Operation not Needed

Albert Whiffen

In October, 1900, I had my leg broken about two inches above the ankle. The doctor called it a compound fracture; the leg was so badly crushed the foot was only held on to the leg by the sinews; the bones of the leg protruded about three inches. The flesh and ossiferous tissue was all removed from the bone for about two inches. The first surgeon sent for refused to do anything more than bind up the leg and foot so that I could reach the hospital. He expected me to die on the way. I had been thrown fifty-two feet. The accident occurred about 3 P.M. I got to my room about 5.30 P.M., and sent for a Christian Scientist. I received treatment at once. Up to that time treated myself.

We sent for one of the best surgeons in Memphis. He and his partner came (I had refused to go to the hospital) about 8 P.M. They examined the leg, pronounced it a very bad case, said they could only bandage it up for the night and have an operation in the morning. They informed me that I would have to lie in bed for at least two months, and that I could not walk for a year at least, and would always have a stiff ankle. I received another treatment about 10 P.M., and we all realized then and there that I was healed,—the bone had knitted together.

The surgeon came the following morning with four others to perform the operation, but I refused to have it done. The doctors said the foot would rot off, gangrene would set in, and more than likely I would lose my leg. But my faith in God never wavered. I knew He was omnipotent. The surgeon was, to say the least, angry. When he removed the bandage that was put on the night before he was a very much surprised man, the leg looked so well. The doctor, after laying the leg back in bed pulled hard enough on the toes of the broken foot for me to feel the sensation in the hip. Had he pulled as hard the night before he would have pulled the foot at least three inches away from the leg, as was done when they were cutting off the shoe after the accident occurred.

That was proof enough that I was healed. I did not suffer any pain from the first. There was no swelling in the foot or leg, and not even the slightest trace of fever. I missed but one meal, that was supper the first night. After the first day the bandaging was done by my room-mate. I had no plaster cast or any artificial support except a wooden splint that I whittled out to put on the leg after I got up, for I had some fear. No one lost one moment's sleep on account of it, for no one set up with me, even the first night. I remained in bed eleven days; was on the street and attended our Wednesday evening meeting in four weeks; went to work in eight weeks, and to-day can walk without crutch or cane. My ankle is without flaw or blemish, every joint moves as freely as the other one. My health was and is perfect. No one except Christian Scientists expected me ever to walk again. I have ample proof for every statement made. There is no God like unto our God. My heart overflows with gratitude to God for Christian Science as revealed through "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures."

Albert Whiffen, Memphis, Tenn.

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Testimony of Healing

Healed by Christian Science

April 4, 1901

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