Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-10-19
A PROFESSIONAL CONFESSION.
The Unusual Experience OF . Premi-
nent Man Made Public.

The Unusual Experience OF . Premi-
nent Man Made Public.
The following article from the Democra
and Chronicle, of Rochester, n. Y, is Of 20
striking a nature, and emauates from so
reliable a source, that it is herewith re-
published entire. In addition to the val
liable matter it contains, it will be found
exceedingly interesting
To the editor Of the. Democrat and Chron-
icle.
SIR My mot,les for the publication
of the most unusual statements which fol-
low are, lat gratitude for the fact that l
have been saved from a most horrible
death, and, secondly, a desire to warn all
who read this statement against some of
the mes deceptive influences by which
they have ever been surrounded. 1t is a
fact that to-day thousands of people are
within foot of the grave and they do not
know it. To tell how | was caught from
just this position and to warn others from
nearing it lie my object in this communi-
cation.
On the lat day of June, 1881, l Law at
my residence in TINS ely surrounded by
my friends and waiting for my death.
Heaven only knows the agony then en-
dured, for words can never describe it.
And yet, if few years previous, any one
had told me that | was to be brought so
low, and by SO terrible disease, should
have scotfed at the idea. l had always
been uncommonly strong and healthy, and
weighed over 200 pounds and hardly knew,
in my own experience, what pain or sick
ness were. Very many people who will
read this statement realize at times that
they are unusually tired and can
not 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 day and
entirely without appetite the next. This
was Just the way l felt when the relent.
less malady which had fastened itself up
on me first began. Still l thought it was
nothing; that probably l had taken cold
which would soon pass away. Shortly
after this / noticed dull, and at times a
neuralgia, pain in my head, but as it
would come one day and be gone the next
l paid little attention TO it. However,
my stomach was ort of order ard my food
often failed to digest. causing at times
great inconvenience. Yet / had no idea,
even as a phys clan, that these things
meant anything serious or that mon
strous disease was becoming fixed upon
me. Candidly thought / was suffering
from malaria and 80 doctored myself ac-
cordingly. But got no better. l noticed
peculiar odor about the fluids l was pass
sinR--also that there were large quantities
one day and very little the next, and that
persistent froth and scum appeared up
the surface, and a sediment settled in the
bottom. And yet l did not realize nv
danger, indeed, seeing these symptoms
continually, l finally became accustomed
to them, and my suspicion was wholly dis
armed by the fact that l had no pain in
the affected organs or in their vicinity.
Why should have been 80 blind can
not understand.
There is terrible future for all physi-
cal neglect, and impending danger always
brings person to his senses even though
it may then be too late. | realized at last
my critical condition and aroused myself
to overcome it. And, Oh how hard /
tried | consulted the btsl medical skill
in the land. | visited all the prominent
mineral springs in America and travelled
from Maine to California. Still / grew
worse. No two physicians agreed az TO
my malady. One said l was troubled with
spinal irritation; another, ner-
vous prostration; another, malaria :;
another, dyspepsia; another, heart dis-
ease; another, general debility; another.
congestion of the base of the brain; and
so on through long list of common dis
eases. the symptoms Of all of which /
really had. In this way several years
passed, during all Of which time | was
steadily growing worse. NY condition
had really become pitiabie. The slight
symptoms | at first experienced were de.
veloped into terrible and constant disor-
ders-the little twig of pain had grown
to oaks of agony. Nv weight had heen
reduced fro m POI to $50 pounds. My life
was a torture to myself and friends. l
could retain no food upon my stomach,
and lived wholly by injections. | was
living mass of nain. Ny pulse was I'M
conrollable. In my agony | frequently
fell upon the floor convulsively clutched
the carpet, and prayed for death. Nor
phine had little or no OBJECT in deadening
the pain. For six days and nights | had
the death premonitory hiccoughs con-
stantly. NY urine was filled with tube
casts and albumen. l was struggling
with Bright's Disease of the kidneys in
its last stages.
While suffering thus / recei we'd call
from my pastor. the Rev. DR.. Feote, rec
tor of st. Paurs church of this city. /
felt that it was our last interview, but in
the course of conversation he mentioned
remedy of which | had heard much
but 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
graduate of the schools. / cherished the
prejudice both natural and common with
ali regular practitioners, and derided the
idea OF any medicine outside the regular
channels being the least beneficial. So
solicitous, however, was DR.. Foote, that 1
finally promised l would waive my rreju-
dice and try the remedy 80 highly recon-
mended. began its use on the lat of
June and took it according to
directions. At FIRST it sickened
ne: lot this l thought was
good sign for me in my debilitated
condition. / continued to take it; the
sickening sensation departed and l was
again able to retain food upon my stomach.
In few days / noted decided change
for the better as also did my wife and
friends. NV hiccoughs ceased and ex-
perenced less pain than formerly. Twas