This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association in Virginia Beach, Va., this 1st day of April, 1944, in accordance with request made by the father - Sgt. [...], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research and Enlightenment.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. (Notes read to and transcribed by Jeanette Fitch.)

TEXT

1. EC: Yes - a developing body - a broken cell in the periods of gestation. Thus the accumulations in the segments along the spine. Unless great measures are taken before the body passes its puberty, it will be one with a deformity in spine.
2. We would begin in the present giving the body each day a very hot bath, whether morning or evening - evening the better, for it should be allowed to rest or sleep after the treatment. This should not be so hot as to be uncomfortable to the body. Immediately afterwards, place over the area on the spinal column two thicknesses of heavy cotton cloth saturated with Glyco-Thymoline. Place over this for five to ten minutes a hot water bottle; not dry heat, not an electric pad but a hot water bottle - and let it be pretty warm.
3. When this is taken off, after five to ten minutes, massage the body gently but thoroughly along the whole length of the spine with cocoa butter.
4. Do this consistently, persistently.
5. Then let the body develop a normal life. Thus we will keep better conditions and reduce much of the troubles that may arise later, making much better conditions for the body.
6. Ready for questions.
7. We are through with this reading.

   Copy to Father
   Copy to Ass'n file
   Copy under case number for indexing
   (See directions [which were enclosed] for preparing Glyco-Thymoline Packs.)

BACKGROUND

1. 11/13/43 Letter from [4045]'s father: "...I know you are quite busy but we need your help. My wife and I had a darling daughter born ... and she has a deformed back. The doctors don't seem to know much about its cause or cure. They told us recently she had less than an even chance to be normal. Surely God will show His mercy through you and help us. As she has not impaired her nervous system she has normal movement for this time. We are afraid that as she grows older and becomes more active some damage may be done. ...I wrote in previously for help for myself. My problem is still real but dwindles into nothingness when compared with help for my daughter..."
2. 12/28/43 Letter from [4045]'s father: "...I secured a copy of your book and read it. Your unusual talent amazes me. ...I desire to secure a physical reading for my daughter and a life reading for myself. I know that each must wait his turn. However I feel that my daughter's condition will become serious when she attempts crawling, sitting and walking. Since this is some months hence, possibly her turn will come by that time. ...My wife asked 'Why pay another man to pray for you?' I feel that you have come a long way. I am only a beginner. My need is now. Perhaps the day will not be long off when each of us can pray for himself..."
3. 1/12/44 Letter from [4045]'s father submitting questions: "...What is the trouble with her spine? What will cure it? Is it a permanent condition? Will it stunt normal growth of her spine? Will it impair her nervous system and her coordinated movement? Is it properly termed a bifida? What caused it? I know that you can help us..."

REPORTS

1. 4/25/44 Letter from [4045]'s father: "...We received the reading for our daughter and are following the instructions. I was wondering what happened to all the questions we included in our application. On the reading it stated 'Ready for questions' and then on the next page it stated 'Reading is finished.' I realize that you are quite busy and so will not repeat any of the questions I asked... We both want to express our thanks to Edgar Cayce for the reading for we are sure he will help our daughter. We have neglected reading the Bible too long but have started studying it. I know we are far from being good Christians but at least I think we are heading in the right direction at last..."
2. 6/28/44 Letter from [4045]'s father: "...I would like to have a possible check reading for my daughter, and naturally it will be included in any financial considerations. ...She is doing fine, although there is still a knot in her spinal column. Also a check reading was suggested previously..."
3. 9/15/44 Letter from [4045]'s father: "...I am very sorry to hear about Mr. Cayce's illness. ...As for my life reading, it is perfectly satisfactory with me if we leave matters as they are till a later date... Recently you asked for some information about my baby. ...I am sending this letter air mail... I was under the impression I had mailed it two weeks ago... First symptoms: In giving the baby a bath at age of 2 weeks, a bump in the back was discovered. We took the baby to Dr. Kimball (Army doctor who delivered the baby) and Dr. Cohen (also Army doctor on duty also at ... in ...). The M.D.'s described the condition as a spinal bifida. Treatment: In order to strengthen the bones the baby was given vitamins in her formula in order to combat the condition as early as possible. The vitamin was in form of homocriben, 1 teaspoonful per day. Later treatment: In March of 1944, the baby was taken to Dr. Dixon of ..., a bone specialist. He recommended a girdle which the baby started wearing at the time. Reading: On 4/01/44 recommended treatment with glyco-thymoline which was started as soon as the reading was received and has been continued since that time, regularly. Later treatment: Feeling dissatisfied with the treatment of Dr. Dixon (a girdle) which was given rapidly without any thorough examination, my mother and father-in-law suggested we take the baby to Mayos Clinic while I was home on furlough. On 23rd of August '44, the baby was taken to Mayo Clinic and examined by Dr. Bickel and other doctors. Earlier X-rays were supplemented by more X-rays at this time. It was his recommendation to discontinue use of the girdle as it was not doing any good. X-rays showed that nature was producing an extra bone to act as a support for the weak vertebrae. Also Dr. Bickel said that the child had every chance to develop normally and to send him an X-ray in six months." [A drawing of the spine - indicating that the approximate location of the bump - or lump, would be in the lumbar section.]...
4. 9/01/51 letter from [4045]'s father in answer to questionnaire: "...Deformed back - prenatal - discovered shortly after birth. Duration permanent, although nature has provided an extra bone to support spinal column and child is developing normally - shows no particular deformity and is growing satisfactorily. We kept up the treatments for about a year - we feel they helped our daughter but it would be a difficult thing to prove.
   "I am not particularly concerned about proving anything - I feel that God worked thru Edgar Cayce to help many people and my daughter was fortunate enough to be one of them.
   "Please advise me if any additional information is required.
   "The child grew without any sort of brace and has led the life of a normal child..."
5. 2/01/59 Letter from [4045]'s father: "...I am now reading a book about the beloved Edgar Cayce and it mentions that he wrote a book on AURAS and I am wondering if copies of it are available.
   "He gave a reading for my daughter [4045] and I'm happy to report that she is in good health and I'm sure her congenital condition was helped by the reading..."
6. 4/68 Father's letter to HLC: "Also - for the record - your father did a reading for my daughter [4045]. We followed directions to the letter - plus prayer and more prayer, and today our daughter walks without brace or operation on her spinal bifida - and leads an active, full life. Many thanks."
7. 11/20/72 See Source File Key #4045 for Newsweek article on possible factors related to congenital spinal defects in general and GD's 11/30/72 note thereto re 4045-1.

Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation