The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-03
TUESDAY, JANUARY ;, 1899.
The chri.atan Science HumbuE.

IL ESDA1. JANbAR1 j. leN9-
The Christian Science Bumbug.
In a careful study OF the provisions for
the government OF this municipality in the
new year. we find nothing in relation to
q more thorough regulation OF the practice
OF medicine. Considering the impoEtance
of the subject and especially the long
prevalence OF epidemic diseases such as
diphtheria and scarletina the omission Is
worthy of ncte. That there has besn
neglect Of the first rules OF sanitation on
the part OF some of the persons who are
associated with patients having contagious
diseases. the failure to limit the ravages
Of the epidemic proves; and it is a fair
assumption that the physicians are not as
strenuous in imposing regulations en-
those about their patients, either through
ignorance or indifference, as they should
he. Then. too the qualifications Of per-
sons who accept the care of the sick can
not be too carefully investigated. 1t IS q
fact OF common knowledge that Washing
ION is infested TO an extraordinary extent
with unqualified charlatans 10 the danger
not only Of people OF mature years, bit
also Of children who are incapable of de-
1ermining fer themselves the kind Of trest-
ment they require 1t is in the interest
OF children and of easily deluded men and
women that the community should be
freed from the mischievous quacks 70
matter what narae they may give to their
systems.
The sacrifice Of so valuable a life as
that OF the late Harold Frederic, who. in
his weakened state, when his judgment
was impaired. allowed a Christian Science
woman to GsuIp the place OF his physi-
clans. has aroused the attention OF all
England &c the increasing evils OF the var
ious faith cure doctrines. The result will
be mere stringent enactments to protect
human lives. Melody who is well INFORM
ed denies the influence Of mind over the
functions Ct the different organs. II is
possible in certain circumstances. TO af-
feet TIC mind CT 4 patient in such way
as TO improve The condition OF disoTdeTed
and perhaps a diseased organ. While the
medical profession has neglected moral
therapeutics until recently, it does not
foilce lhat persons who are ignorant of
the location. function, and structure of the
bodily organs are most competent 10 give
mental CT neral treatment The fact that
as Christian Science and other similar
systems become more audacious and as
sgme TIC treatment OF acute disorders.
the eeaths aincng their patients increase
Is undcI5alle and single death IS fatal
10 their p-etensions. 1t is surely time
;haJ I'd. children aud impr5szioHable per
sons q aay age should be protected
against their ignorance ana their daring
cupidlty.
Organized society has right to pre-
scribe a decent respect FOR whatever is
sacred to a large body of its members.
Processing 10 exercise the power Of Jesus
Christ 70 cure disease. protesting TO BE-
his followers, the Christian Scientists
shock the moral sense by making OF their
alleged power a merely commercial use
The dollar IS the enc purpose Of their
activity. Society does not believe that
the diseases that affiot the human boiy.
including The contagious disorders that as
sumo an epidemic form, are the creations
If a dizoetered fancy. 1t prescribes com
puIsory vaccination for the prevention Of
smallpex- "a prescribes the seciusion of
persons afflicted with diphtheria scarlet
tina, ard ether diseases, and the disin-
lection II bedding, clothing. etc. 1t I'M
poses Quarantine regulations on persons
who come from region where disease is
epidemic In this way it assumes the
right .u protect people from diseases
which have been proved to be due to
specific germs or microbes. II is not
merely indifferent TO the doctrine that
disease is = deiusion, but is directly and
positively antaEonistic It has already
aIfiraed Us utter disbelief in Christian
Science by compelling everybody who is
.issoa5aIcd with certain sick people 10
recognize the existence of the contagious
qualify 81 the disease, the microbes. and
TO Ehe steps 10 prevent their distrihu-
ton. j has already imposed regulations
involving the principle that is fatal TO
Christian Science theories.
In mos' communities in this country
there are laws which prohibit anybody
who has Eot a degree from medical col
iege from affixing II. d. to his name ana
from us.Eg the tile doctor with the in
tention OF praeticing medicine Also. a
person wtC IS not legally qualified 10 prac-
tioe IS not allowed 10 collect fees or ae-
eept ans compensation whatever for tle
treatment q The sick. This is fair and
IL is enerUyo. By making it an ofense
for Christian Science healer-a humble
follower Of the Saviour for dollar 4 fol-
ioa-to accept, directly or indirectly, any
compensation Ger treating sick people, the
whole lot wiil be driven out OF business.
In the case OF children there should be
distinct provision prohibiting the employ
ment Of anybody vino IS not authorized
and licensed TO practice medicine. There
is no reason why we should wait until the
death Of some prominent person from a
reliance on faith cures arouses the public
10 the growing evil. Having taken the
stand 1t has. that disease is very real