Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-04-13
PREsRNTIMENrs.
An Investigation Ofshe Causes of
ozark FOrebOdings which
Make Powerful Men Weak.

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Much apprehension has been occa'
stoned throughout America from the
announcement made by Professor Proc
tor that the return in nineteen years
Of the grea. comet Oflast summer will
cause the destruction Of the earth.
But while people are becoming 50
strangely exercised over thisanuouuoe-
meut an event Of far more serious i'm
porrance, which is taking place to day,
seems to be almost wholly overlooked.
The nature Of this most vital subject
can be best explained by relating the
GLOWING experiences:
Bishop II D. Haven, known to the
entire land, was unaccountably awak-
ened one night out of sound sleep,
and lay awake until morning. His
mind seemed unusually active, and be
not only reviewed his past life.
which had been an eventful one, but
laid extensive plans for the future
He did not feel especially i'll, but
could not account for the unusual
activity Of his brain, nor for the rest
f. lessness which seem to possess him. In
the morning he had but little appe.
tite, but was apparently well in other
respects. In few days, however, he
began to feel restless and morbid, al
though he tried earnestly to overcome
the feeling which had taken possession
Of him. But try as he would, the
shadow Of some evil seemed TO follow
him, and he was conscious of a grad
ual sinking and wasting away Of all
lis phys cll faculties. He had been
an earnest aDd diligent worker, and
in his zeal frequently overtaxed his
strength, and being absorbed in his
duties, failed 10 observe the common
symptoms with which he was afflicted.
thus permitting the work of destruc-
tion to 20 on uuheeded. But the end
finally came in a most peremptory
manner Shortly before his death he
wrote a letter--the last one he ever
indited--iD which he speaks as fol
lows. "A belief that death is near
affects diserent minds differently, but
probably all who are in a fair condi-
ton OF physical and mental strength
instinctively shrink from it with an
indefnable dread and horror. A dying
maR is no more able Of himself to
foresee bis own destiny or the destiny
Of those be leaves than he was before
he began to die"
The recent sad and sudden de; tn f
Hon. Clarksoa N. Potter is one of tn
most serious warnings ever given in
the long list Of innumersble cases Of
fatal neglect. 1t is not sufficient to
say that many other brilliant men, in
Guiding Everett, Sumner, Chase,
Wood, Wilson and Carpenter, we're
swept away BY the same fatal trouble.
The question is, we're these men sufi-
ciently careful of their health, ahd
could they have been sayed2 The
Albany Argus, in speaking Of Mr..
Potter's sudden illness and death,
says;
Zone of the physicians who attended
Mr.. Potter here was interviewed last
evening. He stated that Mr.. Potter's
inability to converse had for some time
served to battle the physicians In their
efforts to determine the root Of his
illness. 1t seems, however, that Mr..
Potter, some two years ago, suffered a
slight attack Of kidney disease. I'm.
wise dependence upon q robust oonsti
tuition and naturally perfect health,
and neglect Of proper clothing, doubt
less sOWed the seeds of disease that
needed but some such personal neg
lect as that Of Tuesday morning to
develop From the symptoms at first
shown, it was thought that his only
trouble was nervous prostratiOD; but
his long continuance in q semi .unoon-
scious state led to the belief that his
illness was seated ia chronic diff
Guilty more mysterious and dangerous.
Up to the latter part OF last year
Mr.. Edward 4. Rock, member OF
the New York Stock Exchange, was
doing business in Wall street, New
York. He had everything to encour-
age him, and make life happy, but was
the victim of unaccountable uneasi-
ness. His experience as described by
one who knew, was as follows: AT
unexpected times, and on occasions
when he had the greatest reason To
feel joyous. he was irritable and
haunted with strange feelings Of dis
content. He endeavoICd TO check
these feelings and appear pleasant. but
it required great effort to do so;
after which he would again relapse
into his former morbid mood. This
feeling continued for a number oil
mouths, when he became conscious Of
an added sensation OF lassitude. He
was tired even when resting, and al
though experiencing no acute pain,
had dull, aching sensations in his
limbs and various parts of his body
Shortly afterward bis head began "a
ache most frequently and his stomach
failed to digest properly. Being told
that he was suffering from ma
laria, he consulted an emi
nent physician, who informed
him that his kidneys were slightly
effected, and gave him medicine t
restore them. But be grew worse in
stead Of better. He then consulted
other eminent doctors Of another
school and was informed that he haG
3 brain difficulty somewhat in the ma
ture of tumor, but 10 spite Of al
efforts TO the contrary he continued d
grow worse. At this time his condi
ton was terrible, What we're at frs
simple symptoms had developed /
terrible troubles. He was hushe
aud feverish, constantly uneasy, an
yet always weary. He had an intens
appetite one day snd very little tn
next. His pulse was irregular hi
breathing lsbored, and every momel
Of existence was burden. The
disastrous symptoms continued, b
face and BODY became discoloted h