New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-24
VIEWS OF PHILADELPHIA IN 0lOiA-''
TX PRESENT LAWS ARE INADEQUATE NE" ONES
SHOULD BE ENACTED.

phuoAsInb,a. June 20 Specialize. Soils Cohen
,,.astdsrt ~ the County Medical Society. and the
1,,ce- nresidents j. H. Musser and George H. Shoe-
maker have given their views on the suoJec' Vi
the deaths Of patients under the care OF Chr's'ia
scientists They were emphatic in the statement
that II there is no law in this state under "hlCh
Christian Scientists be punished for preventing
proper medical care OF patients. such law should
be enacted. .,
Concerning the legal aspect OF the question:
said President Cohen Il am unable to give an
opnion that would be Of any value There can De
no doubt that the so-caed Christian Science rests
upon a deiusion 10 the nature OF the rnoroio
processes in the human body and the means by
which they can be combated This delusion may
be an honest but II Is none the less dangerous
..If II were merely a question Of a man OF pre-
,umablv sound mind choosing TO risk his own life
and health In the hands OF these healers, would
not be Inclined TO interfere. 1 do not think the
State s called upon TO protect people against their
foolishness
But important issues in public health are in
voved which give the State the right to interfere
In order 10 protect children and other helpless per
sons from their parents guardians who may
d-ny them proper medical attention. Moreover
these issues give the State the right 10 interfere In
order 10 protect the community against the spread
Of contagious diseases. for If diphtheria. for
ample should be treated by Christian Science meth
DDS to the neglect Of proper precautions against
the spread OF infection many lives might be lost"
Vlce-President Musser said
The pretension Of Christian Science has no
foundation in fact or reason; IT Of mys
tcism 10 degree that always, strange TO say
charms many people So long as people are sus-
ceptble TO such charming there will be devotees of
the faith. The misfortune is that persons mentally
unbalanced without ability TO appreciate facts
and the laws pertaining to their scientific arrange
ments taken in by such mysticism. We cannot
say such people are ignorant that they re-
sponsible and cannot apply TO them the
laws that permit 10 control BY legal means such
classes. When their enthusiasm carries them so
p h e put times qnda law sbGuS en
For this class Of people laws should be made COM
polling them to be accountable for the vagares Of
Vice-President Shoemaker said: Il think every
one has perfect right TO his own opinion and a
right TO govern himself personally In accordance
with II. But when person assumes 10 extend
that right from himself 10 helpless children and
Others depending upon him, as to prevent their
receiving help In time of critical Illness after
injury, 1t is grave question. and the law should
The person to be blamed is not the mother whose
faith carries her 10 the faith healer In the death
struggles of her child. after severe burns for ex-
ample but IL Is the who falsely assumes
power TO heal and who, while charging fee. with
sons"
The District-Attorney will take up the case OF
faith. AT the Coroner's inquest the treatment was
explained by William F. Randall OF No. 1542 North
Thirteenth-st. , Who described his oGcupstion as
IT was brought out that Randall gave Craig the
treatment. Prosecution win be brought under Sec
tion Of an act TO protect against incompetent
The law Is against all unlicensed practitioners who
pretend to heal by any means OF agency what
1897 and has before been tried against Chris
tian Scientists.