Editorial May 12, 1906 Issue

As to Restricitive Legislation

ARCHIBALD MCLELLAN

THOSE who have endeavored to obtain legislation against the practice of Christian Science have usually tried to show that there is a popular demand for such legislation; but it is now pretty thoroughly understood that this is not true, and that the animus of these attempts to obtain restrictive legislation lies with the physicians.

Several years ago interested parties succeeded in having a law passed in Ohio which the Supreme Court of that State has construed to mean that Christian Scientists may practise if they do not receive fees for such practice. At the present session of the Ohio legislature Christian Scientists endeavored to have the law amended in a manner more just to them, and it was found that the opposition to the amendment was entirely from the doctors. The Toledo Blade says that at the hearing before the committee "there were present some thirty physicians in opposition to the amendment." The fact is that the people at large are not opposed to the practice of Christian Science, and this is because there are now very few persons who have not in some way been brought into contact with the beneficiaries of this healing truth. What Christian Science is doing in healing the sick is shown by the following typical testimony, which we copy from the April issue of The Christian Science Journal. This testimony was written by Stephen C. Maynard, D.D.S., San Jose, Cal., and is as follows:—

"I was taken sick about August, 1901, and was treated by a physician, who called my complaint enlargement of the liver with gastric complications. There was no improvement in my condition, but gradually I grew worse. Becoming discouraged, I changed physicians. The second one announced a complication of diseases, and there was no improvement under his treatment. In October, 1901, I went to Gilroy Hot Springs. I grew worse there and returned in a critical condition, gave up my practice and continued treatment.—medicine and washing out of the stomach, with a very limited diet. The doctor finally pro nounced the ailment neurasthenia of the stomach. I got no better, and December 24, 1901, consultation was held. They were at a loss to know what to do. I was vomiting blood and could retain nothing whatever in my stomach. My weight just before my sickness was one hundred and ninety-eight pounds. I now weighed only one hundred and forty-three pounds.

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