MILNER STEPHEN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1076, 27 February 1883, Page 3

MILNER STEPHEN.

Tliis gentleman has arrived in Christchurch, and gave a public exhibition of his healing powers in the Academy of Music last Saturday. In introducing himself, he went through his history, and stated that men had held the same powers that he possessed from the earliest period of time of which there was a record. He also enumerated a number of cures he had effected. The following is the Press' report of what ho did in Ohristchurch :

A girl about fifteen years of age, who said she was in great pain from an attack of neuralgia which she had had for five weeks. Mr Stephen placed his hands upon her head for a few seconds, and the girl said she was better. He told her to use magnetized oil and water, A young man about eighteen, who complained of pains i.i his liver and back, which extended to his head, causing partial deafness. After Mr Stephen had laid his hand on the part affected the man said he felt ' some change.' His head being again touched, he said, ' I feel greatly relieved, and much better. The pain has gone out of my head.' Baby with whooping cough. Breathed on its chest through a small silver tube, and through a piece of red flannel■

Man about forty, who looked very ilk His wife said some doctors were of opinion that lie had a 'closed stomach,' and others that ho hud a cancer. Mr Stephen placed his ham) at the back of the patient's neck, eiplaiuin" that he did so because from tlr.t spot Lis power was transmitted through the body. He also breathed through the tube on the part of the back said to he affected. The patient said there was a slight feeling of comfort. Was told to use magnetised oil and water. Man, who said he was racked in every part. Doctors said it arose from his mind. Was a working man and' studied at night. His food did not nourish him much. Said ho felt great relief and very much stronger.

Girl eight years old. Bad cough for twelve months and could not sleep. Doctors said the lungs were bad. After beug breathed upon through the silver tube and red flannel, the girl said she felt better.

Man, one of whose eyes had been removed, and who could not see cWrly with the other. No improvement effected. The patient said lie had bemi using a lotion. Mr Stephen said that was what retarded his power. Girl about eight, on crutches. Had been suffering from hip disease for eighteen months ; leg contracted, Mr Stephen said the pain was relieved aud the leg lengthened, but it was impossible to see from the body of the hall whether this was so or not.

Ex-Poice Sergeaul John Maguire, whose side liad been paralysed since 1876 iu consequence of a shock aud exposure while doing duty at a hre at Oxford. Had a singing sound in his ear, and his eyesight was also defective. After treatment said he could see everybody in the hall as well as he could when he used to fire his rifle. Said his side was much belter, and came forward and went through the extension motions, evidently greatly delighted, aud amidst applause. Also said that the sound as of a kettle boiling had gone from his left ear. Lady in an invalid chair, had been afflicted with paralysis for seventeen years and had lost the use of her limbs for four years. No perceptible improvement.

Little girl, deaf and dumb, named Jones, inmate of Sumner Asylum. After breathing into her ears and repeating the process once or twice, Mr Stephen asked in an ordinary tone ' Can you hear V The girl turned suddenly round aud made an inarticulate sound. He breathed iuto her ear again and whispered, when she turned round as if hearing' the sound. Whispered ' Bo' in her ear, and she repeated the syllable. The result of this ease was received with applause. After the patient left the stage Mr Stephen said the doctor who was present informed him that the girl could now hear the ticking of a watch at a distance of three inches. The father of the patient said that when anyone holloaed she would always jump round and repeat the noise, but she had never heard the ticking of a watch before.

Man about forty-five, suffering from paralysis. His hand was shaking as if from palsy. Said he did not think he dragged his leg so much. Otherwise there was no improvement.

Girl of twelve with scrofulous sores. Mr Stephen said there was a partial cure, but he could not afford the timo then to complete it. Young man about eighteen was nearsigh tad. Said it might be fancy, but but he thought there was a slight improvement.

Little boy, about seven, who had had six operations performed on his eyes and ears. After the first trial thought he could hear better with one ear and see better with the left eye. Another trial with no fuither result.

Little girl, partially deaf and dumb. Appeared to hear better, replying to questions put in an ordinary tone. Elderly lady, with paralysis in the hand, Said she was decidedly better. Young woman, with a bad eye. Said she thought she saw better. Youth, aged eighteen, blind of an eye and deaf. Gould hear the clapping of hands. His mother said he could not hear the sound of a cannon before.

Girl, about sixteen, with contracted leg. Mr Stephen said it was lengthened an inch and a half y and still further after a subsequent trial, but the audience could not very well judge. Youug lady about twenty, appeared to have paralysis in the right arm. After consulting with Dr Bakewell, who was on the stage, Mr Stephen said it wa« one of those cases in which he had no power.

Patient with sciatica. Said he was much better.

Man afflicted with lameness. No re suit.

No perceptible improvement also in the next case, which was one of partial blind-

ness

Woman who had received a shock eight years ago, and had pubis iu her Joins and back. Said the pain was gone. Little boy about five years old, on crutches ; injury to the hip boue. No perceptible cure. Young woman with pains in her head and liver. She said she was cured.

Man who had lost one eye, the sight of the other being almost gene. Mr Stephen said the case was hopeless.

As it was now half-past sis o'clock Mr Stephen said he could not lake any ruor6 cases, and the proceedings termianted.