TO the record of hundreds of wonderful cures of seemingly incurable diseases by Christian Science treatment I wish to add that of a dangerous malady for which I had been treated unsuccessfully by three physicians and four specialists in the treatment of lung diseases. I had been troubled with a cough for several years, which became worse, until in the spring of 1908 I had to cease work having the usual symptoms, including loss of weight and appetite. I was put to bed by the physician, and upon getting up slept outside for six weeks. I had great difficulty in breathing, and finally the physician admitted that he could do no more for me and ordered me to the West (I lived in Ohio). I went to Denver, and there was treated in a sanitarium. I improved a little, and returned East. In a month I was worse than ever and was told to go to California to stay. I could hardly walk, was unable to pack my trunk, and dared not take a sleeping-car on account of the cough.
In New Mexico I improved slightly at first, then got worse, and the doctor there sent me to El Paso. Tex., to a lung specialist, making the third specialist I had visited. He said I had a germ infection, and treated me with the remedies prescribed in such cases. I lay helpless nearly a week, could neither sleep nor eat, and had high fever. I felt an improvement for a while, then began to suffer with the most excruciating pains in the limbs, until I cried in agony. No doctor could relieve me from those pains for many days, but finally they went away, and feeling a little better I went to Los Angeles, Cal., where I rang the entire gamut of changes of medicines from the drug-stores, was treated by a physician, then consulted a Chinese doctor. I grew gradually worse, until I took a cold, — which occurred frequently with me, — and then I coughed so much that I dared not ride on the street-cars, dared not talk to any one, and was unable to sleep without a drug. In fact, I was miserable to the uttermost. My teeth became loose, and I was using special remedies. I then consulted the city bacteriologist of Los Angeles, and in his capacity of a public officer he treated me and made a microscopic examination. I became his private patient, and he tried various remedies, which in some instances seemed to help me. I had sought the best known authorities and physicians, but my case seemed to defy all known laws and baffled the skill of all physicians and specialists. I seemed to improve a little, but another cold made me worse, and while I was bad during the day I coughed terribly during the night. I felt ready to die. It seemed that neither money, medicine, nor climate could save me. I had the sympathy of every one I met, and tried all their remedies.
I then heard two words spoken by some one, two words that I had somewhere heard before, — "Christian Science." I consulted a practitioner, and while waiting in the anteroom I picked up some literature and started to read it. Then my eyes were opened, and the practitioner showed me that wonderful text-book, Science and Health, and explained it to me. While consulting him I coughed very little, and wondered why. I read throughout all that day, and went to a Christian Science meeting in the evening, and there I felt the potent influence of that environment, for I did not cough once during the hour of the meeting; but as soon as it was over I seemed worse than ever, and I had found the cause.
