against the skepticism of the late 19th-century medical establishment. Driven by patient requests and his family history of bone-setters, Bennett chronicles the effectiveness of this practice for dislocations, fractures, and sprains. The book presents historical context, examining the medical community’s past dismissal of bone-setting while noting emerging acceptance. By combining firsthand accounts of successful treatments with the legacy of skilled bone-setters, Bennett aims to validate the practice as a valuable alternative to conventional surgery.