This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 115 West 35th Street, Virginia Beach, Va., this 19th day of June, 1931, in accordance with request made by self - Mrs. [4631].

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

TEXT

1. EC: Yes, we have the body here, [4631]. This, with the SURROUNDINGS, we have had before.
2. In the physical forces of the body we find there are those conditions that are SERIOUSLY disturbing the body. These, as we find, come from TWO direct causes: the POSITION of the stomach itself PRODUCES fermentation and gas in the intestinal tract; also this has, of its very nature, produced that tendency of coagulation of the gastric forces in the gall ducts and bladder themselves. Not as hardened stones (save very little), but that that produces for acute pains, nausea, and a TENDENCY for constipation, and the opposite at times when those forces are taken to act upon the gastric forces of the digestive system. This produces a BURNING sensation in the stomach, even to the cardiac end and up the esophagus; this forming then a pressure even in the heart's region, producing a fastness of pulse, cold, clammy sensations coming over the system from these; tendency as to feel that all the organs of the pelvis and the stomach are going low; in fact, they ARE too low - makes a dipping in the stomach itself proper!
3. To meet the needs in the present time, there should be the rest, at least off of the feet, and BETTER that the body be PRONE - with the feet higher than the head! and apply those of the heavy castor oil packs OVER the LIVER area. Best that these be with SATURATED cloths, two or three thicknesses of flannel, sufficiently large to cover the whole liver area; then make packs of heavy salt - heat these (as heat the oil, as much as the body may stand) - and keep these over this for two to three hours at a time, twice a day - see? TAKING internally small quantities OFTEN of olive oil, all the body may assimilate - take it every hour, half a teaspoonful.
4. We would also use a high enema once or twice a week, for the week that the body would remain off of feet - see? and IN same put as this proportions: To a gallon and a half of water add IODIZED salt a heaping teaspoonful, plain baking soda a level tablespoonful. Stir this well in the water before given as a high enema, see?
5. We would also use those vibrations of an electrical driven vibrator, to massage over the shoulders, the neck, base of the brain, and ACROSS the region at the 9th and 10th dorsal - see? This would be given at eventide, before the body is ready to rest.
6. The diet during the period would be:
7. Mornings - citrus fruit juices. Alternate these. Don't let them always be oranges, or all grapefruit, or all lemons - but alternate them!
8. Noons - stewed fruits; as prunes, as peaches, as apricots, as any of those that are laxative in their nature - see? figs, and the like - but NOT with too much sugar! A little milk or cream, or buttermilk, or Bulgarian milk, may be taken at the same meal - see?
9. Evenings - very crisp bacon (no grease in it!), with a little stimuli as of (not too strong) coffee, or a little bit of tea, with toast or egg - see?
10. We will find you will get rid of these conditions!
11. Be well when the body is on the feet again, that a support for the stomach itself be worn, until this has ADJUSTED itself - that is, for five to six weeks. Ready for questions.
12. (Q) What should be done for the acid condition?
    (A) You do this and you'll get rid of the acid condition! Follow the diet closely; also follow those packs TWICE a day - see? and take the olive oil regularly - of course, don't wake up to take it - you won't, if you give the vibrations over the shoulders and across the diaphragm region.
    Do that. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to File

BACKGROUND

1. See 4631-1.
2. 5/14/31 Letter: "...I have been feeling so bad, don't think I have felt good in two months, and some nights when I get home I just go to bed and cry... Just when I first began to have so much trouble, was when you were having your first meeting [A.R.E. organization meeting], and I just hated to ask you to do anything for me, when you had so much trouble of your own. I thought sure I had ulcerated stomach, but Dr. DuBose says not, all he did was to take seven pictures, and he says it is my gall bladder, it isn't doing something right, I don't know what he means. But he didn't give me a thing, just told me to stop eating meat, drinking sweet milk, buttermilk, and not to eat anything with grease, as the picture was cloudy looking, and I just must keep fats and grease out of stomach, as that is what forms stones, and that is what I am trying to do, is to keep more stones from forming. I have found out from my own experience that Magnesia will help me to digest what I eat, so for a while I took just a teaspoonful after each meal, but got so discouraged that I even quit that. Have just about averaged losing a meal a day, and after I do, I have one of those terrible stomach headaches. But I am still hoping that I will soon be O.K. Life is no pleasure living like I have for the past two months. I may be wrong, but I still believe that it is as much my mind as anything else, for I don't know a thing but work and home. Never get out of the house at night, I haven't even been to the pictures since January, and I am just worn out. My work keeps me going during the week, but when Sunday comes I just give up and go to bed. For the past two Sundays I haven't even dressed from Saturday night until Monday morning. I am hoping that I will soon be lots better, and at least have more life, get where I do care about something.
   "I am going to give this diet plenty of time to see if it is going to help me, and if it doesn't I may have to bother you, but as you have so much on you, I promise that I won't add any more to you unless I see that I am just not getting any better. I do want to get to feeling better so bad..."
3. 5/28/31 Letter: "...More about myself, I just hate to ask you to help me, when I know you are so busy and have your hands, mind and heart full. But I do know that I am not getting any better, and Mamma made me promise her before I left home at lunch that I would write you this afternoon. They all seem very much upset about me, but I tell them that I am going to live six years, so I must live to get my girl [5566] through high school. But if you have time, just any time that you can spare, see what you can do for me and I will mail you a check real soon. Am not taking a thing, except a tenth of a grain of Calomel each night, and [...], [the druggist] told me to take that for this acid, have some kind of a rash on my arms and neck, but is much worse after my stomach sours on me, or after I lose a meal.
   "I am at the store each day until 6:00, go to the bank from 11:30 until 12:00, at lunch from 12:00 until 1:00, and at the store all the rest of the time. Now this is what I want to know: What is the trouble with my stomach, and what diet should I have, what to do for this acid and souring of everything that I eat? Is there a permanent cure, or am I going to have to be careful for the rest of my life? Am I going to be able to continue working, and get alright by just being careful? In other words, I just want to know what the trouble is, and what to do to get myself straight. Anything that you think would help me, or that you think should be asked, just ask it, for I know you are so much better about asking questions than I am. I have only been taking this Calomel since Saturday night, [...] [the druggist] said that would help me. I just get like somebody with the 'itch' at times..."
4. 6/04/31 EC's letter: "...Now, about yourself - having been 'put out of the running' for the last week, there has been quite an accumulation of requests, and then the meeting on this week naturally makes things more complicated. I have felt that if it were possible I should have a few days rest or recreation after the meeting, so I don't know just when I can make the appointment, but should any acute condition arise don't hesitate to wire me - but we are putting you on the list and will get it within the next three or four weeks anyway. I certainly hope, though, that you get along alright, though I feel like possibly you need some immediate attention. [4631], don't think I want to interfere - but I would be afraid of taking so much Calomel. If you would make that small doses of Epsom Salts it would be very much better, I think. Calomel has such a weakening effect upon your blood supply, and mercury - which is the basis of Calomel - is softening to the bone, and may cause troubles later on that would be mighty hard to deal with. [2335] - [the druggist] may know better than I do, but of course I am giving the experience of the readings alone..."
   [GD's note: Mr. [2335], the druggist, was Mrs. [4631]'s cousin.]
5. 6/09/31 Letter: "...Thank you for the suggestion about the Calomel, and I haven't taken any since Saturday night. I do believe that that was one thing that was just making me so weak, I simply have no strength at all. While I was only taking a tenth of a grain at a time, that may be the cause of it, and I am not taking any more. I wasn't doing at all well last week, and didn't see any change for the better until yesterday, and really did sleep all night long last night without waking, and that is very unusual for me, here of late. Still have this breaking out on my arms and neck, but I am just waiting until I hear from you, so as soon as you feel better and have the time, I certainly will appreciate your giving the reading for me. Mamma has been watching the mail to hear from you, and when your letter came yesterday, she called me up and wanted to know if she could read it. Just thought I would tell you this, to let you know how anxious we are for the reading, and how hard I am going to try and do as it says. The folks at home have been mighty uneasy about me, and every one of them have been lovely to me. Brother doesn't even want me to sew or do a thing at night, says I need the rest. I am just about all in when I get home, but am so thankful that I haven't lost a meal since Sunday night, and do feel better. To go that long is better than I have done in two months..."

REPORTS

1. GD's note: Notice paragraph one of the reading [4631-2] seems to indicate that Mrs. [4631] was not at her business address which was used for the reading, and that information was gotten from the surroundings or vibrations of the body. Since the reading was taken at 12:05 noon, she evidently, according to her correspondence, was on her way home for lunch at that time.
2. 6/19/31 EC's letter: "...Just a note to enclose this reading. I am sending it Special, so you will get it Sunday. Take a week's vacation and get yourself in shape.
   "We are all upset here over having to move [from 35th St.] by the first of July. You will get a real letter later. Take a week off now and follow these treatments closely; otherwise you may have to take longer later on..."
3. 6/22/31 Letter: "...You no doubt have the information we got Friday. There is no need of my telling you how very necessary it is for you to follow very explicitly the directions given. The folks will probably insist on you doing it - I hope they will. True enough, it's going to require your being away from work for a few days. Better that, however, than being away a longer time and suffering a whole lot a little later on.
   "We are all fairly well here. A little bit perturbed right at this time, as we have got to get a house and move, since our good friend [the Blumenthals] have decided we are undesirable tenants in their house - but possibly we will be settled somewhere in the next week or so. Don't think we will leave the Beach, unless we have to..."
   [GD's note: Notice that Mrs. [4631] wrote on the same day that EC wrote her (above). This happened many times in their correspondence, as I discovered while studying this case.]
4. 6/22/31 Letter from [4631]: "...Just a note to tell you how much I thank you for the reading, and how glad I was to get it.
   "It couldn't have described my feelings any better, for every single symptom was exactly like I am. We have all read it over and over. But the bad part, both of my bosses are out of town, and it is out of the question for me to get off now, but I am staying off of my feet all I can, and stayed on the bed all day yesterday.
   "I know that there isn't a soul up who feels any worse than I do, for I have to make myself do everything I do, and am so weak, I just haven't life to keep going. I am hoping to get better, and am going to stay in bed my week, and do exactly what you say just as soon as I can get off. Mamma is going to have [...] come and be with me while she is giving the packs. I know that I can't keep going like I am, only weigh 138. Lost my supper and also my dinner today, and it was only prunes and two baked apples, so it has to come back regardless of what I eat. But I just know when I get my week, and go exactly according to your instructions, that I am going to be O.K. I would have started this week, but with both of the bosses out of town, I just have to stay here. With business conditions like they are, I feel like I ought to stay and do all I can, so I mean things are terrible here.
   "Mamma told me to be sure and thank you for her, for she didn't think she had ever read a reading that was any plainer, and hit the condition any better than this one did, and I mean she is so anxious for me to have my week off..."
5. 7/09/31 EC's letter: "...We moved last week, we live now at 105th Street, on the ocean front [later known as 67th Street]. It's been a very hard proposition, of course haven't gotten straightened up as yet - but we are gradually getting in shape. Though we don't feel at home quite yet, I hope we will be able to go ahead with our work and be of some help to someone else..."
6. 7/28/31 Letter: "...I think about you all so often, and have intended writing for weeks, but just feel so bad, it is all that I can do to keep going, and when I go home I go straight to bed.
   "Mr. [...] went to Florida the 2nd of July and is still there, so it hasn't been so I could be away from the store for a day, and I mean it is taking my best to keep going. Don't stand any more than I can help, and have the hot applications each night. They just relax me every time. Had to leave them off Sunday night, as this incision looked like it was going to rise, just is tender, I guess, and the heat made it so red, so I thought best to stop for a few nights. Papa made the blocks for me to use under the foot of my bed.
   "We are expecting Mr. [...] the last of this week, and as soon as I finish the first of the month's work, I am to get my week off, and I surely am going to rest, just do nothing. It has been a disappointment to me that I had to keep going, when I know that I am losing ground, but it is a case of have to. But I am hoping that after I rest up good, and just stay in bed, that I will be O.K..."
7. 8/06/31 EC's letter: "...In the application of those packs, [4631], if it's possible I think that you should keep them a little bit more over the liver area - not allow them to come down so low as to be over the scar, for I certainly know what it means to apply a poultice to such a condition. When I had gallstones in Texas, and they applied so MUCH heat, it opened the scar for me..."
8. 8/12/31 Mother's letter: "...Just a line to tell you that [4631] was operated on Monday morning. Gall bladder was highly inflamed with some infection. Gall bladder was not removed but attached to stomach. Took general anesthetic - not nauseated from that but has been later. Spent a miserable night Monday and yesterday, too. Much better last night and today. Doctor assures she is doing fine. Mrs. [...] nursing her..."
9. 9/31 Letter: "...Just a note to let you know I am improving real fast. While I haven't been up all day yet, hope to real soon. Rest from 1:00 to 3:30 or 4:00. Went to the hospital six weeks ago tonight, and oh, how I do thank God it is over. Guess you heard about the backset I had on my eleventh day - something like a fainting spell. They all felt I was gone. Two doctors and two nurses worked with me from 4:30 until 8:00, gave me all kinds of transfusions, I didn't know a thing. For several days after that the home folks were only allowed to see me for five minutes at a time. I told Dr. Kirkpatrick it looked like I improved mighty slowly and he said, 'Don't complain, you are darn lucky to be living.' So I try to look at it that way. Have been away from the store six weeks. Dr. Doherty told me I could go to the store for a while in the morning, and as soon as I felt myself getting tired to come home. I really believe it will help me a whole lot to have something to think about besides myself. I am going to take it mighty slow, so don't be uneasy. I have gone through enough, and surely am going to take care of myself. Have had a much harder time than I ever dreamed I would have.
   "Didn't know I did have so many friends, everybody has been lovely to me..."
10. 11/31 Letter: "...I have thought of you both so many many times and intended writing sooner, but honest, I feel so bad all the time that I don't do any more than I have to.
    "Had another one of those smothery spells two weeks ago last night, had to call [nurse] and she stayed with me until Monday P.M. Toxic poison started Sunday, and I have never been so nauseated, all the bile came through my mouth. Was out of work until this past Thursday. So you really see I am having a time. Still no appetite, and if I make myself eat, it comes back. Discouraged doesn't begin to express how I feel.
    "Dr. Doherty sent for me to come to his office this past Wednesday, said my blood and kidneys were O.K., but circulation was real bad, and that the nausea was caused from my nerves, and if I didn't get out more and get my nerves stronger that I was going to have a real breakdown, mental and physical..." [GD's note: All these details concerning her physical condition are included in the report to show that the real condition which the reading mentioned had not been corrected by surgery.]
11. 1/32 Letter: "...Conditions are so bad here, salaries cut, and so many out of work. Seems every line of business is having the same trouble...
    "Looks like I can't get straight, have too much acid, so of course I stay nauseated and am broken out a sight. Have left off all raw fruits, eggs and things that make acid. Only weigh 122. I am still hoping to be well and feel good once more. Nobody living knows what I have gone through and have to work to hold my job. Just hope better days are ahead..."
12. 2/08/32 EC's letter: "...Just a line to let you hear from us. We have been missing your letters of late, but realize that you are not feeling the very best and trying to carry on your work under such conditions I'm sure has not given you time for your correspondence as much as you might desire. Trust, though, that you are feeling continually on the improve, and that you do not let the cares of this world overshadow too much your naturally sunny disposition. Fear will often unfit us for even our material duties, and work a hardship on our physical bodies that are attempting to create the necessary elements for not only the resuscitation but the rebuilding of conditions that have been out of line. If we think of this rather seriously - or earnestly, I believe is the better word - we will recognize immediately how much help cheerful thoughts, hopeful thoughts, can be - and are - in our physical makeup; for if we worry and worry and think about depressions, and wondering if we are going to get through with this, that or the other (all material things), it just unfits us even to do those very material things; while hope, optimism, cheery thoughts, a good laugh now and then, will do us more good than a whole bucket-full of medicine or a whole barrel-full of worrying. Doctors, as you know, are sometimes very wonderful men - but healing or correction of any nature MUST be done FROM within; for it is in HIM we live and move and have our being. No doubt you feel that I am a good one to try to preach to you, who have had the surroundings you have had all your life, but oftentimes we are so close to a thing, [4631], that we can't see the blessings, or the hope and help that is at our own hand, and we are looking somewhere else for the very things we have within our own selves...
    "We occasionally hear from Mrs. [310]. Such a wonderful, wonderful soul! She and [2457] both have told us at times about the Church work there, and I am sure many of the old guard will never feel his place (Mrs. [310]'s husband, Mr. [5473]) can ever be taken by anyone. In fact, we all know it can't; for each entity, each soul, has its influence upon each soul it contacts - SOMETHING that is their very own, and usually it's the reflection that is manifested in their lives of their God, their Saviour, THEIR standard of life..."
13. 3/32 Mrs. [4631] sent a letter of appreciation for EC's letter of advice.
14. 3/28/32 EC's letter: "...We were indeed very glad to have yours of some days ago. Also I want to thank you very much for remembering us with the lovely Easter greetings. We should at this season, of all seasons, be happy counting our blessings that He has given us. Though the hours may have been dark, though harsh words may have hurt much, though unkindnesses may have stunned us often, His grace is sufficient - and He suffered all of these that we might have a glorious Easter day. If we would have a glorious Easter, if we would wish to walk in newness of life with Him, when these trials and tribulations are over, we must ever look up, lift up, putting our trust in Him, believing He is sufficient. Our arms are very short, but all power in heaven and earth is His - for that Easter day!
    "Yes, it is very wrong to get where we don't care. It's one thing to preach and another thing to practice, and it's only when we are able to get hold of that consciousness of His presence, and really KNOW that Jesus cares, that we fully realize the only way we have of repaying Him is by showing our love and our care for our fellow creatures - by making the world a better place in which to live..."
15. 4/32 Letter: "...It looks like I just can't get straight, had another one of those weak spells, or whatever they are, last night. Nearly scared the folks at home to death. So don't feel a bit good today, but am still hoping..."
16. 4/13/32 EC's letter: "...Certainly am sorry to know that you are still having trouble occasionally with those weak spells, but I hope you will be very patient and will continue to look on the bright side of everything. I don't have to remind you of all the promises our Saviour has made. You have been raised up on them, but so many of us, [4631], have come to accept those as being true, yet so few of us attempt to live them day by day. We say we believe them, and immediately begin to explain them away - but with His patience, His love, manifested in our hearts day by day to our fellow man, to our enemies even, makes those promises more secure - and especially that one that is so necessary to bring health, strength, joy and gladness in being alive, that says, 'Lo I am with you always. Be not afraid, for ye will not be tempted beyond that which you are able to bear', and 'What ye ask in my name, believing, that will the Father do, that I may be glorified in you.'... "I don't know how much you have ever been interested in advanced thought, [4631]. Now, I do not mean by advanced thought what some people call better than the Good Book itself and go hobbling after theories which they give some fancy names - but we have quite an interesting group in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, who for some months have been studying the information given through the readings [[262] series]. Information that pertains to everyday living, regarding our relationship to our God, to ourselves, and to our fellow man. This group meets every week, and is preparing some lessons. Each member has been able, I am sure, to get a great deal more out of life. Those who are husbands are better husbands; wives are better wives; mothers better mothers; Sunday-school teachers better teachers; everyday workers, bookkeepers, accountants, stenographers or clerks, are better in their daily walks. At least that is the way each have expressed themselves. I am wondering if these lessons would be of interest to you. If they would make life more worthwhile for you, as they seemingly have to those who have made a study of them, we would certainly like to send them to you. Please understand, I am not trying to induce you to study something in which you have no interest, but in this same group we have what is known as the Healing Group, and there are many seeming miracles taking place in the lives of those individuals who are praying with this group at a specified time twice each day [[281] series]. I do not mean to imply that your prayers would not ascend as high as any of the group's, but to know others love you, even as He loved us, and are talking to Him, with Him, about you, certainly brings a different attitude, if we are to believe the reports of so many..."
17. 4/19/33 Letter: "...I went to the hospital six weeks ago today and I mean it was the most horrible experience I ever went through. Not even a drop of water went in my mouth from midnight Tuesday until Friday night, everything was given other ways. I thought I asked Mamma to write you a card, but I was so very sick, think I scared everybody to death. Just before I left the hospital, the nurse told me none of them ever expected me to leave them alive. But I made up my mind to fight, so I do want to live for my precious girl [5566] and believe I am going to be strong and well. Dr. Skinner said I would not have lived but a very short time. Guess you heard that I had three operations when I only went there to have one. Had the infected gall bladder removed, also taken out of my stomach, also a piece that had gone bad, and adhesions. Everybody was lovely to me and I mean Dr. Skinner was lovely, said my operation was the first of its kind that he had ever done. Am feeling just fine, as long as I just sit; not so hot at walking or standing, but am getting stronger. Have a very liberal diet..."
18. 7/24/33 Letter: "...As long as I can manage to keep the bile out of my system I can get along fine, feel better than I have in years, but my! how awful it is when I get full of that stuff, can't eat, see, or anything. But I am hoping as my system gets used to this new way of doing, that I will be O.K..."
    [GD's note: Mrs. [4631] continued her correspondence with EC, telling of her daughter [5566] becoming an organist, majoring in religious education, and finally marrying a young ordained minister, etc. She, Mrs. [4631], wrote more optimistically after her physical condition became better, but there was always the tinge of self-pity.]
19. 11/48 Mrs. [2457]'s letter: "You remember Mr. [...] he married [4631] sometime ago. From a mole removed on his back last week he had two ribs removed and only a year's time allotted to this plane. His first wife had cancer, too, but it is he this time."
20. 3/72 GD's note: I talked to Mrs. [4631] in the hospital (in Ala.) just before she was going into surgery. Her voice was very weak and she was quite depressed, as I had always remembered her to be.
21. 5/24/72 A friend wrote GD: "Did anyone write you that [4631] died? She had cancer."

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