Yesterday afternoon Dr. Charles G. Ward, the coroner, held an inquest in the case of Henrietta, wife of Edward M. Curtis, who died last Tuesday at her home in New York Mills, of consumption. For several months prior to her death Mrs. Curtis had declined the services of regularly licensed physicians, and had accepted the treatment of believers in the efficacy of Christian Science. As a result, when death relieved Mrs. Curtis, no physician would sign the death certificate required by State law, and an inquest was necessary. It was generally understood that Mrs. Curtis had had consumption, and that no human power could have saved her life; so it was not believed that the inquest would develop any facts of importance not already known. District Attorney Klock, who had been requested by the coroner to conduct the examination of witnesses, had no thought that there had been any irregularities, and acted simply to gratify the coroner's wishes.
The inquest was held in Odd Fellows' Hall in Yorkville, and was attended by a large gathering of persons, many of whom were sympathizers with the faith of the Christian Scientists. Hon. Thomas S. Jones appeared for the purpose of examining witnesses in the interests of the Scientists, but found it unnecessary to ask many questions, as the evidence adduced by the district attorney and the coroner was not unfavorable to their treatment of the case, despite the verdict of censure.
Dr. Edward M. Hyland testified as to the condition of Mrs. Curtis during the brief time he treated her. He said he first saw her November 1st, last, at which time she was greatly emaciated, and part of one lung was solidified. There was no doubt that she had consumption, and he prescribed tonics and medicines calculated to stimulate her appetite and brace up her constitution. He last saw her December 2, but noticed no marked change in her condition, although she said she felt better. In cases of consumption, he said, the disease is often arrested and checked for a number of years by proper medical treatment, but a large percentage of chances are against such results. He thought cheerful surroundings and hopefulness might aid in prolonging life in a ease of consumption, and also believed that constant medical treatment would have bettered the physical condition of Mrs. Curtis.
