I desire to bear testimony to the efficiency of Christian Science in what I consider a most remarkable case. I have waited three years for the following reason: in consulting the best authorities on the disease during the time of my daughter's affliction, I found it the consensus of opinion that when a patient had passed a period of two years without a reappearance of the disease, it was conclusive of an absolute cure; if there should be a return of the symptoms later than this, it must be considered a new case. Hence, I have not only allowed the required two years to elapse! but have waited three years.
In the summer of 1905 our daughter, then five years of age, showed symptoms of a nervous disease. These gradually grew worse, and the spells were of longer duration; then light spasms, which gradually increased in violence until she would fall and lose all consciousness. The spasms occurred frequently, night as well as day, and numbered from eight to over thirty in the twenty-four hours. Her mentality was affected, also her memory; she lost all desire to amuse herself or to be amused. Still she grew worse, until the spasms would leave her in a paralyzed condition. Our family physician was called at the start, and found the symptoms puzzling, for while they pointed to epilepsy in a general way. they were adverse "in the minor details. On his advice I called the other local physicians, one at a time, but could get no encouragement. Osteopathic treatment was suggested at one time, and a course of that treatment had; but she was no better.
In the early stages of the trouble, I took her to the city and consulted an oculist, thinking the trouble might come from the eyes; but they were pronounced all right. She also underwent a minor operation for adhesions, which are supposed sometimes to cause such trouble. Still the spells grew more severe, more frequent, and of longer duration. I then consulted one of the most prominent physicians in a near-by city, who also pronounced it a case of epilepsy, but gave us some hope. We tried his treatment, and kept the child on a strict diet for a period of three months; still with no results. Having reached the end of our resources, we were awaiting the time when we could take her to the university to consult the best authorities there upon the disease. This was done at the suggestion of a brother who is a medical practitioner, and who was as much puzzled over the case as any of the other physicians.
