The Universal Laws of Healing: The Contrast Between Healers and Pretenders by C. C. Wilcher, D.C., N.D., D.N.B.H.E., F.I.A.M.A. Legendary Publishing Co., 1999 ISBN l-887747-28-1 Reviewed by D. P. Towle, B.S., D.C., D.N.B.H.E., D.A.B.F.E., D.A.B.F.M. Dr. Wilcher's textbook is a new and highly refined model for healing. Not because he has developed a new form of therapy, but, to paraphrase Albert Szent-Gorgyi, he "sees what everyone else has seen but thinks what nobody else has thought." Dr. E. Floyd develops this concept further in the book's foreword by saying, "Dr. Wilcher does not strive to introduce a particular style of therapeutic application but, rather, attempts to present a comprehensive introduction to vitalistic healing in all of its applications. Rather than attempting to assist the reader to become a specific type of doctor, i.e., an acupuncturist, a homeopath, a chiropractor, an allopath, etc., Dr. Wilcher attempts to assist the reader to think and function in the vitalistic mode." This vitalistic model establishes the fact that there are also non-corporal components to the living entity which much be explained and dealt with in order to ensure a healthy state. Therefore, a major underlying concept of his book is that the living being is a spiritual (non-corporal or anti-matter) entity, which exhibits an energy potential, inhabits a mechanical body, that is stimulated electrically, reacts chemically but is controlled emotionally and possesses intellectual capacity. Thus, true healing must encompass, at the very least, all of these aspects of the total being. To do less is to ignore the true nature of the living being and can produce only marginal levels of healing success. Another vital point is the fact that once we begin dealing with the energetic or quantum and anti-matter components of the living creature, all of the solid state laws we have utilized so successfully throughout our lives, according to Einstein's 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, become inoperative or operate erratically. This revelation forces healers to master new ways to thinking new laws and new applications that operate in very different relationships when compared to those solid state laws they have been accustomed to. A significant portion of Wilcher's book deals with these new relationships and their clinical application. The text is actually a compilation of five books under one cover. The book's Freshman text identifies the new paradigm and places it into a context which enables practitioners and patients of all healing disciplines to understand how and why they think differently from each other. The Sophomore text deals with the requisite knowledge necessary in order to be a consistent healer, while the Junior text provides an in depth look at each of the world's major healing systems and their governing laws. For example, there rare chapters on western, quantum, African, hypnosis, Native American and oceanic, naturopathic, oriental, spiritual, and Sufi medicine. The Senior text explores numerous stressors which can cause interference with the universal laws of healing. The Post-Doctoral text brings all of these laws together into one integrated whole. This section of the test is actually the "creme de la creme" as it explores concepts which few other texts have had the courage to broach. For example, it identifies numerous glaring scientific shortcomings of the standard double blind research protocol and then outlines the requirements for a truly scientific protocol. It also deals with ta new perspective on the inheritance of disease and the anti-matter component of healing. The text is illustrated with over one-hundred graphs, drawings, charts, pictures, maps, formulas, chromatograms, kirlian photographs, etc. All major concepts and laws are also in bold type for easy use as a reference work. The format is designed to be essentially a self-educating text with more technical terms replacing lay terminology as the reader progresses through its pages. Clearly, some readers will disagree with a few of Dr. Wilcher's concepts regarding health and disease but it would be difficult to deny that this text is exceptionally well researched, well thought out and well written and that he is not afraid to tackle sensitive issues which others have chosen to side-step. It's clarion value, however, is for those willing to study, reflect upon, accept new principles and bring their lives into compliance with them. This book will forever change their concepts of health, disease, life, death and their relationships with each other and with the universe in which they live, move and have their existence. At the risk of parroting what is rapidly becoming a cliche, this volume truly is a "paradigm shift" and, therefore, worthy of much serious reading, contemplation and practical application. Price $45.00 plus $7.00 shipping.