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In the April 12 issue, TIME published a letter from Mr. B. Palmer Lewis representing the Christian Science Committee on Publication for the State of New York, in which he quoted a statement from Mr. Howard Chandler Christy testifying that, after partial blindness, Mr. Christy's sight was restored 28 years ago through Christian Science.
Just about the time when Mr. Howard Chandler Christy's blindness is alleged to have been overcome, and his sight restored through Christian Science, Dr. Park Lewis of Buffalo, N. Y., a noted ophthalmologist, was busy with the formation of an organization now known as the National Society for the Prevention of Blindness. Dr. Park Lewis is vice president of both this Society and the International Association for Prevention of Blindness which he was active in establishing at The Hague in 1929. We have asked him to comment on the letter of Mr. B. Palmer Lewis, and it occurs to us that you may wish to publish the reply which is enclosed herewith.
LEWIS H. CARRIS
Managing Director
National Society for the
Prevention of Blindness
New York City
My dear Mr. Carris: I have your letter with the clipping from TIME, April 12, in which Mr. B. Palmer Lewis cites the case of a noted artist who was cured of blindness through the ministrations of a practitioner of Christian Science. He urges this as a reason for opposing the employment of well-known and universally accepted measures to prevent the blindness due to birth infections [TIME, March 22]. The instance cited is as irrelevant to the prevention of blindness in infants as is the popularity of the artist or the names of prominent people whom he has painted. It is important only as it is misleading and might obstruct essential health measures.
It would appear in reading it carefully that the facts as noted in this case were accurately described, that blindness did exist during a number of months and that sight was restored as promptly and as completely as the writer states. The condition is not one infrequently met in medical practice and the treatment employed was almost precisely that followed by any intelligent and qualified doctor of medicine under like circumstances.
There is but one condition under which the symptoms described with the prompt restoration of sight are found. It is often characterized by the numbness referred to either in the legs or other parts of the body. It is known as psychic or mind blindness. It is purely a mental and functional condition in which no organic structural change is present. It is not even a very uncommon condition and no one thinks of treating it in any other way than by influencing the mind of the victim of this obsession.
When the person so affected is impressed with the belief that his sight will be restored even if it has been lost for a long time, it comes back again no matter how this belief is conveyed to him. A positive assurance made by the person in whom he has faith will usually effect a cure. A typical instance of this is described in the little booklet, "What You Should Know About Eyes," forming one of the National Health Series published by Funk & Wagnalls Co.