The times., 1899-01-05
The Christian Science Humbug.


The medical profession has been very
tolerant of Christian Science" and kin
dred forms of chariatanism. 1t IS natu, al
that physicians should shrink from being
charged with jealousy and disposition
to monopolizc the business CT treating
the sick, but in the case of . widespread
and perhaps a growing evil OF this kind
they owe distinct duty to the public.
They know better than anybody else the
consequences of allowing unqualified per-
sons TO prey on the credulous sick and
they know how far the laws intended TO
prevent quackery are Inadequate. The
courts have often condemned tie prac-
tees Of the -healers," +" as they style them
selves. preachers have fIowned on their
religious claims and The newspapers have
ridiculed their methods, but nowhere has
the medical profession made an crganiz-
ed effort to promote effective legislation
against them. In nearly every State there
are laws regulating the practice OF meii-
cine but nowhere has there been a sue
even when patients have died under their
treatment. There is little doubt that a
strong presentation of the case against
them by representative body of phys:-
clans Of established reputation, OF all
schools, would result in legislation that
would save the ignorant or the credu.ous
from the danger of neglecting serious
conditions.
Probably every physician of large prac-
tice would admit that more harm is done
by the Christian Science" charlatans
than by any OF the specialists against
whom the laws we're originally directed
1t has been decided by society that per
sons who are ignorant of the very anat-
omy and physiology of the human body
should be prohibited from Offering them
selves for the medical care OF the sick
To effect this. the use of the title Of doc
tor Of medicine has been restricted and in
some places nobody except 4 registered
physician is allowed to accept a fee for
medical service. In all communities a
death certificate may be issued only by
such q physician. Either because OF the
language CT these enactments or the neg
lect of the authorities. the Christian
Science" people continue TO take eXclu-
siye charge Of patients and to receive pay
ment for their services. Perhaps The fact
that among their deluded employers are
people of standing and influence who are
rated as intelligent has something to do
with their immunity from prosecution.
Even in the instances where death follows,
there is nearly always an amiab,e regis
tered physician 10 grant a death certifcate
without noting that neglect is also a cause.
Apparently the District authorities have
not considered the question OF making Wig
orous and effective war on this dangerous
class. The community is infested with
Christian Science" faith and other
thealers' who are not registered as
physicians, who are not educated as
physicians, yet who are doing the
business of physicians. They do not
limit their operations TO persons of ma
ture years and seemingly sound intellect,
but as readily usurp the doctors place at
the bedside OF children. They are respon-
sible for more deaths than the public is
aware of, and this is why the medical pro-
fession is urged to take an aggressive atti-
tude. Many patients are intrusted to the
care Of "healer" and at the last moment,
when fatal termination is obvious, a reg
ular practitioner is called in and he reports
the death as due TO disease. This is true.
but the patient might have been saved by
an earlier medical treatment. II these i'm
posters are to be allowed TO do business with
impunity. all restrictions may as well be re-
moved. II is proved that it is new sys-
TEN Of medicine rather than new religion
which they claim the right to practice with
out permitting the law 10 inquire into their
qualifications. As such it should be sub
ject 10 regulation 10 the point of prohibi-
tion. It's inconsistencies alone are enough
to condemn it. The most devoted healer
will gS.Io dentist when he has the tooth
ache lh 10 the optician when his vision is
disor5ered. when his own bones are frac-
tured he appeals to the surgeon. Yet in
so grave Il matter as a typhoid fever in
another he applies his mummery solely for
personal gain. The community should be
protected from such deceivers as part of
the system of restricting the rayages of ep-
idemic diseases which. through their con-
fessed ignorance. may be widely extended.