From my earliest recollection I did not know what it was to enjoy good health, suffering much of the time on account of defective sight, headaches, indigestion, pleurisy, rheumatism, and heart trouble. In the spring of 1895 there was serious eye trouble and a general breaking down of the system. At this time a physician was called whose specialty was eye surgery, and after several weeks' treatment he informed me that I required glasses and must always expect to wear them. The glasses were fitted, and for a time I was able to see well enough to attend to regular work in my office. Following this, there was an acute attack of heart disease, attended with great pain and imperfect circulation of the blood. To overcome this, hot baths and bandaging of the limbs were prescribed, and for a brief time afforded some relief. Several reputable physicians were employed, no two of whom agreed in their diagnosis of my case, and one frankly acknowledged that he did not know what the trouble was. Although they did all they could for me, and I was having good nursing and every kind attention from my family, I gradually grew worse, until the mental as well as the physical conditions were alarming. My case was diagnosed by one of the most prominent physicians of our city and pronounced paresis, my wife being informed that if I should live much longer it would be necessary to place me in a hospital for the insane. Previous to this I had been obliged to resign positions of responsibility and give up all business which required close mental application, and was confined at home much of the time,— more or less clouded mentally, and too helpless even to walk.
During my invalidism I was treated by physicians of three different schools,— homoeopathic, allopathic, and eclectic —but realized nothing beyond temporary relief. As the last spark of faith in material means died out, our attention was called to Christian Science and its wonderful work in healing many "incurable" diseases, and in October, 1898, after much thoughtful deliberation on the part of my family, it was decided to apply to a Christian Science practitioner for treatment. This I received for one week, but am very confident that I was healed in one treatment of the more serious complications from which I had suffered, as I was conscious of immediate relief. The change from sickness to health was so rapid, and the outward manifestation so marked that my healing was the wonder of all who knew me My eyes were so much improved that glasses were discarded and have not been used since. In a few months my weight had increased from one hundred and seventeen pounds to one hundred and sixty-five pounds; the circulation became normal, and all organic troubles disappeared. Instead of being unable to add even the smallest numbers there was unusual clearness and activity of thought, and weariness did not follow mental or manual labor. In fact, I was a perfectly well man, and so remain, and am often solicited as a safe risk for life insurance.
For twenty-five years I had been a constant user of tobacco—smoking almost incessantly,—but soon after my healing I found that all desire for it had left me, and since then I have not experienced the slightest return of the appetite. I had previously tried many times to overcome the habit, but could not do without tobacco, even for a very brief time, without intense suffering.
