The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-10-26
A PROFESSIONAL CONFESSION.
The Unusual Experience OF n Prom
inent Man Made Public.

striking nature, and emanates from SO re-
liable source, that it is herewith re-pub-
lished entire. In addition to the valuable
matter it contains, it will be found exceed
ingly interesting:
To the Editor of the Democrat and Chronicle:
SIR:-My motive for the publication of
the most unusual statements which follow
are, first, gratitude for the fact that have
been saved from most horrible death, and
secondly, desire to warn all who read this
statement against some of the most decept-
i've influences by which they have ever been
surrounded. 1t is a fact that to-day thous-
ands of people are within foot of the grave
and they do not know it. To tell how
was caught away from this position and to
warn Others against nearing it, are my OBJ
jects in this communication.
On the first day of June, 1881, l lay at
my residence in this city surrounded by my
friends and waiting for my death. Heaven
only knows the agony | then endured, for
words can never describe it. And yes, if a
few years previous, any one had told me that
| was to be brought so low, and by so terri
BILE disease, | should have scoffed at the
idea. had always been uncommonly strong
and healthy, and had weighed over 200
pounds and hardly knew, in my own ex-
perience, what pain and sickness were. Very
many people who will read this statement
realize at times that they are unusually tired
and cannot account for it. They feel dall
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 | felt when the relentless malady
which had fastened itself upon me first be-
gan. Still thought it was nothing; that
probably had taken cold which would
soon pass away. Shortly after this l no.
tced dull, and at times a neuralgic, pain
in my head, but as it would come one day
and be gone the next, l paid but little at
tention to it. However, my stomach was
out of order and often my food failed to di-
gest, causing at times great Inconvenience.
Yet had no idea, >sven as a physician, that
these things meant anything serious or that
a monstrens disease was becoming fixed upon
me. Candidly, | thought / was suffering
from Malaria, and so doctored myself ac-
cordingly. But got no better. noticed
a peculiar color and odor about the fluids l
was passing-also that there were large
quantities one day and very little the next,
and that persistent froth and scum ap-
peared upon the surface, and q sediment III
the bottom. And yet did not realize my
danger, for, indeed, seeing these symptoms
continually. finally became accustomed to
them, and my suspicion was wholly dsarmed
by the fact that l had no pain in the affected
organs or in their vicinity. Why should
have been so blind cannot understand
There is terrible future for all physical
neglect, and impending danger always brings
a person to his senses even though it may
then be too late. realized at last, my
critical condition and aroused myself to
overcome it. Aud, Oh! how hard | tried
/ consulted the best 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 as to my malady. One
said was troubled with spinal irritation
another. nervous prostration; another, ma
laria; another, dyspepsia; another, heart dis
ease; another, general debility; another, con-
gestion of ths base Of the brain; and SO on
through long list of common diseases, the
symptoms of all of which / really had. In
this way several years passed. during all Of
Ny condition had really become pitiable.
leRhe 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 207 to l30 pounds. My
life was torture TO myself and friends.
could retain no food upon my stomach, and
lived wholly by injections. was living
mass Of pain. My pulse was uncomfortable.
In my agony frequently fell upon the floor.
convulsively clutched the carpet and prayed
for death. Morphine had little or no effect
in deadening the pain. For xix days and
nights had the death. premonitory hic-
coughs constantly. My urine was filed with
tube casts aud albumen. was struggling
with Bright's Disease of the Kidneys in its
last stages.
While suffering thus received call from
my pastor, the Rev. DR.. Foote, rector of
St. Paul's Church, Of this city. felt that
it was our last interview, but in the course
Of conversation he mentioned q remedy Of
which had heard much hut had never used.
DR.. Foote detailed to me the many remark
able cures which had come under his OBJ
servation. by means Of this remedy. and
urged me try it. As q practicing physician
and . graduate Of the schools, cherished
the prejudice both natural and common
with all regular practitioner. and derided
the idea Of any medicine outside the regular
channels being the least beneficial. So 90
licitous, however, was DR.. Foote, that f.
nally promised would waive my prejudice
and try the remedy he 70 highly rscsm-
mendsd. l began it uss On ths lst day Of
June and took Il according 70 directions. At
first il sickened me; bat this thought a
=