The month of January, 1900, found me a patient a hospital at Memephis, Tenn., suffering from a severe case of lung trouble. I had gone there from Shelby, Miss., where I had been sick more or less for the previous year. I was examined by one of the ablest physicians in the State. The State bacteriologist, after the usual test, reported unfavorably, and my treatment was what is usually prescribed in such, cases. I improved for a. while in the hospital, but finally my physician frankly informed me that he could do nothing for me towards a permanent cure. He recommended a climatic change, advising that I at once go to Southern California; and as I was only twenty-six years of age, he thought there was a chance for me in that climate. I went to Riverside. Cal., and while there had treatment from three different physicians in as many months, but grew worse steadily. Bowel trouble was now added to the lung affection, also other alarming symptoms. I feared that I could not get well and grew discouraged, then became indifferent and reckless. After trying Long Beach, Cal., but not receiving much if any benefit, I decided to try the dry mountain air of Arizona. I went to Prescott, Ariz., taking up my residence in a tent among the pines on the mountains. Close to me, living in tents, were six other poor unfortunates in different stages of lung trouble. I took treatment from one of the best physicians in Prescott, but found no relief. Sciatic trouble was now added to my sufferings, while the other symptoms were even more severe. I went down rapidly, and my hopes of getting well sank lower and lower. I felt many times that death would be welcome, as it would bring relief.
I was scarcely able to move around at the time I heard of Christian Science. I inquired for some one who knew something about it, and was directed to a practitioner residing in Prescott. July 7, 1900, I took my first Christian Science treatment, and daily treatment thereafter. In a few days I began to improve, and the treatments were continued for about three months, combined with the reading of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. My recovery was slow but encouragingly sure. One by one my ailments went out,—disappeared. Among the last to yield was the rheumatic trouble, which disappeared instantly after being treated one evening. After a few treatments my appetite ' improved rapidly and in a short time I found myself eating all kinds of food, including fruit.
I am now a well man entirely. My present weight is about one hundred and seventy-five pounds, although since my recovery I have at times reached one hundred and eighty-five pounds. Since my healing I submitted to a physical examination and was pronounced by the examining physician to be in perfect health, with no signs of trouble in the lungs or elsewhere. I am now engaged in active business requiring long hours and close attention.
