The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-10-13
A Professional Confession,
THE UNUSUAL EXPERIENCE OF A PROMINENT
MAN MADE PUBLIC.

THE UNUSUAL EXPERIENCE OF PROMINENT
MAN MADE PUBLIC.
The following article from the Democrat
and Chronicle, of Rochester, N Y, is of so
striking nature, and emanatcs from so
reliable source, that it is herewith re-pub-
lished entire. In addition to the valuable
matter it contains, it will he found exceed
ingly interesting.
TO the Editor of the Democrat and Chroni-
Gle:
SIR My motives for the publication of
are first, gratitude for the fact that have
been saved from u most horrible death,
and secondly, a desire to warn all who
read this statement against some of the
most deceptive 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 commune
cation.
On the first day of June 1881, lay at my
residence in this city surrounded by my
friends and waiting for my death. Heaven
only knows the agony 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 weighed over 200 pounds
and hardly knew, in my own experience,
what pain or sickness were. Very many
people who will read this statement realize
at times that they are unusually tired end
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 day and en-
tirely without appetite the next. This was
just the way felt when the relentless mala-
dy which had fastened itself upon me first
began Still thought it was nothing /;
that probably had taken cold which
would soon pass away. Shortly after this
| noticed dull, and at times neuralgia,
pain i n 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 physician, that
these things meant anything serious or
that.a monstrous disease was becoming fixed
upon me. Candidly, l thought was suffer-
ing from Malaria and so doctored myself ac-
cordingly. But | got no better. next
noticed peculiar color and odor about
the fluids | was passing-also that there
were large quantities one day and very
little the next, and that persistent froth
and scum appeared upon the surface, and
n sediment settled in the bottom. And
yet did not realize my danger, for, indeed
seeing these symptoms continually, | finally
became accustomed to them, and my sus-
picion was wholly dsarmed 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 terrible future for all physical
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 my sell
to overcome it. And Oh how hard
tried ! consulted the best medical skill in
the land visited all the prominent min
eral springs in America and travelled from
Mninn 10 I
No two physicians agreed as to my malady
One said was troubled with spinal irrta-
tion another, nervous, prostration i. anoth
er malaria another, dyspepsia another,
heart disease another, general debility
another, congestion of the base of tn,
brain and so on through long list o
common diseases, the symptoms Of all o
which | really had. In this way severa
years past during all of which time | wa
steadily growing worse. MyIco ndition ha,
really become pitiable. The light symr
toms ! at first experienced were develope
into terrible and constant disorders tn
little twigs of pain had grown to oaks G
| agony. My weight had been reduced from
| 207 to 1870 pounds. My life was IA torture l.
myself and friends. | could retain no foo,
upon my stomach, and lived wholly b.
injections. Twas living mass of pain
| My pulse was uncomfortable. In my agon
i frequently fell upon the floor, convulsive
| ly clutched the carpet, and prayed fol
death. Morphine had little or no effect i
deadening the pain. For six days an,
nights | had the death-premonitory hic
coughs constantly. My urine was file,
with tube casts and albumen. was strug
Cling with Bright's Disease of the Kidney.
in its last stages.
While suffering thus received cal
from my pastor the Rev, DIR, Foote, rectC
of st. Paups Church, of this city. fe
that 1t was our last interview, but in tn
course OF conversation he mentioned
remedy OF which had heard much bl
had never used DIR, Foote detailed TO IN
the many remarkable cures which ha
come under his observation, by means O
this remedy, and urged me to t ry it. As
practicing physician and gradu ate of III
schools. ! cherished the prejudice bot
natural and common with all regular prac
titioners and derlded the idea ofany med
cine outside the regular channels being th
least beneficial SO solicitous, however
was Dr. Foote, that | finally promised