10/11/11 Dr. Wesley H. Ketchum's lecture read in Boston,
Mass., before the American Association for Clinical
Research re Edgar Cayce:
When I was asked by Dr. Krauss while out in California, to
write a paper on "My Unusual Case" little did I think that
I would come to the other extremity of the continent to
describe in my feeble way, the results of my experimentation.
Psychic Phenomena has always been of great interest to me
for all, there is perhaps no field which affords a better
opportunity for fakes and mysticism. Now, in submitting to
you a report of my investigations, as per request of this
Society, I beg your indulgence and cooperation, provided it
meets your approval, if it does not, I ask that you withhold
your harshest criticism until we are able to make further
research and investigation. As no conviction is so strong
as that preceded by honest doubt, I have great respect for
an honest doubter.
Our present status of medicine is the outcome of
experimentation, research and doubts. I believe the psychic
should come in for its share of investigation by honest,
doubting, medical men, and confine it to the medical
profession. As fixed laws seem to govern all phenomena in
nature, it is but natural to infer that some is true in the
workings of the psychic. In the course of my investigations
I have only discovered one thing that seems to be absolute,
- that is, - THAT THE PATIENT SHOULD IN SOME WAY SOLICIT
help in his, or her particular case, otherwise, results are
meager. I say this because in several instances where he
has been tried with patients who had no previous knowledge
of such being done for them he only gave a rambling talk,
hitting the subject only in high places, so to speak, or
missing it entirely in one case.
I am here to offer no explanation as to how he works or the
source of his knowledge, because I do not know; I am governed
only by results. In all the cases I have selected for
experiment he had no knowledge, directly or indirectly, until
after he was asleep, - after he is awakened and is shown
a copy of what he has said he claims to have no knowledge
of it in any way, or what the expressions mean. His early
education ended in the sixth grade, when he stopped school
and went to work in a photographer's gallery, his education
naturally limited. After experimenting with my subject for
several years, I can compare psychology only with aviation,
which is just now commanding the attention of the mechanical
experts of the world, and there can only be one outcome,
success eventually. The same is true in the psychic.
Conditions in nature have always been as now for aviation,
but men said "It is impossible" and, of course, nothing
happened.
Heretofore the medical profession has assumed the same
attitude, they could scarcely reconcile themselves to the
teachings of those who belonged to different schools of
medicine, and it naturally follows since they did not believe
in each other that they surely would place little confidence
in anything of a psychic nature. Since my early tutoring
and association was along this line I was inclined to accept
nothing of a psychic nature until I was brought face to
face with facts, vouched for by a man in whom I had implicit
confidence along other lines and why should I not take at
least one peep into its mystic origin? My friend being
a highly scientific man, a graduate of the Ohio State
University, was likewise impressed only when a demonstration
was made upon his little daughter after she was given up as
hopeless, a description of which I will present you under
separate cover. If you will pardon a person experience. I
will recite, in as few words as possible, how I was impressed
and why I continued to investigate.
One day in the fall of 1906 [see
4135-1] I was attacked
by a severe pain and accompanying symptoms which I thought
was appendicitis; I immediately counseled two of my medical
friends who assured me that I was unduly alarmed and
suggested treatment, which I followed, with some relief, but
only for a short time, when I again became alarmed, - this
time I went to a near by city where I counseled two prominent
men with about the same result as my first attempt. The
condition would get better for a time, but only for a little
while and would return again. Finally, after eighteen months
had passed with no permanent relief, I sought aid in another
medical center. This time three men passed on my case and
prescribed. They told me I had a Nervous Appendix. At this
time I would have taken but little suggesting until I would
have undergone an operation, which was not necessary, but
when we are suffering, physician and layman alike want
relief. On March 29th, 1909, I was asked by a friend to
try "The Psychic Freak" and see what he said about my case;
previous to this I had not seen him for a long time as he
was now living in Alabama, but he was visiting at his home.
On the afternoon of above date he came to my office at the
suggestion of my friend, who came with him. He laid down
and went into one of his usual naps. Now he had been told
nothing pertaining to whose case he was to tell about, and as
I had tried everything suggested by seven men and no relief,
of course I had little faith in anything. But I was willing
and anxious to have him try. My friend said "Go over this
man carefully, (giving my name) he is here in this room.
Tell us what you find." "Yes, we have him here. A little
over twenty-eight moons ago this man wrenched his spine, as a
result of which we find an impinging on the vertebrael end of
the nerves at the last dorsal and numbers one and two lumbar
vertebrae. We now find pain and irritation at the opposite
pole, or in the inguinal region, worse on the right side,
through the sympathetics. We also find some irritation of
the bladder. As this was caused mechanically it will require
mechanical treatment or manipulation to relieve it." My
wife, upon being told, immediately recalled the time when
I wrenched my spine while feeding my horse. It had only
troubled me a few days and had completely passed from memory
until it was recalled. My faith in his statements was
strengthened when I found this had occurred only two or
three weeks before my first trouble in the Autumn of 1906.
Treatment along the new idea followed, but not until I had
consulted my Gray's Anatomy and found the land marks as
he stated. After three or four mechanical treatments my
pseudo-appendicitis cleared up entirely and all soreness
localized at the original seat in my spine. After taking
a total of nine treatments, or from March 29th until April
21st, all my trouble ceased and I had not been troubled
since. Then the thought came to me - how does he do it?
Where is the source of his knowledge? Was it just shrewd
guessing? In the cases and testimonials that follow I
shall call on you to decide.
Case #2. Mr. L. H. D. [See 4912-1], a contractor and
prominent politician was taken ill in January 1910. Local
physician diagnosed case as appendicitis with abscess
forming. Patient not completely satisfied sought advice in
Evansville, Ind. Had a prominent specialist verify previous
physician's diagnosis and allotted him six weeks to live
unless he was operated on at once. Patient still in doubt,
sought aid in Lexington, Ky. Physician #3 first said that
previous diagnosis were wrong, but after three weeks
treatment gave as his opinion that operation was imperative
and referred him to a prominent Kentucky surgeon - that
latter, after a two hour examination stated that he advised
an exploratory operation, making an incision in the median
line so he might explore entire cavity, but added, "he is too
nervous to operate at present, go home and rest for two weeks
and come back to the hospital." Patient first came to my
office May 17th 1910, and in face of previous diagnosis I
hesitated to give an opinion, but prescribed electric
treatment as a nerve sedative. After one month patient noted
slight relief, if any, except in his sleep, which was better.
At this time mention was made of the Psychic. My patient
replied "Well, he can do no worse than you doctors, so bring
him on." He arrived in Hopkinsville June 22nd at 7 P.M. -
had no knowledge of what he was to be asked to do. He had
not seen the patient in four or five years and did not see
him until after diagnosis. The following were his
statements, verbatim;-
"At the first cervical vertebrae, the second to the eighth
dorsal, second and third lumbar, we find lesions which
influence this case through the ganglia on either side, or
through the sympathetic nervous system, in the region of
the tenth and eleventh dorsal, there is lesion that affects
directly the Solar Plexus, which lies immediately behind the
stomach. In other words we have spinal congestion.
"We have in this case poor excretion of all waste products
due to the overtaxed condition of the whole nervous system.
All reactive forces are low, affecting indirectly kidney,
liver and spleen. The whole system is easily irritated pains
shift from one part of the body to another, caused by lack of
nerve force. This condition has been brought about by long
continued over-work, over-taxation of all the animal forces,
in other words, everything has been running at too high
tension. We also find the slowing of the circulation,
sub-normal pulse and sub-normal temperature. We find a
lack of leucocytes. The spleen also is not performing
its functions properly; its functioning ability has been
overtaxed, consequently, inaction. Every thought seems
to irritate and depress his whole system. This condition
continued, as it is, for a period of time - his mind will
be blank. The reactive forces do not seem to be able to
counter-balance with the waste, hence this condition. There
is a deficient metabolism, due to lack of nerve force in the
proper direction.
"Treatment: First, rest from all mental exertion, stimulate
excretionary organs, liver and kidney; stimulate nervous
system by applying electricity and other stimulation to
the spine, from the first cervical to the last lumbar.
Incidentally, medical treatment. Trouble in the region
of the appendix is due to lesion in the spine. Sub-costal
nerve being irritated at its root or origin produces pain
and irritation at its distribution, which is in the caecum
and vicinity of appendix. No organic trouble, purely
functional."
Carrying out the idea in this direction, I took my patient
along with me to the Pacific Coast, where I first was asked
by Dr. Krauss to write a paper for this Society - after
I recited to him the above case. Patient returned home
improved, but within two weeks was again troubled as before.
I recommended Sanitorium treatment and he entered same about
Sept. 10th. I requested a definite and exhaustive diagnosis
from physician in charge and, after two weeks received the
following: [See
4912-1, Reports.]
"Sept. 24th, 1910 - Dear Doctor; After going carefully into
the case of Mr. L.H.D. we have diagnosed his case as one
of Hyperemia of the cord, a condition we believe to be the
result directly of a disturbed nutrition and an imperfect
elimination. His blood count shows 3,936,000 red corpuscles
- 5,800 white, -95% hemoglobin - 130 blood pressure.
"The low count and the increased pressure both give
sufficient reason, in our estimation, for the trouble
he complains about in his back; his sleeplessness; his
nervousness and in fact all of the physical and mental
manifestations he presents. These same conditions account
also for the distress he has in his abdomen. In the
examination of the urine we find a specific gravity of 1024,
with a number of crystals of urates; a few epithelium cells
and a showing of indican. This is our proof of the imperfect
elimination and we believe to the toxic condition which is
helping to perpetuate his trouble. Mr. D. has become much
worried about himself and this has a tendency to aggravate
his troubles. We can see no reason why this man should not
get well. I am enclosing herewith a copy of the treatment
card we are employing in his case. Any suggestions you may
have to offer will be duly appreciated. I think it would be
helpful to him if you were to write him upon the receipt of
this.
"I wish to thank you for the kindly reference in this case
and assure you of our very best efforts in his behalf. We
feel sure that if Mr. D. can only be a little patient, we
can land him all right,
"With best wishes, I am Sincerely yours-"
Following the receipt of this I searched my desk for the
diagnosis of June 22nd made by the Psychic. This I had
carelessly thrown in a pigeon hole.
My patient followed the prescribed treatment and remained in
the Sanitorium three months which completely affected a cure.
Case #3 - Miss C. P. age 40 yrs. [See 4474-1.]
Had an attack of appendicitis in June 1906. She refused to
have an operation. Abscess formed and burst into the bowel
tract, then operation was advised again but to no avail.
She was bedridden most of the time, was willing to have any
treatment except operation which seemed to be the only chance
for relief. She complained of pain in her spine more than
any other part of her body. The following reading was given
November 17th, 1910:
Go over her body carefully and tell us what the trouble is,
if anything. "Yes - we have troubles throughout the whole
system. There are quite a few troubles and many reflex
conditions. Some are localized, others purely reflex. The
trouble with this body is principally with the intestinal
tract, in fact all below the stomach. We have a choking
up of the intestinal tract and a sluggish condition of
the peristaltic movement of the intestine, beginning here
where the liver empties into the intestine, along with the
pancreas, and extending clear through. This condition has
brought about all sorts of reflex troubles. This trouble was
primarily caused, or in the beginning caused by this sluggish
condition of the liver and pancreas and glands of the
intestinal tract. We have a lack of juices here to carry
off the contents of the bowel tract and allowed this choking
up here, as a result of which we have this condition in the
system. Then through reflex action or through the
sympathetic nervous system we have inflammation kept up. The
glands on the inside have been irritated as a result of this
choked up condition. They do not throw off the extreta as
they should, or they do not work. We have this trouble in
the intestinal tract associated with pains in the bowels, in
consequence of this lack of secretion. In fact, causes pains
through the whole system; makes her sick and tired all over;
she wants to lie down all the time, cannot go. These
conditions produced to the nervous system this unstable
condition that we have in this patient. As a result of this
intestinal trouble we have produced through this lower part
of the intestinal tract, through nature's effort to throw off
waste this catarrhal inflammation which has reverted to the
opposite pole, or to the spine as a result of the irritation
of the capillaries in the intestine. In other words the
reaction from the irritation. We have the inflammation and
soreness along with considerable pain, especially when this
mucous sloughs off through the intestinal tract, that we
see here. The pain here in the right side also is referred
around to the back and we have irritation and tenderness at
the ninth, tenth and eleventh dorsal vertebrae. This comes
as a result of this catarrhal inflammation in the lower bowel
tract. We have also through the sympathetics, pains referred
to the different nerve plexuses in different parts of the
body. We have also, pains extending into the locomotor
muscles of the legs, especially the right one. This comes
only when this irritation is aggravated, then after these
spells pass away the system reacts for awhile as it has
thrown off this waste. It passes out, then we find relief.
This trouble occupies the colon principally, but is also
reverted to the small intestine.
"Treatment - first, give as much pure water as it is possible
for this body to take in. Also, flush the intestinal
tract locally with water, as hot as she can take. Do this
frequently and keep it up. Use external heat also, up to
the point of irritation, until we can produce an absorption.
Also, keep the intestinal tract clear. Watch the food
carefully. Tone up the stomach. Then the liver and pancreas
will act better. As a result of which the whole system will
react. It is necessary to get more water into this body,
then those nerves will relax. Light diet and as much
exercise as this body can stand. Do not let it be dormant
but take treatments both internally and externally for this
catarrhal condition in the intestinal tract. We will then
stimulate the nerve centers that are affected in the spine
with Sinusoidal Electricity, both in the dorsal and sacral
regions. Not too much electricity or the reaction would be
too great. Relax this stiffened condition of the muscles,
get more life into them, also into the tissues. They are
not dead - just do not work and lie in a dormant state. Now,
if we over stimulate the nervous system in this body, we
will have severe pains in the back and it may irritate
the kidneys. Be sure and cleanse the system with plenty
of water, and mild laxative as needed to stimulate the
secretions in the bowel tract, so as not to absorb this
excreta back into the system again. Also stimulate
perspiration so as to eliminate externally as well as
internally."
After going over the description thoroughly I decided to
follow details to the letter. The Sinusoidal treatment to
the spine referred to me was entirely new to me, as to its
merits or mode of application except as he dictated until
January 1st, 1911 when I procured a copy of Abram's
Spondylotherapy [Kellog's electrical treatment]. After
referring to it I could easily see why it had merit, when
Time demonstrated in this case. After eight months
treatment, patient was recovered entirely and all her bodily
functions are normal, the first time in years. A copy of the
patients statement I shall present to you under separate
cover. [See Par. R2 below.]
The following letters are testimonials submitted by Dr.
Ketchum as evidence of the accuracy of Edgar Cayce's
diagnoses. They are included here as one Report:
8/16/11 Letter:
Springfield, Tenn.
To Whom it May Concern:
This is to certify that I have known EC for the last seven
or eight years and have become very much impressed with his
wonderful psychic power, displayed while under self imposed
hypnotic spell.
It has been my privilege to have followed his prescribed
treatment in ten or twelve cases, all to my entire
satisfaction. In several of these cases I was enshrouded in
doubt until consulting him and following his prescribed
treatment to the letter. I was happy in seeing the results I
longed for. This man possesses some power that I know
nothing of, but if taken and followed certainly is a boon to
suffering humanity.
Yours truly, Dr. T. B. House
2/14/10 Letter:
Dear Sir:
Glad to hear from you, and also to state to whom it may
concern, what I think of your ability to diagnose diseases.
Your reading on my patient gave the symptoms from start to
finish, just as they were, even to the complexion of the skin
at the time. You had not seen, neither did you know upon
whom you were giving the reading. You certainly stated the
facts in the case.
Yours truly, Dr. J. D. H.
4/07/10 Letter:
Dear Sir:
Will say in reply that all men are skeptical in regard to
your power as a diagnostician, and testimony will not
convince them. It is only when you demonstrate the power to
them that they believe. I have been thoroughly satisfied in
each case I have witnessed.
Yours truly, Dr. J. N. F.
6/30/10 Letter:
This is to certify that I was present with Mr. Milligan Beard
[
5777] when he called on Mr. EC for a "reading". I believe
it is so classified. After Mr. C's usual manner, he
explained Mr. Beard's physical condition in all essentials,
about as I and other Physicians. [GD's note: There is no
copy of this reading in A.R.E. files.]
9/29/10 (Thursday) The Boston Herald's article on EC:
HYPNOTIC 'DOCTOR' INVITED HERE
Clinical Research Association Wants to Be Shown Proof of Dr.
Ketchum's Claims.
NEW PROBLEM IN MEDICINE
Illiterate Man Represented as Diagnosing Rare Cases While
Hypnotized
Can an illiterate man, with no knowledge of medicine or
surgery, correctly diagnose disease and prescribe medical or
surgical treatment when in a hypnotic state? Dr. W. H.
Ketchum of Hopkinsville, Ky., says he has a hypnotic subject
who can do this.
The American Association of Clinical Research, now holding
its second annual meeting in the Boston Society of Natural
History building, says, in effect, that it is "from
Missouri." It has invited Dr. Ketchum to attend its next
meeting, accompanied by his subject, and submit him to a
test. A vote to this effect was passed at yesterday's
session, after Dr. Ketchum's report of the case had been read
and discussed.
The Kentucky physician reports that he has used this man in
over 100 instances, and only in two has his diagnosis failed
of being absolutely correct or his prescription for treatment
failed to produce a cure.
He states that in one instance the daughter of an official of
the American Book Company, living in Cincinnati, had been
pronounced incurable by six of the best diagnosticians in the
Middle West. The hypnotic subject was used, he declared
their views all wrong, made a different diagnosis, suggested
a simple surgical treatment, and when it was followed, the
girl [
2473] was well inside of three months.
Some of the doctors who heard this report yesterday were
skeptical, some were incredulous, while others were willing
to be shown, and the vote to ask Dr. Ketchum to make good
resulted.
Dr. Ketchum writes that four years ago he heard of a man,
then only 24 years of age, who had the reputation of doing
"wonderful things" when in a hypnotic sleep. He sought him
out and began experimenting with him, with the result,
finally, of having him produce the results already mentioned.
Dr. Ketchum says:
"He simply lies down and folds his arms and by
auto-suggestion goes to sleep. While in this sleep, which to
all intents and purposes is a natural sleep, his objective
mind is completely inactive and only his subjective is
working.
"By suggestion, he becomes unconscious to perception of any
sort, and, strange to say, his best work is done when he is
seemingly 'dead to the world.' I next give him the name of
my subject and the exact location of the same and in a few
minutes he begins to talk, as clearly and distinctly as any
one.
GOES INTO MINUTE DETAIL
"He usually goes into minute detail in diagnosing a case, and
especially if it be a very serious case. His language is
usually of the best, and his physiologic terms and
descriptions of the nervous anatomy would do credit to any
professor of nervous anatomy. There is no faltering of his
speech, and all his statements are clear and concise.
"He handles the most complex 'lawbreakers' with as much ease
as any Boston physician, which to me is quite wonderful in
view of the fact that while in his normal state he is quite
an illiterate man, especially along the line of medicine,
surgery or pharmacy, of which he knows nothing.
"After giving in detail a diagnosis and also minute etiology,
symptoms and treatment of a case, he is awakened by a sign
that he will see this person no more."
Dr. Ketchum added that when once more awake his subject knew
nothing about the case concerning which he had been talking,
and that when questioned on scientific aspects of the matters
he had just spoken so learnedly he showed absolute ignorance
of them.
In the discussion which followed the presentation of this
unusual report, it was suggested that perhaps the hypnotic
subject merely used the subconscious mind of the physician
who hypnotized him, without the latter's knowledge. No one
present, however, pretended to understand the case, and the
most favorable attitude expressed toward the matter was a
willingness to be shown.
The American Association of Clinical Research, of which Mr.
E. Stillman Baily of Chicago is president and Dr. James
Krauss of Boyiston street, Boston, is secretary, is a
comparatively new organization. Its membership is open to
physicians of every school, and, as Dr. Krauss stated last
evening, "It has antagonism for no school of medicine; it is
a collection of earnest investigators from all schools."
SECRETARY READS PAPER
Last evening a public session was held at which the
secretary, who holds his medical degree from the University
of Berlin, read a paper on "Some Elementary Facts in
Medicine," in which he said:
"The main object of the association is the systematic,
scientific investigation of the science and art of medicine
by conclusive methods that will leave no doubt as to the
truth of any conclusion that may be reached.
"The public has it in its power to exercise a potent
influence on medicine if this influence be given for the
furtherance of rigid clinical research and is not allowed to
run after false gods.
"The benefits derived from truths conclusively established
are obvious. It will no longer be possible to fasten the
ignorance of individual practitioners upon the shoulders of
the entire profession or to measure the science of medicine
by the knowledge of single men, even the most learned. If
men fail in their daily ministrations, it does not mean that
the science of medicine fails. The truths of medicine will
conquer all the ills of the flesh.
President Baily gave a talk, illustrated with latern slides,
on "Research Work in Radio-Activity." He reported a case of
the cure of cancerous growth on a man's finger by a means of
radium and then showed some shadowgraph slides made by the
radio-activity of the minute particles of radium contained in
the ashes of the bandage which had held the radium
application in place, reduced in solution to very attenuated
degrees.
The meeting of the association will be continued through
today, with morning and afternoon sessions. This evening
there will be a banquet, and a sightseeing trip Friday.
9/10/63 Certificate presented to Dr. Ketchum from A.R.E.
President C. W. Dillman:
The Association for Research and Enlightenment
honors
Wesley Harrington Ketchum, M.D.
To Salute his pioneering achievements in the field of
extrasensory perception to aid the sick and the helpless, and
in particular his association with Edgar Cayce, whose unique
capacities as a sensitive he was among the earliest to
recognize and,
To Pay Tribute to the courage with which he dared to face
doubt, cynicism and detraction as the first Doctor of
Medicine to champion the cause of Edgar Cayce, and
To Testify to the appreciation of his vision and faith by
thousands who benefited from the study and use of the
insights in the Edgar Cayce readings in later years, the
Members of the Governing Board of the Association for
Research and Enlightenment have caused this record to be
engrossed, and a copy thereof deposited in the archives of
the Association, this 10th day of September, 1963.
[signed] C. W. Dillman
President
6/12/67 Dr. Robert Ketchum's letter to Dr. F. J. Lichtigfeld:
Robert D. Ketchum, M.D.
5624 Oso Avenue
Woodland Hills, California
Dear Dr. Lichtigfeld; [F. J. Lichtigfeld, M.D., 440 Viola
Rd., Apt. 20, Spring Valley, N.Y.]
Your letter of May 30, 1967 has been received. I am very
sorry to have to report that my father, Wesley H. Ketchum,
M.D. is not able to answer your letter. He is in failing
health, and is confined to hospital. He is now 89 years old
and time has its way of taking its toll.
I think that I can provide the information that you are
requesting, however. I have heard many of Dad's discussions
about Cayce over the years, and I have some of Dad's papers
on the subject.
The particular case that you refer to [the [
3502] case]
was 'diagnosed' by Cayce as CNS lues, not dementia praecox as
had been indicated by the various contemporary consultants.
The popular "specific" of the day for CNS lues [Central
Nervous System lues - syphilis] was potassium iodide. This
had been in vogue since the mid 1830's. In this particular
case, after Cayce's reading, the patient was evidently
started on saturated solution of potassium iodide in what
were relatively high doses. To quote Dad's notes, "I started
with ten drops in the morning, eleven at noon, twelve at
night - thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, up to twenty - then
back, step by step, to ten; watching him every day". In
three or four weeks the patient was said to have been much
improved.
I hope that this provides the information which you desire.
Sincerely yours, [signed] Robert D. Ketchum, M.D., F.A.C.P.
1/67 See Jess Stern's book, THE SLEEPING PROPHET for details
of the [
3502] case, pp. 98--101.
Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation