Today an independent research group is taking up Cayce's challenge.  Meridian Institute, a nonprofit organization in Virginia Beach, Va., has begun preliminary research into the Cayce readings on epilepsy.  Douglas Richards, Meridian's director of research, and David McMillin, an independent researcher and chairman of the group, have been reviewing the Cayce readings on epilepsy, experimenting with castor oil packs, and using the Cayce electrical appliances.  It's the first step in Meridian's agenda to scientifically document, research, and apply the Cayce medical readings.

Thanks to advances in technology, Richards and McMillin have been able to explore a peculiar aspect to the epilepsy readings.  In most of those readings, Cayce mentions the presence of a "cold spot" on the abdomen of epilepsy patients, indicating an incoordination in the nerve plexuses in the abdominal region.

"Through the use of a thermographic camera," says Richards, "we've been able to photograph this so-called 'cold spot.' The Polaroid camera with special film photographs differences in body temperatures in different colors, and we've been able to isolate this cold spot.  With such techniques to monitor abdominal temperature, we will be able to follow the course of the Cayce treatments, and confirm their efficacy, as well as confirming the overall Cayce view of epilepsy."

Meridian, organized in 1994 to do clinical research, has received two grants - one from the A.R.E. and one from the Morrison Trust, a Texas Foundation.  It is using the funds for research on psoriasis, the wet cell and radio-active appliances, schizophrenia, depression, and anemia.

Meridian's mission is to "...expand the meeting group between science and spirit by conducting and sponsoring clinical and basic science research.  We intend to examine concepts about the body compatible with the premise that we are spiritual beings, and to approach the healing process from that perspective."

The institute is headed by Eric Mein, a Virginia Beach physician in private practice.  In 1989, Dr. Mein was scholar-in-residence at Atlantic University, and wrote Keys to Health: The Challenge and Promise of Holism, based on Cayce's medical readings.

Richards, on the faculty of Atlantic University, and A.U.'s former director of research, has published articles in several academic journals.
McMillin has written books on the Cayce medical readings, including The Treatment of Schizophrenia - A Holistic Approach; and The Treatment of Depression - A Holistic Approach.  He has been the driving force behind Meridian's initial research into the wet cell and radio-active appliances, which were recommended in the readings for numerous ailments.  McMillin and Richards collaborated on the recently published Radial Appliance and Wet Cell Battery, the first in-depth publication on the electrical devices.

Cayce said that the radioactive appliance balances the circulation of the body.  To research this concept, Meridian is doing a double-blind study with 30 participants to measure the temperature-balancing effects of the appliance.  Participants use the appliance for 28 days.  Periodically, temperature probes are applied to the hands and feet to determine the extent that their circulation has been balanced.

Another related area of research interest is nervous system disorders.

"A lot of Cayce's health readings detail 'nervous system incoordination,"' said Richards, "and that covers a wide variety of illnesses - everything from multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, to mental illnesses like schizophrenia and depression.  There are well-accepted physiological methods of measuring such incoordination, but modern medicine hasn't yet devised effective treatments.  The goal of this project is to demonstrate the effectiveness of Cayce's prescriptions for treating incoordination."

Meridian plans to explore the work of other medical professionals who have demonstrated the effectiveness of Cayce's health readings.  Chiropractor John Pagano, of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, claims nearly a 100 percent cure rate in treating psoriasis patients based on the Cayce readings.

"Following upon Dr. Pagano's work," Richards said, we're exploring the Cayce thesis that toxins leaking through the small intestine are the cause of psoriasis.  We will be able to monitor the improvement of intestinal permeability during treatment.  This will lead to a greater acceptance of the Cayce treatments focusing on assimilation and elimination."

Also in the core group of Meridian is Carl Nelson, a Virginia Beach chiropractor who is the organization's clinical researcher.  Dr. Nelson has worked with Cayce's health readings for many years in his practice.  He is knowledgeable in the mental and spiritual readings as well, as is John Van Auken, Meridian's vice president.

One of the unique aspects of the Meridian Institute is that all the members are incorporating the principles of the physical, mental, and spiritual readings in their studies.  While the medical research will have to be painstakingly documented, the consideration of the mental and spiritual aspects of the case studies are important as well.  The group is dedicated to testing whether Cayce's readings are as applicable to people today as they were to the individuals who received them.  The group plans to publish their findings in professional journals.

Meridian is not involved in the treatment of specific illnesses; its focus is strictly research, and its findings may eventually lead to new therapies for treatment.

"We've really just begun the initial stages of research," Richards said.  "These health readings have never been fully researched in a modern, scientific manner that would provide data acceptable to all healthcare professionals and agencies.

"It is our intention to conduct that kind of research."