What was the medical context behind the family from Malegaon seeking Sai Baba's help for their son?

The medical situation was one of complete desperation, as detailed in Chapter 34. The patient, a young nephew of a degree-holding doctor, was afflicted with a bone-cyst (Hadyavarn). This was described as a 'most difficult and extraordinary malady.' His own uncle, a physician, along with other expert and intelligent surgeons, had tried numerous treatments. The text explicitly mentions that all native and foreign treatments were attempted, and even surgery was performed without success. The medical professionals became 'exhausted and felt helpless.' It was only after reaching this absolute limit of medical science, where the disease did not subside in the least, that the family heard about Sai Baba and decided to seek a spiritual solution as their final hope.