The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-04-12
A Basis OF Legal Protection Against
Christian SCIENCE homicides.

Christian Science HomicideS.
In not less than six recent instances,
coroners' juries have returned verdicts
holding preachers and teachers Of
Christian Science" responsible for
deaths arising from their teachings in
the neglect Of suitable medical attend
ance. We have carefully p|used a
number Of thec. c.s.ssS1And of ex-
pressions OF opinion concerning them;
and while the believers in this so-called
science are unanimous in denouncing
the action of the civil authorities, the
opinion Of most other persons is that
the pursuit Of an unusual creed to the
point where it ends in virtually the
murder OF the innocent needs to be
checked by law. II possible. irrespective
OF the creed's abstract merits.
The point under consideration is well
illustrated in the case of Leila Mead
the ten-year-old daughter Of Colonel
and Mrs. B. F. Mead, Of Dayton, o.
Seven weeks ago, Leila took sick, and
Mr.. and Mrs. Hatten, professional faith
curists, were called in. One week ago,
Leila died, OF tubercular meningitis.
Coroner Lee Corbin made thorough
investigation and we append some por-
tIons Of his long verdict:
While find that the child was most ten
derly and affectionately nursed by its pa
rents and friends, also find that they had
at no time in the course OF the disease
any proper conception of the nature or
treatment Of IT.; nor. indeed did they, in
their strangely misguided ideas, care to
have any such knowledge. They neither
sought for medical advice, nor used any
rational means to relieve, pain or prolong
life. The zeal and determination Of those
directly in charge Of the child, to carry
out strictly and exclusively a peculiar
treatment, indorsed only by the So
called Christian Scientists" was such
that the disease was allowed to run It's
course untreated None OF the well-estab-
lshed means to relieve head pains, which
are properly characterized as Intense and
agonizing," In meningeal tuberculosis,
were used On the other hand the testI-
mony taken in the examination showed
that during the period of the disease In
which the palms are the most severe the
child was taken out riding. thus doubtless
aggravating the head pains, when the
most rigid quietness Of a darkened room
would have been prescribed by the intel
ligent medical adylser. Everything con-
s!dered. 1t will not be putting 1t too strong
ly to say that the life Of an innocent child,
OF the age of immature judgment has
been shortened. Therein lies the cause
Tor seyerest condemnation OF the parents
the natural guardians and protectors OF
the child, not Intentionally guilty, to he
sure, yet unfortunately the results are the
same. Granted that the autopsy did indI-
cate that the child had what with a few
exceptions Is usually q fatal disease, this
does not ameliorate the conditions, for the
reason that the parents, together with
those employed as healers In the case. en-
phasized the statement In their testl-
mony that their system treats all all
ments and diseases of whatsoever kind
durable or incurable precisely alike. ON
the part OF the parents, the principals in
the case, they are guilty of a "sin," not of
commission, but OF omission, and both are
equal In the eyes Of the law. Granted that
they did the best. according to their be-
lief" for the child, yet the fact stands out
plainly that they omitted to do all
3udiced common sense demands that pa
rents should do for their offspring under
similar circumstances. The Hattens we
consider as accompllces, and are guilty
Tor the reason that they encouraged the
parents In their unnatural negligence.
1t may be, as Mrs. Sarah Wilder
Pratt, in letter to Chicago paper.
says, that attention to what the Spirit
teacheth will take birthmarks from the
face and eruptions, freckles and all
unsightliness; that 1t will make the
lame to leap and praise God and many
more things besides" 1t may be that
the power of faith will knit together
severed limbs, heal broken heads and
calm violent fevers arising from the
systemtic ravages of millions upon
millions of alien bacilli. These opin-
ions, when honestly held, are not the
subject OF objection. We suspect that
the worst skeptlc would be glad to be
able to believe them. The point at Is
sue is whether the parent who does be-
iisve them has any legal right to take