The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-04-25

the death of a child whose parents be- ing of Christian Science belief refused to summon medical attention, exoner- ates the parents from criminal negli- gence under the Connecticut laws, yet he states that the child was a vic- tim of the parents unusual belief. This finding establishes a. precedent for ChristiaA scientists in this state, for under it, they are given the privf- 1ege of exercising the "absent treat ment'' so called which figured in the illness of the little Jordan boy.
 The evidence was taken in secret, in keeping with the custom of Coroner Wilson in all inQueSts, but the most striking portions of it are given publi- city in the finding of the Coroner re- turned today. The finding follows:
 I. the undersigned, Clifford B. Will son, Coroner, having notice of the death of Edwin P. Jordan. a white male. ten years old, late of the Town 18th day of April, A. D., 1910, died in the Town of Stamford, having view ed the body of the deceased and made immediate inquiry concerning his death. do hereby certify that said Edwin P. Jordan died in Stamford, on the 18th day of April, A. D., 1910, from toxaemfa superinduced by scarlet fe-
 The said child was ten years of age and lived with it's parents at 54 Bedford street. Stamford, Connecticut
 
 child as any other parents.
 On Thursday morning, April 7, 1910, before school time, the child was nau- seated, but as the mother thought the attack merely fit of stomach sickness she allowed him to start for schooT at the usual time. About nine thirty o'clock that morning, however, the child returned home feeling quite i'll. Mrs. Jordan thought he was suffering from German Measles. The father learned of his sons illness upon re- turning home for lunch at
 About nine o'clock on said day Mrs. Jordan called in Thomas H. Stagg, a ing in said Stamford, who, upon his arrivaIs found the child apparently suffering. He didn't complain of hay ing a headache. It was nauseatic tioners'', to use MT. Stagg's words, heal through prayer. We do not give any medicine.'' MT. Stagg again went to the house in the afternoon, and on Friday, Saturday. and Sunday morning, April 8, g, and 10.
 On Sunday morning MT. Stagg re queSted the parents. to select what ever physician they desired to make a diagnosis of the child's illness, as the Christian Science practitioners do not diagnose" and because he 'fthought it was a contagious disease and that quarantine should be established and abide by the quarantine laws abso- 5lutely."
 In accordance with this suggestion, Mrs. Jordan on Sunday aforesaid tele- phoned Dr. Charles E. Powell, a med ica1 practitioner of long experience, bers of the Jordan family professional 1y for some time. pr. Powell reach ed the Jordan House about half past nine o'clock that morning. After talk ing with the mother few minutes down stairs, he went to the child s room and found that he had a severe attack of scarlet fever and suspecte ed diphtheretic complications.
 Upon returning down stairs, pr. Powell asked for two glasses, suppos- ing he had been called in to treat 'I hope you won't be offended if we don't give the boy medicine, because we are Christion Scientists and believe in it and the power of God. ~Dr. Powell then told her that he was sor- ry to see the little boy so sick and rthat he was sorry she wouldn't let him ed that the boy would get well and asked pr. Rowell to notify the health officer, as she wished to obey the law. This was the only visit Dr. Powell made.
 Dr. Powell did advise Dr. Thomas J. Biggs, the City Health Officer for about ten o'clock the same Sunday morning. He diagnosed the sickness as well defined case of scarlet fever with a badly inf1amed throat. Upon inquiring as to who was the physician. the mother replied that there was none, that they were Christian Sc1en- lists. Dr. Biggs stated to the mother that stthe child was a very sick child, necessitating careful and close medi- cal attention and nursing. Mrs Jor- dan to this last remark said she had avery faith in Christian Science, and would not permit the child to take or receive medicine"
 pr. Biggs then offered his services gratis. but they were refused. He then placed the house under absolute quarantine and isolated the child in the room with it's mother This Quar- antine was maintained throughout the chiId's illness. sDr. Biggs went to the house Monday, the eleventh, and every other day up to and including the day of the chi1d's death, at each visit mak- ing suggestions relative to the treat 1r1ent of said child, but attention was paid to his advice.
 On Tuesday, April 18th, 1910, Miss Brown, a nurse, for whom Mrs Jor- She is a graduate nurse with consider able hospital experience, but of late, since adopting Christian Science. has not treated patients in medical ways. death and gave it her constant atten- tion in the way of bathing it and ad- minist ering milk.
 The said Thomas H. Stagg went to the Jordan home on two different oc- casions between Sunday, April 10th, and Thursday, April 14th, 1910, but did ouarantine On this Thursday night, he went into the sick room and stayed until the child's death, going in and out of said room. During all this time Mrs Jordan and the nurse, and also other Scientists in the City who had been made acquainted with the case.
 Owing to the quarantine regulations about the house, Edwin P. Jordan, ST., the father of the child, and his only other child lived at the Carlton House in Stamford. On two occasions pr. Powell met him on the street and ask nd a bow each time