The semi-weekly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1879-1882, 1882-01-12

a hEMAhhADLE SlAIEMENI.
THE UNUSUAL EXPERIENCE OF
A PROMINENT MAN MADE
PUBLIC.
The following article from the
Democrat and Chronicle, of Roches-
ter N. Y, is Of SO striking . nature,
and emanates from so reliable source
that it IS herewith rs-published en-
tire. In addition to the valuable mat
ter it contains, it will be found ex-
ceedingly interesting.
TO the Editor Of the Democrat and
Chronicle
Sir My motives fof the publica-
ton Of the most unusual statements
which follow are, first, gratitude for
the fact that / have been saved from
almost horrible death, and secondly,
desire to warn all who read this
statement against some of the most
deceptive Influences by which they
have ever been surrounded. 1t is
fact that to-day thousands of people
are within a foot of the grave and
they do not know it. To tell how /
was caught away from just this posi-
ton and to warn others against near
ing it, are my objects in this commu-
nication.
On the first day Of June 1881, /
lay at my residence in this city sur
rounded by my friends and waiting
for death. Heaven only knows the
agony I then endured, for words can
never describe it. And yet, if a few
years previous, any one had told me
that / was to be brought SO low, and
BY SO terrible disease, should have
scoffed at the idea. / had always
been uncommonly strong and healthy,
had weiged over 200 pounds and
hardly knew, in my own experience,
what pain or sickness were. Very
many people who will read this state
ment realize at times that they are
unusually tired and cannot account
for it. They feel dull and indefinite
pains in various parts OF the body and
do not understand it. Or they are
exceedingly hungry one da7 and en-
tirely without appetite the next. This
was just the way I felt when the re-
lentless malady which had fastened
itself upon mo FIRST began. Still /
thought it was nothing; that probably
| Lad taken cold which would soon
pass away. Shortly after this I no.
ticed dull, and at times neuralgia,
pain in in my head, but as it would
come one day and be gone the next
/ paid but little attention to it.
However, my stomach was out Of
order and my food often failed to di
gest, causing at times great inconve-
nience. Yet / had no idea, even as q
physician, that these things meant
anything serious or that monstrous
disease was becoming fixed on me.
Candidly, ! thought was suffering
from Malaria and SO doctored myself
accordingly. But / got no better. I
next noticed peculiar color and cdor
about the fluids was passing--also
that there was large quantities one day
and very little the next, and that q
persistence froth and scum appeared
upon the surface, and sediment set
tied in the bottom. And yet did
not realize my danger, for, indeed,
seeing these symptoms continually, l
finally became acquainted to them,
and my suspicion was wholly med
by the fact that I had no pain a the
organs or in their vicinity. Why I
should have been so blind ! cannot
understand.
There Is terrible future for all
physical neglect, and impending
danger usually brings person to his
senses even though it may then be too
late. / realized, ct last, my critical
condition aud aroused myself to over
come II. Aud, oh! how hard I triedl
| consulted the best medical skill 10
the land. I visited oil the prominent
mineral springs in America and trav-
eled from Maine to Californis. Still
grew worse. No two physicians
agreed as to my malady. One said l
was troubled with spinal irritation /;
another, nervous prostration; another,
malaria; another, dyspepsia; aaother,
heart disease; another, general debil-
ity; another congestion Of the base of
the brain; and so on through long
list of common diseases, the symp-
toms Of all Of which / really had. In
this way several years past, during ell
Of which time / was steadily growing
worse. My condition had really be.
come pitiable. The slight symptoms
| first experienced were developed
into terrible and constant disorders
the little twigs of pain had grown to
oaks of agony. My weight had been
reduced from 207 to 100 pounds.
Ny life was q torture to myself and
friends. I could retain no food upon
my stomach; and lived wholly by ip-
jections. I was living mass of pain.
My pulse was uncomfortable. Ia my
agony I frequently fell upon the floor,
convulsively clutched the carpet, and
prayed for death. Morphine had lit
tie or no effect in deadening the pain.
For six days and nights / had the
death-premonitory hiccoughs constant
ly. My urine was filed with tube
casts and albumen. I was struggling
with Bright's Disease of the Kidneys
in its last stages.
While suffering thus l received a
call from my pastor, the Rev. DR..
Foote, rector Of ST. Paups Church, of