This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 18th day of October, 1941, in accordance with request made by the mother - Mrs. [199], recommended by her brother and sister, Mr. [641] and Miss [288], Active Members in the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

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 suggestions for help and relief of this body. You will answer the questions, as I ask them:
2. EC: Yes, we have the body here.
3. As we find, in the physical forces of the body conditions are very good.
4. In the structural forces, where there has been the injury to the lower extremities, these are NOT so well.
5. As we find, there should be the operative measures to remove the folds, or gristle - as it has grown to be.
6. This, as we find, would require the grafting of skin; which might be taken from the thigh, and may require two - or three - operations. But this COULD - with the removal of these prevent this constant drawing, and prevent the body from eventually becoming more like club-footed in the one side of same.
7. These would be the better activities, as we find.
8. Ready for questions.
9. (Q) Would you suggest a surgeon?
   (A) Marcus Skinner.
10. (Q) Any particular diet, or preparation for the operation?
    (A) This, of course - the operation, must be in keeping with the desire of the body, as well as those in association with or responsible for the developing of the body; and it should not be done without the consent of the body itself. And possibly the spring would be the better time for it to be performed, as it would be more consistent with the GROWTH of the body; also it would interfere less with the other phases of the mental development of the body at those periods. But the sooner it is done, of course, the better.
    As to diet, - this is very good in the present.
11. We are through with this reading.

    Copy to Mother - [199]
    Copy to Uncle - [641]
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. 10/18/41 GD's note: Child now 8 years old; when 6 mos. old was severely burned. Rolled into the fireplace, or backed into it. For months his limbs had to stay bandaged. Even now at times there are breaks in the skin, because of so much scar tissue, or gristly tissue, that has had to grow in place of the flesh that was burned.

REPORTS

1. 10/24/41 Extract from mother's letter: "I surely appreciate your efforts to help [2605]'s legs. Before he started to school, Dr. Skinner said that should be done. I was afraid to start it, and we didn't seem to be able to afford the expense. I haven't said anything to [2605] yet, but will soon. Don't believe he'll mind, especially, I mean. Of course, any child hates to be still."
2. 12/05/41 Extract from mother's letter: "I'm sorry to have been so long in taking [2605] to Dr. Skinner. Have to take him on Sunday or let him miss school one. But I took him last Sunday. Dr. Skinner said it should be done as soon as possible. To bring him back right after Xmas. If I wanted to wait till then. Couldn't tell about the expenses but he would keep them down as much as possible. He could stay in a ward. Said not to worry about it. Don't know if you wanted to do the operation that early but that was his suggestion. Appreciate so very much your offer to help."
3. 7/11/42 "[2605] is over his operation and seems to be doing fine. He hasn't had any water yet but is insisting on it. Think they will give him some in a little while. Maybe it won't make him sick.
   "They took the place under his knee and the other ankle, then did something to that leg all the way. Cut the hard strip out, I suppose. Have them all boarded up and a steel brace on one. Surely hope they will be all fixed up now. He was in the operating room an hour and a half."
4. 7/29/42 Letter from mother [199]: "[2605] came home yesterday. He stayed from Friday to Monday, over two weeks. He stayed several nights in a private room. I'll have to take him back Friday to dress his legs. They say the places look fine. I know it will take time and massage to help too. The doctor wouldn't try to graft skin. So much to cover and it already healed, and well. Take such a long time. I think the thick places were worse than the scars anyway."
5. 8/01/42 Letter from mother [199]: "[2605]'s doing fine now. No temperature and a really good appetite. It's so tiresome just to lie there all the time, and they told him not to walk. So naturally he gets cross easily."
6. 8/07/42 "The doctor had me bring [2605] back up here today and they are thinking about grafting skin on one place - heal quicker and if it takes will be some live skin instead of scar tissue. But [2605] didn't want to come at all. Just took him to the operating room. Left crying and asking me to go with him. Of course I couldn't. They don't plan for him to stay but a few days this time. His legs will look better - I can see that, and I'm sure they will feel better. Of course there will be scars but the hard, thick places are cut off. Doesn't pull like it did. His foot may not be perfect but the doctor said he thot it would be alright." Later: "Both legs are in splints, so believe they put new skin on both. Hope so think it will help. Gave him ether but he hasn't been sick."
7. 2/25/46 Mother's letter: "They are supposed to operate [again] on [2605]'s legs."
8. 3/16/46 "[2605]'s home & doing fine, but it takes that scar tissue so long to heal. I'm afraid the thick, hard places will build back again."
9. 4/15/49 Newspaper picture-article showed [2605] taking part in school jamboree (dancing & singing) program.
10. 4/18/74 His Aunt [288] reported: "When [2605] grew up, he was always very active in sports and a dare-devil type. He never seemed handicapped at all; was very handsome and popular with both boys and girls; an extrovert if there ever was one. After he finished school and got married, his work for several years was in steel construction where he would work high in the air on building bridges, etc., etc. It was dangerous but paid well, and he seemed to like it. Later he decided to become a dentist and went back to school. He is very successful in this chosen profession and has a large clientele. He and the whole family realize that if he had not followed the reading he would have become a cripple, because of the thickening scar tissue and drawing of his legs (under the knee, etc.). The Camphorated Oil which Edgar Cayce recommended in one of his letters to the mother (not in a reading), was invaluable in the early years, retarding the scar tissue and making the areas supple. This was still used following the surgery, as soon as the skin was healed sufficiently."

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