ONE of the latest dictionaries defines "diagnosis" as "the process of determining by examination the nature and circumstances of a diseased condition; the decision reached from such an examination; hence, any analogous examination or analysis" (New Century Dictionary). The word "diagnosis," therefore, can be applied to an analysis or examination of data or indications for the purpose of drawing conclusions incidental to a Christian Science treatment.
This Science can be practiced by students at any point between beginning and having become most proficient. The mental processes of different practitioners may be laborious and slow or may be quick and spontaneous. To some extent, however, all who practice this religion, whether for healing or for other purposes, have use for its diagnosis.
Naturally, the Christian Science diagnosis must be distinguished from any or every other; hence, Mrs. Eddy has made this distinction explicitly. She has made it with reference to ordinary medicine in "Christian Healing" 12:4-14 and in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" 462: 20. She has made it with respect to homeopathy in Science and Health 156:28. And she has distinguished the spiritual insight required for Christian Science practice from all other mind-reading in Science and Health 85: 1-18 and 94: 28-18. Thus, the last citation ends (95:13-18) as follows: "The greater or lesser ability of a Christian Scientist to discern thought scientifically, depends upon his genuine spirituality. This kind of mind-reading is not clairvoyance, but it is important to success in healing, and is one of the special characteristics thereof."
