The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1907-06-04
A BLOW at christian science.

aged seven years, which was alleged
have resulted from neglect From Il
evidence adduced this fact was establishes
resulting in the arrest of Mr.. and Mr.
Edwin W. Watson, who were held und,
81 900 bail for their appearance at cour
Concerning a death under such cirouu
stances very little can be found in th
statutes. The following paragraph, how
ever, covers. this case: cit is we'll settle
that if a parent, being able, fails throug
culpable negligence to provide food
shelter, medical attendance and othe
necessaries for the dependent child, an
thereby causes the child's death, he
guilty Of granddaughter at least
Granville N. Watson was taken i'll o
Tuesday, May 81, and he died on the fol
lowing Sunday.
DIR. F. g. Stroud, physician of tn
Moorestown Board Of Health, to whicl
body he reported the case, after refus
ing to give burial permit, said tina
on Saturday morning Ferdinand Wat
son, a brother of the deceased callet
on the witness and asked that he 60 to tn
house and make diagnosis. IF go
will want to treat the child" suggested
the doctor. Ferdinand said they did no
want him to do that, but after his arriva
the mother requested treatment Thu
child was in 8 comatose state with tenn
perature at 104 degrees. The father asked
DR.. Stroud to give certificate of death
which he refused. DR.. Stroud and DR.
Stokes made post norton at the request
of the coroner, to whom the findings were
reported. Witness said the parents only
offered prayers for The recovery of the
child. and had no physician in attendance.
Mrs. Strobe was there, and the folks said
they had no physician because they were
Christian Scientists With that belief
they only offered up prayers. Because of
the child's high fever the parents wanted
diagnosis made. The post norton, made
on Monday, disclosed the fact that death
was caused by meningitis superinduced
by pneumonia. The parents had been told
that the child could cot get well, but the
mother replied Eyes it will, God gave us
the child and He will not take it away
from u.s." DIR. Stroud said if he had a
child afflicted as Granville was, he GER
tainlY would call in physician. In this
present century no person need go with
out doctor. If they are poor they can
get medical attention from the county.
DR.. Joseph Stokes testified that when he
called at the house the father said the
child was not sick, only having bad
cold, but witness said it had been quite
i'll since Tuesday. From this attitude it
was difficult to rely on the statements
made by the parents. Considering the
case hopeless, DR.. Stokes turned to the
father and said: 81 believe this child is
seriously ILL.," ''No." he replied, that is
not So"
Doctor, If this child had been properly
treated, on Tuesday, could it have been
curedP ?" was the question interjected by
Aaron E. Burr, one of the juryman.
Il believe proper treatment would have
averted the meningitis, /" replied the ply
'ician. EARLY treatment in cases of
pneumonia frequently prevent the patient
from dying. Not to treat it, in my opin-
on, is taking criminal risk"
Resuming his testimony Dr. Stokes said
hat when the child was in comatose
they told him it was not sick
In answer to a hypothetical question,
by Thomas B. Hall, of Camden,
who represented the defendants, DR..
Stokes said the parents should be held
responsible. Dr. Stokes said
he questions asked by the attorney were
10 scientifically inaccurate that it was diff
icult for him to give scientific answer.
DR.. Nathan Thorn was present at the
and he confirmed the state
nents of the two physicians as to the cause
If death.
Elizabeth Seaman, living next door
inquired of the parents, who said that on
Thursday and Friday the child was bad
they said they believed in their religion
ind Mrs. Starn. of Camden, and Mrs.
Strobe, of Tioga. Christian Scientists, were
Ferdinand Watson said his brother
vent to school Monday. Tuesday he was
lot well, Wednesday morning more severe
)ut conscious, Thursday about the same
md worse on Friday. Saturday morning
Granville seemed to be very restful, lying
yery quiet. Mrs. Strobe told him to go
or physician, which action was to com
ply with the law. The child did not rec
,gnize witness on Saturday and was not
conscious after that. 1--WE believe in
Christian Science, he said, II don't be-
ieve in medicine. No matter what the
lilment, would not call in a physician.
We called in a doctor, which is custom
n our profession or religious belief. The
falling in of physician was to comply
With the law. SO as to get burial certiti-
cate. My mother prayed, and Mrs. Strobe
lid the same thing in Tioga. She was
'nly at the house once. / saw mother
Five Ferdinand some medicine.
Mrs. A. Clara Starn said she was
riend of the family and member of the
christian Science Church, of Camden.
Ferdinand said his mother had done all
he could and he asked me to come up"
aid the witness. 1--WE make no charge,
nd - tho notionf 10 haolad the fo,,;lx, I'LL
Jay for the treatment. We believe that
Christ will heal by the aid of prayer. We
lon't claim to have any special efficacy
christian Science practitioners should
Keep their minds pure. We are not
Jailed healers, but Christ is the great heal
IT. We are the avenue through which
purity is carried to the patient | have
,een practitioner four years. Mrs Wat
ION gave me 81, but it was a voluntary
There is quite demand
for the performance of this work was
lue to die with consumption, and it was
3od who cured me after my physician
failed. / don't think it is necessary to
have physician. What God can do is
enough. Physicians are all right, but /
don't believe in the power of medicine to
heal"
Mrs. Strobe, the next witness, said "her
treatment consisted of Christian Science
prayer. In advising the family to call
physician, knew it wouldn't keep God
from working. do not wish to violate
the law. 1t don't require any certificate
to practice Gods teachings We do not
give this treatment Unfortunately, but
pray for members of our church. When
we are rendered money we accept it.
practice in this county when requested to
do so. The efficacy of the treatment is
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