How can therapists and doctors strive to treat not just illness or disability, but the whole human being? Bertram von Zabern, MD, explores this question as he follows the historical thread of anthroposophically extended medicine in North America and weaves it into a tapestry illuminating the connections between the early pioneers of the field and the modern institutions, such as Weleda USA, which stand upon the foundations they laid. In a humble and conversational manner, von Zabern shares the stories of physicians who, inspired by the impulse given by Rudolf Steiner in his 1920 lecture series Introducing Anthroposophical Medicine , set out to create a regimen of care which recognizes the human being as a spiritual  being, while still attending to physical  health. Those familiar with anthroposophical medicine will recognize the names of lauded doctors such as Christoph Linder, Franz Winkler, Sigfrid Knauer, and Traute Lafrenz Page. Early Beginnings also traces the trajectory of therapeutic or “curative” education in North America. Beginning with the efforts of Gladys and William Hahn at Lossing Manor in 1938, the author shows how, with the help of Dr. Karl König and Carlo Pietzner, the therapeutic education movement has blossomed into a nationwide phenomenon which continues to help those with developmental disabilities live in dignity and realize their potential. Bertram von Zabern has lived in Temple, New Hampshire, since 1977. He has an active family practice and is closely connected with the local work of anthroposophical social therapy. Foreword To devote a book to the remembrance of the pioneers who laid the first foundations of anthroposophically extended medicine and therapeutic education in North America has been a long-standing wish and obligation of mine. Any such reflection contains the question: “Where do we stand today and what is essential for a medicine of true healing?” Anthroposophically extended medicine, or anthroposophic medicine, is an extension of medicine by the spiritual knowledge of anthroposophy as it was taught by Rudolf Steiner. In their book Fundamentals for an Extension of the Art of Healing through Spiritual-scientific Knowledge (translation of its original German title), Dr. Rudolf Steiner and Dr. Ita Wegman wrote:  This is not about an opposition against the medicine that works with the acknowledged scientific methods of the present. The latter is fully recognized by us in its principles. And, in our opinion, only one who can be with full validity a physician in the sense of these principles, shall use anthroposophical knowledge in the art of medicine.  Anthroposophic health care professionals have traditional training and qualification in their field of practice. In addition, they obtain training based on a view of the whole human being: body, soul, and spirit living in communion with nature and the cosmos. Anthroposophically extended medicine is aware of both the healing treasures of nature and spiritual activity. It uses natural and homeopathic remedies, as well as activating therapies such as eurythmy (creative movement), rhythmical massage, art, and music therapies. Mainstream medication and treatments are included as needed for the benefit of each patient.  An overview in this small format, even if it is limited to the first beginnings made by the founders of anthroposophical medicine and their legacy, cannot be complete and therefore is itself only a beginning. To everyone who so generously contributed to this publication, I want to say a warm, “thank you!” The memories and writings you made available are precious and helpful to us who came later. Special thanks to Barbara von Zabern for helping to create this book and to Dr. Alicia Landman-Reiner for editing the text. Bertram von Zabern   How It Began In 1920, Rudolf Steiner gave the first course for a wider group of physicians, entitled Spiritual Science and Medicine. One year later the Klinisch-Therapeutische Institut (later named Ita-Wegman Klinik) miraculously came into existence. Individually prescribed medicines and remedies (the “Dorons,” Iscar, Infludo, etc.) together with a line of body care preparations (Rosemary Soap, Hair Lotion, Ratanhia Mouthwash, etc.) were developed by Dr. Rudolf Steiner, Dr. Ita Wegman, and Dr. Ludwig Noll. They were prepared by chemist Dr. Oskar Schmiedel in a laboratory which quickly grew and eventually received the name of a Druid goddess, Weleda, from Rudolf Steiner in August 1924. It was a time when confidence in the progress of culture had been shattered by both World War I and the global influenza epidemic. A catastrophic breakdown of the world economy was imminent. In 1909, Gracia Ricardo, an opera singer, met Rudolf Steiner and Marie von Sivers (later Marie Steiner) in Berlin. After her return to America in 1910, she became instrumental in forming the first anthroposophical branch in New York City with a unique group of opera singers and artists. By the year 1920, t