The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-08-10


what blurred" it follows that it is
not easy to distinguish between an or
ganic and a functional disease, nor
would it be easy to distinguish be-
tween an organic disease which is
produced by functional troubles" and
one which is not occasioned by func-
tional troubles, and to be on the safe
side every individual afflicted with or
ganic or functional troubles should
avail himself of Christian Science
treatment lest he should be neglecting
a means Of recovery.
The doctor declares that he has
grouped the one hundred cases whoch
he has Analysed" in four classes:
First, 72 in which" he finds ION care
full study, reasonably good evidence for
the diagnosis of functional or nervous
disorder. Second, seven cases of what
appears to he ~ ganic disease. Third.
II cases very difficult to class, but
probably belonging in the functional
group. Fourth. 10 cases, regarding the
diagnosis of winch no reasonable coz
lecture gar be made"
Testimonies Verified.
May l state parenthetically at this
point that the testimonies published in
the Christian Science periodicals have
all been carefully verified, but that to
avoid nourishing and enlarging the
thought of disease, its elaborate de-
scription is eliminated from them.
These descriptions, which are usually
given by those who send in their tes-
timony, but which are omitted out of
consideration for the young especially
give the details of diagnosis and of
painful experiences as the result of
operations and drug treatment which
distinctly emphasize the seriousness of
the maladies endured.
Hence, in an investigation into the
merits Of given cases, and into the eff
ficacy Of Christian Science treatment
for all disorders, whether organic or
functional, an examination of the una
bridged testimonies would greatly en-
large and strengthen the evidence that
upon the basis of expert diagnosis by
physicians of the most unquestioned
standing, Christian Science must be
credited with having proved efficient
in healing cases of every variety of ill,
whether organic or functional. with
which poor humanity is afflicted.
What DR.. Cabot means by careful
study" is not stated. DR.. Cabot does
not make clear whether or not he made
any investigation outside of a mere
consideration of the wording of the tas.
timonies. Neither is it stated why the
doctor concluded" that the II cases
very difficult to class probably" be
long to the functional group.
Evidently it was his desire to be
charitable to himself and give the ben
eft of the doubt to his own side Of
the question. Otherwise he might have
said that these doubtful cases probably
belong to the organic group, or he
might have added these IL cases to the
fourth group, regarding the diagnosis
of which he declares mo reasonabls
conjecture can be made"
Would Have an Equal Chance.
Then the organic class would have
an equal chance with the functiona
group. Not very long ago, one medica
authority went so far as to declare
that many organic diseases were nerv
GUS disorders. Such an authority adds
still more to the confusion, and W,
begin to wonder if, after all, our medi
cal brethren know any more about the
real nature and cause of the disease
than Christian Scientists.
While we make this statement w,
are well aware of the ability of our dis
tinguished brethren to make a physi
cal diagnosis Of disease, and we ar,
not unmindful that in this respect the,
possess an accomplishment to whicl
the Christian Scientist makes no pre-
fences whatever except what he learn
by observation and experience and pos
sibly some reading on the subject.
But the real question is, after all
what is the foundation of both func
tional and organic disorders? If b
correcting the mental conditions of
patient both organic and functiona
troubles are healed, we have the ev
dence that an erroneous mental cond
ton was the foundation of the disease
and we believe that ere long DR.. Cabo
and all the host of medical men wi
have arrived at this conclusion an
will note the fact that notwithstandin
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