Editorial July 8, 1972 Issue

Light in the Sickroom

Naomi Price

The power of scientific understanding is a mighty healing influence. When it is applied to the sick, they are often restored to health in one treatment. Frequently, when the practitioner's work is thoroughly done, and the patient is receptive to Truth, there is not even a short period of convalescence.

However, Mrs. Eddy recognized that although she herself was usually able to destroy ill health in from one to three visits, the tenacity of false mortal belief in sickness is so strong that her followers sometimes would be obliged to work persistently over a longer period in order to heal their patients. She foresaw that in such cases it could mean that for a time skilled nursing care would be needed in order to ensure cleanliness and order in the sickroom, to see that proper food would be served to the patient, and to maintain a spiritual atmosphere in his heart and home.

In order to supply these needs, the Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy provides for Christian Scientists, both men and women, to perform the duties of nurse on the case while Christian Science treatment is being given by a practitioner. These devoted individuals are not unskilled amateurs. According to the Manual, they must be highly qualified. Mrs. Eddy writes, "A member of The Mother Church who represents himself or herself as a Christian Science nurse shall be one who has a demonstrable knowledge of Christian Science practice, who thoroughly understands the practical wisdom necessary in a sick room, and who can take proper care of the sick."^{Man., Art. VIII, Sect. 31;}