Article August 23, 1913 Issue

Prompted perhaps by physicians, the coroner at Yonkers...

Morning Telegraph

Prompted perhaps by physicians, the coroner at Yonkers announced Friday that he would make an investigation of the death and treatment of Edward Whitney. What is there to investigate? The boy died at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William V. Whitney, of tuberculosis, and had been under treatment by a Christian Scientist. Two of his brothers had died of the malady, and he became ill with it eight months ago. His brothers had been treated by doctors from the time they became ill until they passed away, and Edward Whitney realized how futile were their efforts; wherefore he declared that he wished a Christian Science healer to treat him. His life was prolonged nearly a year. And now that he is dead the coroner begins an investigation. Again it may be asked, What is there to investigate? Is there a physician in all the land who will declare that he can cure this disease? There is not, and yet when a Christian Scientist attempts to cure a consumptive person, doctors raise their voices in protest, and if there is a death, willing coroners begin an inquiry.

H. Cornell Wilson of the Christian Science committee of publication, writing of the Whitney case, points out that while two relatives of the Whitney boy died of tuberculosis in Yonkers, there was no investigation. They were under doctors' care, and they died! Nothing was said or done about that. Last year in Yonkers one hundred and twenty persons died of tuberculosis, all of them presumably under the care of doctors, and not one case was inquired into by the coroner or any one else. When the hundred and twenty-first death occurred, and it was learned that the patient was under Christian Science treatment, then the coroner became busy and an inquiry was started. Mr. Wilson says: "A large number of persons in this state have been healed of tuberculosis by Christian Science, in many cases after doctors had expressed grave doubts as to their recovery. This is evidence to show that Christian Science is at least entitled to as much consideration as is accorded to medicine with all its admitted failures."

Christian Science does not rack the body of the sick man with poisonous drugs; it does not assume a solemn smug look in the presence of the ill. It brings hope and faith and a cheerful optimism into the sick-room, and it makes persons well sometimes where physicians fail. When doctors can effect cures, it will be time for them to wage war on Christian Science. But inasumch as they can guarantee nothing in the way of bodily health, they should hold their peace, they and their assistants.

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Prompted perhaps by physicians, the coroner at Yonkers...

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