● ● ●  of vapors from cologne, chloroform, ether, camphor etc. but to find myself the helpless cripple I was before I saw Dr. Quimby.

The Physician attending said I had taken the last step I ever should, but in two days I got out of bed alone, and will walk; but yet I confess I am frightened and out of that nervous heat my friends are forming, spite of me, the terrible spinal affection from which I have suffered so long and hopelessly. . . . Now cant you help me? I believe you can. I write this with this feeling: I think that I could help another in my condition if they had not placed their intelligence in matter. This I have not done, and yet I am slowly failing. Won’t you write me if you will undertake for me if I can get to you?²⁵

I am sorry to hear of your misfortune, and hope that with courage and patience neither the prediction of the Dr. nor your own fears will prove true. . . . As to turning Dr. myself, & undertaking to fill Dr Q’s place and carry on his work, it is not to be thought of for a minute. Can an infant do a strong man’s work? Nor would I if I could. Dr Q. gave himself away to his patients. To be sure he did a great work, but what will it avail in fifty years from now, if his theory does not come out . . . ? He did work some change in the minds of the people, which will grow with the developement & progress of the world. . . . So with Jesus. He had an effect which was lasting & still exists. But his great aim was a failure. He did not succeed, nor has Dr Q. succeeded in establishing the science he aimed to do. The true way to establish it is, as I look at it, to lecture, & by a paper make that the means, rather more than the curing, to introduce the truth. . . .

No I would not cure if I could, not to make a practice of it, as Dr Q. did. Yet Mrs Patterson I would be glad to help you in your trouble. But I am not able to do it. My attention has not been given that way, & my occupation . . . is of a nature such as to keep my mind  ● ● ●