NURSE RENE CAISSE: Part II
Dr. Banting wanted Nurse Caisse to apply to the University of Toronto to research Essiac further. She declined on the grounds that she would have to give them all of her research, along with the Essiac recipe. This would allow them to decline her application and research the formula themselves. She felt they may archive the formula and it would be forgotten. Nurse Caisse wanted to establish an actual Essiac practice. She had, by this time, found if the herbs were brewed properly, there were no side effects. It could do patients no harm and could definitely lengthen the lives of cancer patients. Dr. Banting agreed with Nurse Caisse's decision.
Nurse Caisse could not afford to continue living in Toronto after she gave up nursing. She didn't charge her patients for the Essiac treatment and lived on contributions they donated. She moved to Timmins, Ontario. Dr. J.A. McInnis asked her to treat his terminally ill patients. Being a dedicated medical professional, she agreed. The results of these treatments were successful.
Nurse Caisse rented a house and moved to Peterborough, Ontario. As soon as she'd moved, the College of Physicians and Surgeons issued a warrant for her arrest. The charge - "practicing medicine without a licence." Upon talking to Nurse Caisse and her patients, the investigator decided not to issue the warrant.
Nurse Caisse wrote to The Honorable Dr. J.A. Faulkner, Canada's Minister of Health to ask for a hearing. The hearing was granted. Twelve patients and five doctors attended the hearing. Dr. Faulkner ruled that Nurse Caisse could continue to administer Essiac as long as she had written diagnoses from the patient's doctor and didn't charge for her services. Nurse Caisse didn't realize the prosecution and opposition that would confront her.
Nurse Caisse never claimed that Essiac was a cure for cancer. Many of the doctors who sent patients to her did. The patients claimed they had been cured. Nurse Caisse's goal was to control cancer and alleviate pain. She treated patients for 25 years with injections and Essiac Tea. She administered all treatment under the observation of doctors.
A few days after Dr. Faulkner ruled that Nurse Caisse could continue to administer Essiac, Dr. Albert Bastedo of Bracebridge, Ontario contacted her. He had sent a patient to Nurse Caisse who suffered from bowel cancer. The results of the Essiac treatment amazed him. He had gone before the Bracebridge Town Council and asked that the British Lion Hotel building be used as a cancer clinic. The Mayor and Town Council were enthusiastic. They wanted Nurse Caisse to open the clinic immediately. From 1934 to 1942, she paid $1.00 per month to rent the building. She treated thousands of people. Some came in ambulances, not able to sit up. After a few treatments, they were able to walk into the clinic unaided.
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