A Remarkable Case by Editor

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Apr 17, 1879

A Remarkable Case.

By Editor

WERE it not for occasional stubborn facts which arise, "scientists" would have everything their own way. We have not a word to say against science; to the contrary, we greatly respect it. But we cannot confess to much respect for certain positive assertions of scientific men, based only on hypotheses, without known facts to sustain them, and which new facts are constantly overthrowing. Geologists are the most positive of all men, and their positive assertions are most frequently proved to be untrue.

But we may sympathize with the incredulity of the doctors in the following case. While all would have cried out "impossible!" had such a thing been suggested in advance of the facts, it more strongly proves that mere theories are utterly unreliable in every science.

Sister Baker, of Oakland, to whom Mrs. Sprague was related, handed us a lengthy account of the case as published in the Cleveland papers. We give room only to the report of the examination with the names of the examining physicians:—

POST MORTEM EXAMINATION IN THE CASE OF MRS. M. A. SPRAGUE.

The first thing noticed as peculiar, was an enlargement of the pericardium (or sack that surrounds the heart). This we found to contain an unusual amount of fluid, amounting to several ounces. The heart, as it lay in position, appeared of about ordinary size, but on closer inspection, we found the left auricle enlarged to perhaps three times its usual size, and containing in its walls a solid body. On attempting to remove the heart, we found the pericardium attached by a fibrous band to the œsophagus. After removal, on washing the heart, a foreign substance was felt externally, and on attempting to remove it, a pricking sensation was felt; this led to a closer inspection, when we found that we were forced to admit, despite our incredulity, that a burdock burr was imbedded in the left auricle, beneath the arch of the aorta, which was also enlarged and softened. Within the auricle opposite to the part in which the burr was lodged, we found a fibrinous clot attached. The burr had probably been swallowed, and lodged in the œsophagus, and from there worked its way into the pericardium and to its present situation. WM. CLARK, M. D. A. P. KNOWLTON, M. D. A. S. ALLEN, M. D. F. M. COATES, M. D.

A SCHOOL-TEACHER relates the following incident as observed from her window: "Two colored men were engaged in loading cotton bales. One of the men shirked. Although he went through all the motions he did not help much in the work, while the other used all his strength. Finally, he turned to his fellow-laborer, and surveying him from head to foot, said, "Sambo, are you a Christian?" "Yes." "Then take hold and help." How aptly this question will apply to thousands who profess to be Christians, yet are doing comparatively nothing to help the cause along. They go through all the motions, but do not lift a pound. If any missionary work is to be done, they can look on, and apparently sanction it. We often feel like asking them, Do you want these sinners saved? If you do, then take hold and help.