The San Francisco call., 1898-01-22

Dr. John F. Morse, of the Board of Health, said yesterday that the woman had good reason to congratulate her self on having escaped so easily. "She deserved to be fined s50O0 and given life imprisonment for her conduct" said the doctor. When a class of people defies the health laws as was done in this case no punishment can be too se- were. Here was a child allowed to die from one of the most dreaded of dis eases without proper medical treat ment and the case was not even re- ported to the authorities that proper steps might be taken to prevent the spread of the contagion. If such things are permitted how can the people ex- pect to be protected?"
 The followers and practitioners of the faith-cure take a decidedly different view of the matter. Several of the most pronounced Christian Scientists in the city were seen and expressed the opinion that the action of the Judge was due in a great measure to preJu- dice and ignorance.
 Miss $. F. Bradshaw, who is looked upon as the leader of the faith in San Francisco, said she was well aware of the hostility to Christian Science felt by the medical profession and people generally who did not believe in 1t, and she presumed this hostility would con- tinue; but she asserted that the belief in the faith-cure was constantly grow ing.
 We are a law-abiding people," said Miss Bradshaw, but there are some laws that are unjust; for instance, the law that provides that none but regu- larly licensed practitioners shall minis ter to the sick"
 Then you believe this Kansas City woman was justified in not reporting a case of contagion to the authorities 9"
 Well, that depends upon circum- stances, and we don't know all the cir cumstances surrounding this case. It would do no good to create needless alarm in a community. although there might be occasions when it would be well to adopt some safeguards. Con tagion, you know, is due in a great measure to fear. as, for instance, In yellow fever epidemics, and if the fear of the people is not aroused there is little danger Moreover, we hold that Christian Science prevents the spread of disease as well as cures sickness it. self: in other words, that faith wards off disease.
 "As I said before, we are a law-abid- ing class and strive to observe the law in every detail. Take vaccination, for instance. We do not believe in 1t, but the law compels it, and so when a per son is vaccinated we allow 1t to work just enough to satisfy the requirements of the law and then endeavor to check further spread of the innoculation. If this were not done the person vaccinat- ed might suffer from a most painful sore that perhaps would temporarily disable the arm. The regular doc tors, however, let it run on and heal itself. Sometimes we recognize a higher law than that of man, and in obeying the higher law we feel that we have not violated any other"
 What would you do were a case of contagion to come under your care; would you feel in duty bound to report it to the health officers?"
 That is difficult to answer. Never having had such a case I hardly know what I would do. Of course some peo- pie might regard case as contagious that I would not consider such.'
 Mrs c. M. Howe, another prominent healer by the faith-cure. went even fur ther than Miss Bradshaw.
 ''we do not believe in contagion." said she, flor the reason that we pre- vent it. As for this Kansas City af- fair 1t would be better to know all the