News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-01-08
"GOING DOWN HILL.o
How n Venerable IOwan Evaded the Great
est Difficulty Which Besets the Ages.
[Burlington, Ia. Hawkeye.l

An account is going the rounds of the press
of a woman who was so afflicted with rheuma-
tism for fifteen years that her entire muscular
system became rigid, and for all that period
she was kept alive by cruel forced between her
teeth.
A prominent New York physician was once
asked what rheumatism was. He replied, ''God
only knows" He was undoubtedly right, be-
cause rheumatism seems to spring from diff
ferent cause in every individual case. If its
origin is a mystery, its effects are too well and
too widely known, for there is scarcely any
season of the year when some persons are not
more or less affected by it. In general, how
ever, it prevails mostly among the aged, maxi
ing their last days hard to bear. A prominent
physician once remarked in our hearing, eff
the aged could escape the tortures of rheuma-
tism, their last years as a rule would be quiet,
peaceful and painless"
Apropos of the above, Mr.. ". DeGens, of
Pella, Ia, sends us communication which or
dinarily we would not publish except at SO
much a line. But his experience has been so re-
markable that we think we are justified in CIV
ing place to it. He says:
Dear Slr:-I am 70 years of age. My life
has been active. l am well-known in this
town, and what L say do not think will be
doubted by any one who knows me. Up to
year or two ago, Twas the possessor of splendid
health, and hoped 1 should wear out my life
gradually and gracefully. Two years ago,
however, was overcome with that curse of old
age, rheumatism. When it first Frustrated
me the pain was so acute thought it was neu-
ralgia, which medical authorities tell me indi-
Gates a low state of the system.
Il fancied that this attack was the beginning
of the end. Isent for good doctor, who treated
me with electrical and other agencies, but l
grew worse. He finally said my case was a Sc
rious rheumatic one. For six months could
not use my limbs at all, and was handled by
three strong persons, like helpless child.
Then came a period of better feelings, but re-
action followed, and for six long months of
pitiful suffering l was confined to the bed. For
over year groaned in agony. 1 tried all
reputable lotions, liniments, plasters and
preparations, in vain. At this stage, my friend
Elder Overcamp came to see me, and upon his
urgent recommendation [ began to use war
ners safe rheumatic cure, a few bottles of
which gave back to me the use of my limbs. I
am now sleeping without pain, eating without
distress, and feel as spry as did when / was
go years of age. l cordially recommend that
preparation to all persons afflicted as l was,
and especially to the thousands of aged men
and women whose last days are embittered by
this affection"
Mr.. DeGens's letter is endorsed by Elder
Overcamp, who says he is a member of his
church, and his case to him is surprising and
marvellous. Mr.. F. W. Brinkhoff also en-
dorscs The statement in similar terms.
There is no doubt that this is true recital
of the case, and Mr.. DeGens's experience
should be an encouragement to all others suf-
fering as he did, to use the means he so sue
successfully employed, for nothing better, if
indeed, as good, can be had in the market.