D. D. Palmer and innate intelligence: development, division and derision.

D. D. Palmer's concept of innate intelligence was introduced to the fledgling chiropractic profession in 1904. 'It has been a source of division and derision to the profession since that time because of its religious content. Innate philosophy, although unique to chiropractic, was largely a refabrication of common turn-of-the century religious and philosophical beliefs. The origin and development of this concept is accordingly examined relative to both Palmer's beliefs and the wider social matrix from which he drew them.