I like full liberty, full liberty to do with my body as I like, to my own peril or to the peril of anyone else. It doesn't matter; I'm not particular as to that. The state stands for liberty and it doesn't seem likely to change its position and will not interfere with your soul in the matter of health. When my soul is sick, unlimited spiritual liberty is given me by the state. Now then, it doesn't seem logical that the state shall depart from this great policy, the health of the soul, and change about and take the other position in the matter of smaller consequences--the health of the body. ... Now what I contend is that my body is my own, at least, I have always so regarded it. If I do harm through my experimenting it is I who suffer, not the state. And if I indulge in dangerous experiments the state don't die. I attend to that.
- "Remarks on Osteopathy," speech delivered to Committee on Public Health, New York General Assembly, 27 Feb 1901

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