In November, 1903, I was taken with severe pain in my face, and after using some remedies which gave no relief, I consulted a physician, who treated me for some time without benefiting me. He then advised me to go to a dentist whom he recommended, and I did so. About a year and a half before this time. I had had a bad tooth extracted, and the dentist thought it was the root of this tooth, which had been left in the gum, that was causing all the trouble, but the root was so deeply imbedded that he could not get at it. He treated me for some time, but my suffering increased, and I sought other physicians with the same result. The only relief I could get was through opiates, and these, too, were beginning to fail me. I was living in Indiana at this time, and knowing a Christian Science practitioner in another town, I went to her for treatment. My face was in a very bad condition, and a place in my cheek which had been lanced was continually discharging. I went direct from the Scientist's home to my old employer in Louisville, Ky. This was on Monday morning, and I worked all day. That night I rested well, and went again on Tuesday for treatment. Wednesday morning a small piece of bone worked its way out of the gum. I took it to the practitioner, and told her there was another piece in the gum which seemed to be almost on the surface, and I thought with a little help I could remove it. She told me to let it alone; that if one piece came away unassisted, another would also.
I showed this piece of bone to all who were interested, and also took it to the dentist I had last consulted. He wished to examine my gum, which I let him do, and he tried to take out the piece of bone which was still there, but could not. When I again saw the practitioner, I told her what I had done, and I also had to tell her that the bone was no longer near the surface. She was sorry I had let any one meddle with it; told me that if I was having Christian Science treatment I must depend solely upon the truth. This I fully intended to do, as I felt very grateful for the benefit I had received in less than one week; but members of my family and friends seemed much concerned and predicted serious trouble if the bone was not removed immediately. I was finally prevailed upon to have it taken out, and the practitioner was telephoned to stop treatment. After this my condition became worse than ever before, and the suffering was terrible. I went from one physician to another, but grew worse and worse. Each one pronounced the trouble something different, but all agreed that my only hope was in an immediate operation. They declared the whole jawbone on that side of my face must be removed and a silver plate inserted, and two physicians acknowledged to my wife that even then my recovery was doubtful.
Such was my condition when in July, 1904, I again sought the Christian Science practitioner who had helped me so much the April previous. I would have appealed to her long ere this, but was ashamed to return. Now I had reached the extreme end, and my only hope was to receive spiritual aid and comfort. I promised her that if she again took my case I would be faithful. She told me she expected to leave the city in two days, to be away three or four weeks, but would help me while she remained at home. She gave me treatment that morning, and that night I had the first natural rest since the time she had previously helped me. After she left, great fear took possession of me and also of my household, and within twenty-four hours I was seized with such intense pain that even large doses of opiates had no effect whatever. We then thought of the husband of the practitioner, who was sent for, and I was instantly relieved. He now took my case until his wife's return, and my physical condition began to improve. I was soon able to do some work nearly every day, and by September I felt well enough to work at what is called hard labor every day.
