Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1882-11-18
A PROFESSIONAL CONFESSION.



The following article from the Democrat
and Chronicle, of Rochester, N. Y, is of SO
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. s~as
To the Editor of the Democrat and Chronicle:
SIN: Ny motives for the publication of the
most unusual statements which follow are
first, gratitude for the fact that have been
saved from a most horrible death, and, sec
ondly, desire to warn all who read this
statement against some of the most decep-
tive influences by which they have ever been
surrounded. 1t is a fact that to-day thou
sands 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. INA
On the first day of June 1881, 1 lay at my
residence in this city surrounded by my
friends and waiting for my death. Heaven
only knows the agony l then endured, 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 terri
BILE a disease, should have scoffed at the
idea. Ihad always been uncommonly strong
and healthy, had weighed.over 200 pounds and
AuA0AJ hAOW1 III my Ohi OApCIlCuCC, WfldJ
pain or 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 dull and in
definite pains in various parts of the body
and do not understand it. Or they are ex-
ceedingly hungry one day and entirely with
out appetite the next. This was Just the
way felt when the relentless malady which
had fastened itself upon me first began.
Still thought it was nothing; that probably
l had taken cold which would soon pass
away. Shortly after this 1 noticed dull,
and at times neuralgia, pain in my head,
but as it would come one day and be gone
the next, l 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 l had
no idea, even as a physician, that
these things meant anything serious or
that monstrous disease was becoming fixed
upon me. Candidly, l thought l was suffer-
ing from Malaria and so doctored myself
accordingly. But got no better. l next
noticed 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
appeared upon the surface, and sediment
settled in the bottom. And yet l did not re-
alize my danger, for, indeed, seeing these
symptoms continually, finally became ac-
wholly 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 terrible future for all physical
neglect, and impending danger always brings
a person to his senses even though it may
then be too late L realized, at last, my crit
ical condition and aroused myself to over
come it. And, Oh ! how hard / tried con-
suited the best medical skill in the land. I
visited all the prominent mineral springs in
America and travelled from Maine to Cali
fornia. Still l grew worse. No two physi-
clans agreed as to my malady. One said
was troubled with spinal irritation; another,
nervous prostration another, malaria; an
other dyspepsia another, heart disease; an
other, general debility another, congestion
Of the base of the brain and so on through y
long list of common diseases, the symptom.
Of all of which really had. In this way.
several years passed, during all of which
time was steadily growing worse. NV con-
dition had really become pitiable. The
slight symptoms l at first experienced were
developed into terrible and constant dis
orders-the little twigs of pain had grown to
oaks of agony. My weight had been re-
duced from 207 to 100 pounds. My life was
a torture to myself and friends l could re-
tam no food upon. my stomach, and lived
wholly by injections. l was a living
mass of pain. My pulse was uncontrollable.
In my agony Frequently fell upon the floor,
convulsively clutched the carpet, and pravad
for death. Morphine had little or no effect
in deadening the pain. For six days and
nights l had the ath-premonitory hic-
coughs constantly. 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, Rev. DIR. Foote, rector
of st. Pau's 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
had never used. DIR. 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 prac-
1clng physician and a graduate of the
schools, l cherished the prejudice both nat
ural and common with all regular practition-
ers, and derided the idea of any medicine out
side the regular channels being the least
beneficial. So solicitous, however, was DIR.
Foote, that finally promised that would
waive my prejudice and try the remedy he so
highly recommended. began its use on the
first day of June and took il according to
directions. At first it sickened me; but this
thought was a good sign for me in my de-
bllltated condition. | continued to take if,
the sickening sensation departed and was
able TO retain food upon my stomach. LII
few days | noticed a decided change for the
better, as also did my wife and friends, My
hiccoughs ceased and l experienced less pain
than formerly. was so rejoiced at this i'm
proved condition that, upon what i mad be-
lieved but few days before was my dying
bed, ] vowed, in the presence of my family
and friends should recover IWonid both pub
hcly and privately make known this remedy
for the good of humanity, wherever and
whenever had an opportunity. l also de-
termined that would give course of lee
lures IN the Corinthian Academy of Music
Of this city, stating in fq1l the symptoms and