Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-08-25
Brown-seadars and Gunner.

The name of DIR. Brown. SequarG hes
been brought into prominence ecently in
connection with a discovery which be
claims to have made of an "elixir of life"
which, injected into the veins, renews
failing strength and rejuvenates the pa
tient. Those who do not know him may
think him charlatan or quack, or q
physician seeking notoriety. But whatever
may be true of the discovery he thinks
he has made he is one of the most emil
nent of European physicians. He had
won such fame more than thirty years
ago that he was called to the most criti-
cal cases. When Senator Sumner was
stricken down in the United States Senate
in 1856 by "Bully Brooks" of South
Carolina, and it seemed likely that he
would never again perform any labor, he
resorted to DR.. Brown-Sequard, then in
Paris, for help.
No man ever passed through severer
treatment than that which was admins.
tered to Mr.. Sumner. The case WAS as
memorable in its day as those of Presi-
dent Garfield and General Grant have
been to this generation. The "moxa"
became a familiar word. Heated to a
white heat, and applied in that condi
ton to the flesh, it produced tort
t1re such as few have the nerve
to administer, or the fortitude
to bear. The Doctor himself said to an
American audience some years ago that
upon any other human being which pro-
duced such agony, and though strong
man, and accustomed to scenes of suffer
ing, he was overcome with emotion in
telling the story, as the memory of what
he witnessed returned to him, and he
almost broke down to tears.
He stated an interesting fact about the
case, which illustrates the character of
Senator Sumner. After the examination
OF the Senator he told him that this
operation would be likely to restore him
to health, and that he knew OF nothing
else which would accomplish that result.
He also told him of the fearful suffering
which it would cause, and suggested
that the first application be
made the next day, to which Mr..
Sumner replied: "But why not today ?"
On further consultation, Mr.. Sumner was
asked whether ether should be admin
istered or not. He replied by asking
whether the results would be likely to be
less beneficial if the operation should be
performed after he had been etherizsd,
and being told that it might not be as
effective as il he we're fully conscious of
the terrible suffering, he insisted upon
bearing it without taking ether, and he
did g..
One reason for submitting to this he
roic treatment in this way was knowl-
edge that it had been suggested that he
was "playing sick" He was stricken
down May %, 1856, and nearly two years
had elapsed before he submitted himself
to DR.. Brown-Sequard. Having been
unable to resume his duties as Senator, he
felt keenly the suggestion of insincerity,
which was utterly without foundation,
and was willing to undergo the most se-
we're treatment in order to regain his |
health and return to bis post. 1t was
not until December, 1859, almost four i
years after he was prostrated by the as
sassin's blows, that he was able to return |
to duty.
DIR. Brown-eeduard has been spoken of |
by some of the papers as man eighty |
years old. He is only seventy one, hav-
ing been born in Mauritius in 1918. His
discoveries, by virtue of his high repu-
tation, have been able to command the |
of the medical and scientific
world, but are quite generally laughed |
at, even by those of his own profession.
Il Boston Herald.
Fora disordered liver try Beecham's Pills. !