Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-10-09
A PROFESSIONAL CONFESSION.
The Unusual Experience of Prominent
Man Made Public

Man Made Public.
The following article from the Democrat
and Chronicle, of Rochester, N. Y, is of SO
striking a nature, and emanates from SO
reliable source, that it is herewith re-
published entire. In addition to the valu-
able matter it contains, it will be found
exceedingly interesting.
10 the Editor Of the Democrat and Chronicle:
SIR-My motives 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
deceptive influences by which they have
ever been surrounded. 1t is fact that to-
day thousands of people are within a foot
of the grave and they do not know it. To
tell how was caught away from Just this
position and to warn others against near
ing it, are my objects in this comnunica-
tion.
On the first day of June 1881, I lay at
my residence in this city 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 a few years previous, any one
had told me that was to be brought so
low, and by so terrible disease, should
have scoffed at the idea. I had always
been uncommonly strong and healthy, had
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 cannot &C
count for it. They feel dull and indefinite
pains in various parts of the body and do
not understand it. Or they are exceeding
~ hungry one day and entirely without APP
petite the next. This was just the way I felt
whom the relentless malady which had
fastened itself upon me first began. Still
thought it was nothing; that probably 1
had taken a cold which would soon pass
away. Shortly after this I noticed dull,
and at times neuralgia pain IN my head,
but as 1t would come one day and be gone
the next, paid but little attention to it.
However, my stomach was cut 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 mon
strous disease was becoming fixed upon
me. Candidly, thought I was suffering
from malaria and 80 doctored myself ac-
cordingly. But got NO better. I next
noticed a peculiar color and odor about
the fluids 1 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
a sediment settled in the bottom. And yet
did not realize my danger, for, indeed,
seeing these symptoms continually, final
ly became accustomed to them, and my
suspicion was wholly disarmed by the fact
that had no pain in the affected organs
or i'll their vicinity. Why I 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. I realized at last,
my critical condition and aroused myself
to overcome it. And, 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 1 was troubled with spinal irrita-
ton; another, nervous prostration; another,
malaria; another, dyspepsia; another, heart
disease; another, general debility; another,
congestion of the 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 which time was steadily growing
worse. My condition had really become
pitiable. The slight symptoms 1 at first
experienced were developed into terrible
and constant disor1ers-the little twigs of
pain had grown to oaks of agony. My
weight had been reduced from 2O7 to 100
pounds. Ny life was torture to myself
and friends. could retain no food upon
my stomach, and lived wholly by injsc-
tions. 1 wasla living mass of pain. Ny
pulse was uncomfortable. In my agony
frequently fell upDn the floor, convulsive-
~ clutched the carpet, and prayed for
death. Morphine had little or no effect in
deadening the pain. For six days and
nights I had the death-premonitory hic-
coughs constantly. My urine was filed
with tube casts and albunen. Twas strug-
CLING with Bright's Disease of the Kidneys
in its last stages.
While suffering thus I received call
from my pastor, the Rev. DR.. Foote, rector
of ST. Paurs church, of this city. I felt
that it was our last interview, but in the
course of conversation he mentioned a
remedy of which I had heard so 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 graduate of the
schools, cherished the prejudice both nat
ural and CO mmon with all regular practi-
TONERS, and derided the idea of any medi-
cine outside the regular channels being the
least beneficial. So solicitous, however,
was Dr.. Foote, that 1 finally promised
would waive my prejudice and try the
remedy he SO highly recommended. be-
gan its use on the LIST day of June and took
it according to directions. At first it sick
ened me; but this thought was a good
sign for me in my debilitated condition. I
continued to take it; the sickening sensation
departed and I was able to retain food
upon my stomach. In few days MOTTO
ed decided change for the better as also
did my wife and friends. My hiccoughs
ceased and I experienced less pain than
formerly. I was SO rejoiced at this i'm
proved condition that, upon what had
believed but few days before was my
dying bed, I vowed, in the presence of my
family and friends, should I recover I
would both publicly and privately make