Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-01-06
A REMARKABLE STATEMENT.
The Unusual Experience OF a
Prominent Man Made
Pnbllc.

ITO - aANAlA0 AAOAA tAQ NCAu-
ocrat and Chronicle Of Rochester, N.
Y, is of so strikinga nature, and ema-
mates from so reliable a source, that it
is herewith republished entire. In ad-
dition to the valuable matter it con-
tains, it will be found exceedingly in
teresting.
To the Editor of the Democrat and Chronicle:
SIR;-My motives for the publica-
ton of the most unusual statements
which follow are, first, gratitude for
the fact that l have, been saved from a
most horrible death, and secondly, o
desire to warn all who read this state
ment against some Of the most decep-
tive influences by which they have
ever been surrounded. 1t is a fact
that to day thousands of people are
within a foot of the grave and they do
not know it. To tell how l was caught
away from just this position and to
warn others against nearing it, are my
objects in this communication.
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 / 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 a disease, | should have
scoffed at the idea. | had always been
uncommonly strong and healthy, had
weiphed over 200 pounds and hardly
knew, in my own experience, what
pain or sickness were. Very many
who will read this statement
realize at times that they are unusual
ly 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 ex-
ceedingly hungry one day and entirely
without appetite the next. This was
just the way | felt when the relentless
ma4ady which had fastened itself up
me first began. Still | thought it
was nothing; that probably | had
taken a cold which would soon pass
away. Shortly after this | noticed a
dull, and at times neuralgia, pain 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 digest, causing at times
great inconvenience. Yet | had no
idea, even as a physician, that these
meant anything serious or that
a monstrous disease was becoming
fixed upon me. Candidly, | thought
was suffering from malaria and so
doctored myself accordingly. But |
got no better. next noticed a pecu-
liar color and odOr about the fluids |
was passing-alsO that there were
quantities one day and very little
the next. and that a persistent froth
and scum appeared upon the surface,
and a sediment settled in the bottom.
And yet | did not realize my danger,
for, indeed, seeing these symptoms
continually, l finally became accus.
toned to them, and my suspicion was
disarmed by the fact that |
had no pain in the affected organs or
in their vicinity. Why | should have
been SO blind | cannot understand.
There is a terrible future for all
physical neglect. and impending dan
ger usually brings a person to his
senses even though it may then be too
late. | realized, at last my critical con
dition and aroused myself to overcome
it. And, Oh how hard | tried |
consulted the best medical skillin the
land. | visited all the prominent
mineral springs in Ameri@ and
travelled from Maine to Californis.
Still | grew worse No two physicians
agreed as to my malady. One said [
was troubled with spinal irritation;
another nervous prostration; another
malaria; another dyspepsia; another
heart disease; another general debil-
ity; another congestion Of the base of
the brain; and SO on through a long
list of common diseases, the symptoms
Of all of which | really had. In this
way several years passed, during all Of
which time | was steadily growing
worse. My condition had really be-
come pitiable. The slight symptoms
| at 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 2O7 to 100 pounds. My
life was a torture to myself and friends.
| could retain no food upon my
stomach, and lived wholly by injec-
tons. | was a living mass of pain.
My pulse was uncomfortable. In my
agony | frequently fell upon the floor,
eonvulsively clutched the carpet. and
prayed for death. Morphine had lit
tie or no effect in deadening the pain
For six days and nights l had the
death-premonitory hiccoughs con
stantly. Myurine was filed with tube
casts and albumen. l was Struggling
with Bright's disease of the kidneys
in its last stages.
While suffering thus | received a
calI my pastor, the Rev. Dr.
Foote, rector Of st. Paul's church.
of this city. l felt that it was our last
interview, but in the course Of con,
versation he mentioned a remedy OIL
which l had heard much but had
never used. DR.. Foote detailed to me
the many remarkable cures which had
come under his observation, by means
Of this remedy, and urged me to try it
As a practicing physician and a grad.
uate Of the schools, l cherished thu
prejudice both natural and common
with all regular practitioners, and de
rided the idea of any medicine outsid,
the regular channels being the leas
beneficial, So s~olicitous, however, wa
DR.. Foote, hat l finally promised
t would waive my prejudice and try tn,
t remedy he SO highly recommended.
began its use on the first day of Jun,
, and took it according to directions
: AT first it Siekened me; but this
| thought was a good sign for one in m,
Hakilffatad oopdifion ~ :.