This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 30th day of August, 1938, in accordance with request made by the friend - [1661], Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., friend and sponsor for [1673], who was once her cook.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno.

TEXT

1. GC: You will go over this body carefully, examine it thoroughly, and tell me the conditions you find at the present time; giving the cause of the existing conditions, also the suggestions for help and relief for this body; answering the questions that may be asked.
2. EC: Yes.
3. Now as we find, there is a complication of disturbances which prevent the normal physical activity of the body.
4. These have varied - the causes and the effects - in many ways. For the conditions have been aggravating for some time.
5. And as we find, while there are periods when there is betterment, there are periods when apparently everything becomes awry - with the inability of assimilation, for the gaining of strength or for the gaining of the equilibrium for the activities of the body itself.
6. As we find, then, it would be better to give first rather the form of preparations for the body to have that to build upon - if there would be brought in the physical forces of the body the conditions such that it may gain its physical and mental equilibrium.
7. These, then, are disturbances or conditions as we find them with this body in the present, [1673] we are speaking of:
8. The blood supply indicates the inability of the system to build resistances. This is not only due to those complexities where there have been the indications of the tumorous forces forming through portions of the system, but to the unbalanced condition between the chemical forces of the system to produce coagulation itself.
9. Hence we have portions that are exaggerated and portions that apparently become atrophied, and portions where there are swellings.
10. The nervous system, of course, becomes the expression through which the greater portion of the activity finds manifestation.
11. Hence we find acute pain at times, and at other times without abilities or those activities that cause the great acuteness - but the inability for the activity, or for the physical forces of the system to function in their normal way and manner.
12. These as we find all arise, first, from infectious forces; secondarily, the misapplication of things for organic disturbance when it has been and is more of a constitutional disturbance - thus localizing and causing disturbance in the system.
13. As we find, then, in making application of those things that would bring about the betterment, it would first be necessary - as we have indicated - to produce rather the basis upon which physical attitudes and physical conditions may be built.
14. And first it must commence, of course, with the mental and spiritual attitude towards itself, toward others, as well as towards that which it would have accomplished in the physical of the body itself.
15. There has been, as we find, as increase in the amount of determination, as well as faith and hope, in the MENTAL forces of the body. This must be kept in the attitude of constructiveness, however, all the way through.
16. No animosity, no hate, no DESIRE to cause others any disturbances that would make for conditions that would become destructive in their experience.
17. This is the first attitude.
18. Or let that mind be in YOU which was in Jesus, the Christ; who went about doing good - always!
19. THAT is the right attitude!
20. Then begin with a combination or compound as a tonic, that would make for the toning of the system in such a manner that the specific and the acute conditions may GRADUALLY be eliminated from the system. Prepare such a compound or tonic in this manner:
21. To 6 ounces of Syrup of Wild Cherry Bark, as the carrier, add - IN THE ORDER NAMED:

    Compound Syrup of Sarsaparilla........1/2 ounce,
Syrup of Rhubarb........................1 ounce,
Syrup of Horehound......................1 ounce,
Here add 95% GRAIN Alcohol..............2 ounces.

    Shake the ingredients well together, at this point, and then add:

    Tincture of Stillingia................1/2 ounce,
Essence of Wild Ginseng...............1/2 ounce.

    Shake the solution well when the dosage is taken, which would be a teaspoonful three times each day; BETWEEN the meals and just before retiring.
22. Each evening when the body is prepared for rest for the evening, it should have an oil rub - but first it should have a sponge bath with pure water and plenty of soap, of course - especially along the spine and the lower limbs; a thorough massage with oils as combined in this manner:
23. To 6 ounces of Russian White Oil as the base, add - in the ORDER named:

    Witchhazel..............................1 ounce,
Oil of Cedar Wood.......................1 ounce,
Oil of Sassafras......................1/4 ounce,
Compound Tincture of Benzoin............2 ounces.

    These, of course, will separate; but shake them together, then pour a quantity in a saucer - sufficient so that by dipping the tips of fingers in same the whole of the cerebrospinal system may be thoroughly massaged - from the base of the brain to the end of the spine.
24. After the body has absorbed all it will of the oils from such a massage, sponge off the body (each evening, you see - until this whole quantity is used) with a little soda water; about a tablespoonful to a quart of water.
25. When the whole quantity of the tonic has been taken, and the whole quantity of the oils used for the rubs (these will be found to last about the same period), THEN we would give further instructions for correction.
26. The mental attitude, first, should be held constantly for a constructiveness - and for the building up of the system.
27. The diet: THROUGHOUT, have the diet of those things almost pre-digested, or that are strength and body-building but are easily assimilated. Rather than raw milk, preferably use the dried milk; and such as junket, blanc mange - beef juice. All foods of such character should be a part of the diet.
28. The beef juice should be taken as medicine, NOT as a part of the diet; that is: Take about a tablespoonful of the beef juice during a day, but sip it - about a teaspoonful at the time, and take at least ten minutes to sip the teaspoonful! Sip it, using a whole wheat wafer with same.
29. Have fruits - that is, juices of fruits; juices of vegetables. Not too much of meats, but fish - that is roasted or broiled or BOILED - may be taken; NOT FRIED!
30. A little lamb may be taken occasionally as a part of the diet, as the meat; but not the fat of this - and have it WELL-COOKED!
31. Do these for the period indicated, when the compound as the tonic has been taken and the full quantity of the oils used for the rubs; and then we would give further instructions - as indicated - [1673].
32. Ready for questions.
33. We are through for the present.

    Copy to [1661]
    Copy to Ass'n file
    (See separate sheet of directions [which was enclosed] for Druggist.
    Let us know about a week or ten days BEFORE you finish with the tonic and the rub, so we may make an appointment for your Check Physical Reading.
    At your convenience, we would appreciate a history of your case to the time you received the Reading. This is valuable for our files.)

BACKGROUND

1. 8/24/38 Mrs. [1661]'s letter: "[1673] lived with us as cook for 5 years - she is colored, and separated from a worthless husband. At present she lives with her aunt - and has been a puzzle to the doctors for a long time. She is a fine person and I hope we can get her well."

REPORTS

1. 9/01/38 Mrs. [1661]'s letter:
   My dear Mr. Cayce,
   Will you pardon my using this pad. I find I have run out of writing paper and have been too busy to get more.
   The [1673] reading was quite correct - and you will help her - I know. When she was fourteen, she swelled up all over. When her arm was pressed, water would come out. An operation discovered a cyst on the left (I think) ovary and the cyst & ovary were removed - the swelling went down. She married about ten years ago. The husband drank & twice kicked her downstairs bringing on mis-carriages, - and stabbed her once in the hip - causing blood poisoning. After that she left him & worked for a friend of mine. While there, had numerous headaches.
   When she came to me I took her to the occulist who changed her glasses but that did not help. Her legs often swelled & her doctor, a colored man said she had an inherited nervous disease. Then I had my doctor examine her & he found a bad sinus condition & infected gall bladder, and gave her treatments & inoculations for two years. In 1935, she began to have abdominal swelling, which became quite severe with fever. We had her operated on that summer, and they drained much fluid from tuberculosis of the peritoneum. She spent most of the summer in our garden - and was much improved. The next summer she began to have bilious spells and several times fainted. After one attack, she went to another colored doctor near where she was, & he said she must have a tumor - so sent her to the Lankenau Hos. [Lankenau Hospital, Phila.] where they kept her three days - gave her one aspirin tablet & said she had T.B. of the peritoneum & hardening of the liver. The colored doctor said there that she had "Picks disease" & gave her sun ray & things of that sort. I had to get someone to take her place, and she went to an easier position where she stayed until last Dec. Then she began to have very acute pain in her heart & down the left arm. That was caused the same doctor said, by gas from intestinal spasms and gave her hypodermics daily for a while. One day before I left she had a bad pain in the right side & he gave her medicine & said she would probably pass gall stones that night, but didn't! He went away and his substitute tells her that there is a bad valvular heart condition also that she has a rheumatic heart. Do you wonder she is an invalid. She sleeps propped up in bed, and takes heart stimulants constantly, but does get up to cook her meals. She is most interested and grateful, and will follow instructions.
   During the reading, she had her eyes shut, but was conscious of a brilliant light in front of her several times. I am going to see the friend who has tuberculosis this afternoon and tell her about you.
   Sincerely yours [1661]
2. 9/29/38 Mrs. [1661]'s letter: "I saw [1673] today, and she has had very little pain and feels stronger. The oil rub has been most helpful so that she sleeps better, though still in a sitting position. Her appetite is good and she walks some every day. The bowels do not move without daily enemas. Shall I have the medicine refilled, and the rub? Her legs have swelled quite badly once in the past few weeks."
3. 10/03/38 EC advised giving another complete round of treatments, then having a check reading.
4. 10/02/38 Mrs. [1661]'s letter: "[1673] seems to be holding her own and does feel much better when taking the medicine, also has no indigestion since she began to use the dried milk. There is an asthmatic condition, which the doctor who has been taking care of her says is caused by some food. That seems absurd to me for she does not have the wheezing all of the time, and her diet is the same. Her husband has disappeared, so the poor girl's only income is now $4.60 a week from the relief. Also her relative is closing her house this week and [1673] has to pay $3 of it for a room. I suppose it is time for further investigation of her condition, and I will let her know what time you set. After this reading, I cannot promise to do much more than see that she has enough to eat."
5. 11/10/38 See 1673-2.

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