Article April 17, 1915 Issue

As you have given space to a statement of the opposition...

W. C. Williams—Baltimore, Md.

The Star

As you have given space to a statement of the opposition to the bill in the New York legislature legalizing the practice of Christian Science, kindly allow room for a statement from a Christian Scientist. The opponent quoted gave as his reasons for opposing the bill the protection of the public health and the safeguarding of children. It is well known that the health and longevity of Christian Scientists are at least equal to the average, and that of their children far beyond the average.

The Christian Scientist has, as a rule, tried all other systems of healing before turning to Christian Science treatment; after proving its superiority, they would be criminal parents who willingly allowed their children to have other treatment. It is admitted by officials that Christian Scientists are more prompt than the average in reporting cases of so-called infectious diseases. They know as much about diseases as other citizens, and as it is a rule, owing to the present laws, that they give contagious diseases into the hands of physicians, a physician is called to diagnose such suspected cases at once.

This opponent contends that "the only thing the state asks of persons practising medicine is that they have a minimum educational requirement showing their capability of diagnosing disease." This minimum is usually four years' study, plus experience, and according to the recent hospital case in New York, even this does not go very far in diagnosing disease. An investigation of Bellevue hospital showed that 47.7 per cent of the diagnoses of diseases in that hospital were erroneous, and the superintendent said that that was a good showing.

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