This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 27th day of May, 1944, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [5162], new Active Member of the Ass'n for Research and Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by the book, THERE IS A RIVER.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis and J. Fitch, Stenos.

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 the relief of this body; answering the questions, as I ask them.
2. EC: Yes, we have the body here, [5162].
3. As we find, there is rather the complication of disturbances. These have been gradually built by the body in response, as it were, to some dissipations through other experiences in the earth; and these have responded to weaknesses of the inner man, though they are manifested in the physical activities of the central nervous system and the organs of same.
4. Thus, as we find, involve (not all at once, but at varied periods), the lungs, heart, liver and kidneys in their functioning; and yet the weaknesses which are indicated in these organs have changed according to administrations and the sincerity with which the individual entity has applied or disregarded those warnings which have been given the body.
5. Thus, there is a plethoric condition in those areas of the transverse colon and descending colon.
6. When there are those administrations, and the applications which prevent the pressures on the nerve system as related to sympathetic and cerebro-spinal systems, there is less disturbance with the heart.
7. There is a better elimination when there are the precautions as to diet and to the taking of too great amount of stimuli, which causes the reactions in the gall duct, spleen and pancreas to give rise to a disturbance in the functioning of the organs of liver and kidneys.
8. These, as we find, are the sources; and the administrations which have been made we would keep, especially the hydrotherapy. We would not make or take the exercises as to raise the kundaline forces in the body without leaving that kind of an experience that is of a nature to coordinate the activities of such exercises through the organs and centers of the body. Not that these are not good, but it is not very good to give a child a razor, not very good to use a razor to sharpen pencils and try to shave with same. So it is in the activities of those who disregard the means to an end of bringing coordination to organs of the body.
9. The abstinence of or from relationships with the opposite sex is well when the creative force is put to creative activity in the mental, but when these are at variance with other conditions these may become just as harmful to the imaginative system or to the central nervous system, from breaking of activities with the sympathetic and the cerebrospinal, and thus become harmful.
10. There is an activity in the body that we know as coordination. When the mind and the body and various functionings of organs in the body are kept in better relationships one to another, we will find there will be bettered conditions in the body.
11. As we find, the disturbance through those areas where there are the activities of the prostate is such that at times there needs to be used the hot water treatment. This may best be administered through the Elliott machine. In the present, this would be more helpful than even those administrations which may be had by injections for same.
12. Thus, we would keep, then, the hydrotherapy treatments. Do have the colonic irrigation properly given. Do not take too much of the sweats but do take Fume Baths and a gentle massage, and when the massages are given do make coordination in those areas where the cerebro-spinal and sympathetic and the organs of the sensory system coordinate through the patches of the emunctory and lymph centers, throughout the area of the lumbar and ileum plexus, through 9th dorsal and through the brachial areas, 6th dorsal to the 1st and from the 3rd cervical to the 1st cervical. Thus better conditions will be in these.
13. In the diets, keep to those things which are not highly seasoned. Never any carbonated waters or drinks. Less of any strong drinks, for these do stir those activities in the spleen, pancreas and gall duct to being a greater distress to kidneys and bladder and the areas indicated.
14. Do not take great quantities of fats. Have a great deal of raw vegetables. Leafy vegetables which may be cooked best in their own juices would be well for the body.
15. Not too much sweets, especially chocolate of the present variety.
16. The activities in the open, whenever practical, are best for the body.
17. Ready for questions.
18. (Q) Is there any therapy for more restful sleep?
    (A) When the Elliott machine treatments are taken for the prostate we will find we will relieve those tensions through the whole of the brush end of the cerebro-spinal nervous system which coordinates with the sympathetic system, and these will bring rest.
    Do as has been given.
19. We are through with this reading.

    Two copies to Self (one for H. J. Reilly)
    Copy to Ass'n file
    Two for indexing

BACKGROUND

1. 1/07/44 Letter: "I hope that I infer correctly from Mr. Sugrue's moving and unusual book that you have not given up your Readings and that you are still available to those who need them. I do. If so, I should like to bespeak one as soon as possible... I shall be glad to fill out any required forms and give you explicit information about my physical condition if you desire, if it tends to make more desirable conditions in the Reading. However, I would prefer that the first Reading, if possible, be made without such information. I do not believe that I myself am skeptical, but I would like to have the circumstances of your initial reading convincing, beyond refutation, for skeptics of my acquaintance; (perhaps for myself too, in the long haul). I am a highly paid business executive, and can afford a proper contribution to your work, whether or not it proves of benefit to me..."
2. 2/05/44 Letter: "...Your letter of 1/15/44 confirmed my fear that I would find so many Readings scheduled ahead of mine that, in view of my physical problem, your insight may well come too late. I still hope that somehow, perhaps...it will be possible...to give me physical advice in the next 30 to 60 days, which can easily prove to be critical..."
3. 4/04/44 Telegram: "Confirming May 27 for Physical Reading. Letter follows."
4. 4/09/44 Letter: "This will supplement my telegram... I shall be at ... As soon as possible, before, after or on the same day as the Physical Reading, I should like to get a Life Reading. In connection with the Physical Reading, please answer as many of the following questions as you can... (1) Can I reasonably expect to regain my health sufficiently to justify planning toward 10 or 15 years of vigorous and active work, requiring much better physical condition than my past 10 years? (2) Is my use of alcohol and tobacco a critical factor in my present condition? (3) Are yoga exercises I attempt, spasmodically, dangerous or beneficial, or neither (to my health), or would they be, if practiced more faithfully? (4) Is marked abeyance of sexual vigor a cause or an effect of physical ailment, or largely due to mental attitude? (5) I have the impression that one reason I seem to need so much sleep is because my mind is continually thrashing during my sleep, working overtime in dreams of no particular consequence but involving great mental activity. Is there any therapy for more restful sleep? (6) Recently I read of tests being made in New York of the serum developed in Russia largely by Dr. Alexander Bogomolets. It is an 'antireticular cytotoxic' serum. When this is available here, should I take it? In closing, may I be bold enough to ask a question concerning your own work and its projecting beyond your own personal span. It seems a hundred years or more elapsed between two individuals with your extraordinary kind of faculty. But wasn't this more apt to be a matter of not discovering the talent than of its not existing in various individuals who were not aware of it? The question: have you considered preserving the continuity of a great work by search, in your dream or sleeping state, for individuals, perhaps now mere children, who possess dormantly that channel to the cosmic which you yourself command? Half a dozen such individuals, encouraged and taught by you, might constitute a greater life work, a thousand-fold, than even the prodigious good you have already done."
5. 5/23/44 Telegram: "Please add following questions for my reading... (1) Should I continue present treatments by Reilly? (2) Also, should eye have glasses? (3) Can sight be improved by eye exercise treatments?"

REPORTS

1. 6/11/44 Letter: "I am deeply troubled (as much in your behalf, I think, as my own) since receiving on June 5th the Physical Reading you made for me on May 27th. Let me explain at once that I have made gifts of copies of Mr. Sugrue's book to 7 or 8 close friends (at least one of whom has since joined the Association), and all of whom have been acquainted with my condition over a period of years. Each of these friends have been profoundly and sympathetically interested in your work and has been keenly expectant of the help I was to receive through a reading. To the ones I have since showed my reading to, it has been a source of surprise and disappointment, as it was likewise to me on a first reading, because of two circumstances:
   1. My case history for 10 years has been that of a typical arthritic-neuritic (of the baffling non-senile, non-specific type). My condition has alternated between low-grade inflammations of several joints simultaneously and very acute attacks in a single joint, with the acute condition arising suddenly and abating gradually, usually over a period of 3 to 10 days, with the pain so acute as to immobilize me for the first 4 to 24 hours. Vertebrae have been the most frequent centers of such attacks. In the past 2 years, thumbs and wrists have become focal points, and for 12 months I have had a continuing condition in my left ankle, which during a good week allows me to walk a block or two without extreme pain, and in bad weeks makes it difficult to walk fifty feet. No reference of any kind to this joint condition, nor the neuritis which I am seldom wholly free from, was made in the reading.
   2. Periodic and thorough tests during these years have indicated better-than-average health of such organs as kidneys, liver, gall bladder and heart. A few pus cells were once found in my prostate, and just on suspicion, were knocked out via sulpha drugs. Yet the reading, where it was specific, pointed only to those organs, plus the colon.
   Thus the superficial impression, at least, from the reading, was that it had wholly missed both in perception of the ailment and in diagnosis. Because both my friends and myself know that the sincerity of Edgar Cayce is above question, since further it is revealed, in Mr. Sugrue's narrative that there have been instances of your being exploited, without your knowledge, in the past, a very negative coil of thought is unleashed which in the very process of defending your good work and you [one?] ends up with such an unhappy hypothesis as this: Suppose Edgar Cayce 'got nothing' in this reading. He has been ill, a 'miss' would be pardonable. But he wouldn't know it when he awakened. Suppose a synthetic reading were put together which couldn't be 'wrong'? It would be entirely safe to tell a middle-aged man to take diathermal treatments for his prostate, and to clean out his colon and to eat prudently - and that's all the specific advice, except massage, which the reading contains. The rest is all general, even the references to heart, kidneys, liver, etc. - none of them being specified as needing attention at this time. And finally, the answer to the question about breathing exercises could have been lifted out of any book on the subject, except for the razor blade comparison. My reaction to all of that is that it is simply impossible: At least 3 of the 4 people present at the reading, including yourself, are known to be as deeply sincere as Cayce himself. Going on from there, in an attempt to reconcile at least the surface disparity between physiological condition and reading, I come up with this, and am anxious to get your reaction and assurance:
   While all my 'symptoms' seem typically arthritic, X-rays show no greater rate of change, over a period of years, in the bony structure than could be normal over the same 10 year age span. Actual changes seem to be limited to tendonous and ligamentous tissues. Moreover, on the day of the reading, I had no acute joint condition, and the semi-chronic condition in the ankle was scarcely bothering me. Suppose therefore, that this was in fact a true reading. Suppose, further that negative reports on various organs from orthodox medical sources had missed subtle conditions of infection or abnormality. Suppose these obscure conditions were the real cause of arthritic symptoms. Isn't it possible that Mr. Cayce, finding no conspicuous joint symptoms on the day of the reading, put his super-sensory finger on true causes? And suppose one more thing (on this, particularly, I should like your personal comment) - Suppose that Edgar Cayce's super-sensory mind was somewhat contemptuous during readings where the physical condition was not urgent, even desperate, suppose this mind was aware of the enormous suffering and hardship of seeking people waiting for readings. Might it not linger less over any case less acute, deal with it less fully and clearly, dismiss it almost impatiently? Have you, Mr. Cayce, found that your readings tend to follow that pattern? What I am hoping is that, from the wealth of experience you have had and from your own and your staff's analysis of previous readings, you can point out to me a tenable appraisal or conclusion which by not stretching credibility or credulity too far, will again line up and restore the confidence of people in whom I have confided and to whom the story of your work meant so much. With this, may I have a key or code to the following items in the reading which I find confusing or unclear: 1. 'In response to dissipations through other experiences...and these have responded to weaknesses of the inner man'. Does the first of these refer to previous incarnations? Can you be more specific about weaknesses of the inner man? Physical, mental or spiritual weaknesses? Of what kind within the category? Susceptible to correction or not? 2. What 'administrations and applications' prevent the pressure on the nerve system as related to sympathetic and cerebro-spinal systems? 3. Do the references to 'stimuli' and strong drinks apply to coffee, of which I take a great deal? 4. The 'hot-water treatment' through the Elliott machine is recommended 'at times'. Does this mean I need it now? The Elliott machine is not a hot-water treatment, but a treatment by intermittent electrical current. Is 'hot-water' a mistyping from imperfect notes? It has been represented to me here that the Fisher machine, which is available, uses the same wave as the older Elliott machines (which are not). Shall I have treatments by Fisher machine? 5. 'When the mind and body and various organs...are kept in better relationships...there will be bettered conditions in the body.' What do I do about this? How do I seek the better relationships? What avenues of approach? 6. 'When the massages are given, do make coordination in those areas'. Am I to make coordination? Is the masseur? What is meant by coordination? Is it code for osteopathic adjustments? What are the emunctory areas? If there is in fact an Elliott machine treatment that uses hot-water, can you advise me where it is available in New York? Reilly's does not have it or know about it. Apropos Reilly's, can you properly direct me to any other source for treatment? I am troubled by certain attitudes which I have encountered. Finally, may I ask that your records be corrected on 2 points which are of importance to me in my present personal status: First, my listing as an active member. I enrolled as an associate member, although I made a contribution to the Association in excess of the requirement. I am not ready at this time to assume the obligations of an active member and do not understand that this classification could be changed except at my request. Second, I noted that you marked my reading, and it's carbon copy, as though the latter were to be transmitted to Mr. Reilly. This I have not done, and would not think of doing. Will you kindly have this noted on your additional carbons. I have allowed Mr. Egan, Reilly's partner, to read a retyped copy of the reading which omits reference to the breathing and to the sexual intercourse. Both of those items are entirely personal and confidential, and I assume they will remain so. As to use of any other items from my correspondences and your reading, it is my understanding that you do not disclose the names of members, except with their consent. I am not in a position at this time to give that consent.
   I received no reply to my specific question about treatments for the eyes, and rather expected some comment as to why this was not included in the reading. If by any chance it was, and the notes were not retyped, may I have any information which you secured? I hope you will accept this letter in the frank and troubled spirit in which I have had to write it. I need some reassurance badly. It has been my hope to continue to contribute financially, and later personally, to the work of the Association. I do want a life reading as soon as you can schedule one, and wish here to ask if what seem to be inconsistencies in the physical reading might be completely explained by a life reading? Or another physical reading? Needless to say I shall eagerly anticipate your comment on this letter."
2. 6/16/44 EC's letter to [5162]: "I have yours of the 11th and I wish that it were possible for me to sit down and talk with you about this, rather than to try to write it, because I am a very poor hand at writing. Of course, I perfectly well understand Mr. [5162], that unless the information, no matter how correct it may be, answers something within yourself, there is not much in it. Though personally I would feel that you very probably have the source of your disturbance outlined for you and there is given you a means for the elimination of the conditions from your system. I have never known, though, thus far during the 43 years that I have been giving readings, where we offered help, no matter as to what the disagreements were with what had been done before nor how much at variance it was with a straight medical diagnosis, where anyone failed to get results if they did what the information suggested. This is quite a broad statement, I am sure. But I believe that the many thousands of records that we have will bear this out. So, I am in hopes that you will at least, think sufficiently of it to give it a consistent try.
   Yet, I understand that if you do it half-heartedly, believing all the while that it has missed the things that you feel are wrong, it won't do you any good. As for the Elliott machine, the one that is referred to is given by Dr. [...] N.Y.C. As I have seen it, it does use hot water. I understand there is a solution in it, but it is not an electrical machine at all. It is nothing like the Fisher machine and doesn't work on the same principle. Maybe you are exactly right and the other would do the work. The information evidently didn't think so. I believe if you will read this over again very carefully and then look at yourself, you will get a different feeling about it. I hope so anyway, because I realize that until you do get to feeling differently about the information, or the sources of the information, it just can't do you very much good.
   We appreciate very much your contribution to the work of the Association; and inasmuch as you were one of the sponsors of the Sponsorship Fund is why you were listed as an active member. We, of course, will be very glad to change this, if you like. If you don't find that there is something here worth studying, please, sir, let us send every penny back to you that you have ever sent to the Association. Then, you return your papers and there will certainly be no hard feelings about it. Our desire is to try and help. We can't promise anyone anything. My opinion is, Mr. [5162] that the individual gives the information. I merely am the channel through which it is sent. This may be crazy and may give you the impression that I am trying to 'pass the buck' to someone else, but I am sure you will realize from what I have said above that that is not the case. I wish I could talk with you about it. Talk to Dr. Reilly about it. He has had experiences with thousands of cases. It is the one that does just as the information suggests that gets real results, whether it appears to be in accord with what other people have told them, or not. We will be very glad to try to make an appointment for a Life Reading for you, but we are very, very far in advance with appointments at the present time. You let me know more about this before we make this appointment. Thanking you and with every good wish, I am," Sincerely, Edgar Cayce
3. 6/24/44 Letter: "It was good of you to reply so promptly and so patiently to my recent letter of distress. Let me accept at once, and with thanks, your suggestion that we talk together. I think I begin to see the outlines of important meaning in parts of the reading and if transportation is available, I could plan to visit you... Item: You will probably want to correct your records concerning... His office advises that he discontinued giving the Elliott machine treatment about 3 years ago, and is unable or unwilling to give it now... Can you refer me elsewhere?"
4. 6/28/44 Mrs. [5288] had a Physical Rdg. via his recommendation.
5. 7/19/44 Due to EC's illness, the following letter was written to [5162] by IMG: "I deeply regret the delay in answering your letter of June 24th. This has not been due to my lack of interest in your case - rather due to my own indisposition. I expect to be out of town for 2 weeks, beginning July 27th. Any Sunday after that time, I will be more than glad to discuss your reading with you. I suggest that you wait until you have this reading straightened out in your mind, before you get a life reading. We could discuss this when you visit me here. Do let me know in advance of your visit if it is convenient. Dr. [...] wrote an article in the American Medicine magazine in 1934, on the Elliott machine and should be able to refer you to someone who can give you the treatments. This machine is being widely used. We have referred people (requiring such treatments) to one of the hospitals in Dayton, Ohio, also Washington, D.C. As I understand it, (at that time) this method of treatment is not recognized by the American Medical Association. Then it only stands to reason that if you feel doubtful about using the machine, that you would still meet with disinterest. Dr. Reilly will, to the very best of his ability, follow the readings to the letter. I do not believe that he would care to treat anyone who would not have enough confidence in him to present all the details of their case, particularly when such information came through the readings and was withheld from him. Under such conditions, he could only halfway carry out your treatments, without a true picture of your condition. I believe he is quite busy with patients who desire to cooperate with him to the fullest, as are most doctors these days. This may, in part, explain the 'attitudes' which you encountered there. In my letter of June 16th, I gave you my opinion as to the source of the information. If this is true, it doesn't seem strange that the information given in your reading, would seem vague to you. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the complete and detailed report on your case. It will be most helpful to us in our research work. Thanking you for your cooperation, and hoping to be of real service, I am," Sincerely, Edgar Cayce
6. 1/21/48 Letter: "My check for $25. is enclosed to help along in your good work. Will you be good enough to send me the arthritis abstract mentioned in your letter of 12/10, together with any other recent publication..."
7. 9/29/49 Questionnaire sent. No reply.
8. 4/30/52 Notation by IMG: No record of verbal or written contact since letter of 1/21/48.
9. 10/52 D. H. Fogel, M.D. told GD he would index this case under ARTHRITIS, ATYPICAL and under PROSTATITIS.

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