In The Fall of 1899 I reached Seattle after a rough experience of several years in the Klondike country. From a physical standpoint I was in a bad way. I was troubled with a severe hernia, had several large bunches of varicose veins on my body, and was otherwise broken down in health. After consulting with a physician, it was decided that a surgical operation was necessary, so I went to a hospital, where five operations were performed on me. I was in this hospital five weeks, and when I left there, I was in a worse condition than before I was operated upon. ... I was compelled to wear a heavy canvas bandage with instructions to keep it on for at least six months. I did not gain in strength, for my vitality seemed exhausted.
After several weeks I went to San Francisco to consult with some specialists, who, after a very thorough examination, told me that I would never be able to lift or to do any hard walking again, and that my constitution was so broken down that they could not guarantee to cure me. With but little hope, however, I completed arrangements with them to begin a year's treatment, paying for it in advance, and agreed to come the following Monday for my first treatment.
It being Saturday, I concluded to go to San Mateo to see my sister, whom I had not seen for years, and my father and mother, who were visiting there. When I saw my sister, I was amazed at her appearance, for she was the picture of perfect health. The last time I had heard from her, she was preparing for a third surgical operation, and had been an invalid for years. Upon my questioning her, she told me that instead of an operation, she had tried Christian Science and had been healed. I had been very much opposed to Christian Science (as viewed from the standpoint of complete ignorance of the subject) for a number of years, so I only felt pity for my sister, who was so weak-minded as to be subject to such influence.
