DEATH OF A CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13355, 8 December 1906, Page 2 (Supplement)

DEATH OF A CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST.

AVER AS REMEDY FOR HEART

DISEASE.

Yet another remarkable ease of death in which deceased was a Christian Scientist who had ignored ordinary medical measures was inquired into at Hammersmith, where an inquest was held on the body of Harriett Georgina Louis, 53, who, while under Christian Science treatment, died suddenly at her husband's house at Qaeen's Mansions, Brook Given, Hammersmith. Adolph Henry Louis, formerly a merchant, husband of deceased, identified the body. He said that until eight, years ago bis wife had ill-health, but about 1898 she became a Christian Scientist, and enjoyed good health. Witness was a Christian Scientist now. though he was stow to become converted. On October 15 deceased felt unwell, and said she would see "Dr." Riley, a doctor of medicine* in America, but a Christian Science healer, who did not believe in medicine. On October 16 " Dr." Riley visited deceased. What did he do? —They prayed, and she felt better. Did "Dr." Riley make any examination?Xo. Witness paid a fee of one guinea per week to " Dr." Riley. Deceased suddenly dropped down in a faint on October 18. and died shortly afterwards. Witness sent for " Dr." Riley. Dr. Shepheard was also called, but death had taken place when he arrived. Lily von Arnswaldt, the adopted child of deceased, said she was a Christian Scientist. She sent for "Dr." Riley and also for Dr. Shepheard. Why?— Well, we know it is the law of the land to do that. What! To send for a doctor after death?—! thought she had fainted. Is it against your faith to send for a medical man during life?—lf the patient does not wish it. Then was it because deceased had become unable to express any opinion at all that you then called a doctor in?— Yes. Did" you think he could do any good?No answer. Was the reason you sent for the doctor because there might be trouble?— This witness was asked j concerning a, telegram sent to " Dr." Riley after the patient's death: "Please come at once. There is no death." She said the meaning of this was that there was no death to the spirit. Grace Bird, the maid, said she also was a Christian Scientist. She was a believer, but not a member of the church. Deceased -was firmly against the treatment of medical men, and always held that they never did her any good. Who suggested that a medical man should be sent for?—l did. Why?— Because 1 knew it was

THE LAW OF THE LAND, and thought it was necessary. Do you believe in medicine?—-No. Frank Lawrence

Riley, Hanover Square, and Montagu Road, Datchet, said he was a- Christian .Scientist practitioner. What does that mean? —It means that I pray for the sick. Witness said lie was M.D. of the University College of Missouri, but he was struck off the roll in 1897 when he became a Christian Scientist. He used the letters "M.D., C.S." after his name to show that he had been formerly a practitioner in medicine, but was now a Christian Scientist. But there is a slop and a comma between the D." and the "C"?— That is the way they have registered me i" Boston. Do you call yourself "Dr." Riley?— Some people, do. I prefer "Mr;" Devon correct them?—As a rule I do. Witness' treatment consisted simply of praying. Do you believe in illness? And indisease?—Yes. Witness said that if the patient suffered great pain and was not relieved by prayer he would call in a medical man. Christian Scientists did not believe in allowing anyone to suffer; they were humane. The patient was always at perfect liberty to call-in a doctor at any time. In the case of children with infectious diseases and in other wises witness had entered into an arrangement with medical men "whereby the latter would.sco that all was. right while the patient was treated as a Christian. Scientist. Dr. Shepheard, who was called in after death had taken place, said Mr. Riley told him at an interview that he treated deceased for lumbago. Dr. W. H. Wilvox, official analyst at the. Home Office, said the cause of death was syncope, the result of disease of tho heart. It was most important that in such a case there should have been medical treatment, but it was possible that the result would have been the same had a medical man been in attendance. The jury returned a verdict of " Natural death," and expressed the opinion that Mrs. Louis was capable of judging for herself. They also expressed the opinion that Mr. Riley -was not justified in using the letters "M.D." on his card, and that such a, proceeding on his part was misleading.

FATHER A.VD DEATH OF HIS .SOS'. In charging the grand jury at. the opening of the October, sessions of the Central Criminal Court the Recorder, in-the course of his address, referred to the prosecution of a defendant named Robert Fellowes Chisholme, an architect, of Rushall Avenue, Bedford Park, committed for trial charged with the manslaughter of his son. Defendant belonged to a body known as Christian Scientists. ( Xli body ignored medical aid, and the allegations against accused were that he wilfully neglected to call in medical aid when his son was ill, and the boy died eventually from diphtheria. The common law of the country was that a parent must provide proper medical aid for his children in case of sickness, and the neglect to do so rendered him criminally responsible if death occurred. Mr. Jyeycester subsequently made an application that the trial should stand over until the November sessions on the ground that the case was still under investigation before the police magistrate. The Recorder ordered the case to stand over, and said the grand jury would therefore probably not be troubled with the case at present.