Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-06
From the Ne,U York Tribune,l

FOR some time there has been an increasing
number of stories published in the newspapers
of New York City, telling of marvellous cures of
various diseases that have been made by differ
ent medicines and treatments. So remarkable
are many OF these stories in their nature that
much doubt has been aroused in the minds OF
the masses as to their authenticity. Ifthey are
true in detail, surely the occupation of the
physician is gone and there is no reason why
anyone should die of anything but old age. If
they are not true, il would be interesting to
know how such testimonials and statements
are obtained The first question that arises is:
Are there any such persons? II so, were they
really cured as stated or are they literally paid
for the use of their names? The latter expla-
nation is the one that no doubt suggests itself
to the average thinking newspaper reader, and
not without good reason.
II has long been the intention of the Tribune
to investigate one of the most interesting cases
that could be found and give the truth to the
world as a matter of news. An especially good
opportunity for investigation offered itself in
the shape of the following letter, which ZANE
into the hands of a reporter from q most re-
liable source:
February 22d, 1893
Gentlemen ~ feel it my duty to inform you
what DIR. Williams Pink Pills for Pale People
locomotor ataxia for fifteen years, and have
been unable to walk without assistance for
nearly five years. / was turned away from the
Manhattan Hospital, Forty-irst street and
Park avenue, by DIR. Seguin incurabl> and
told was in the last stages of the disease. /
have been using the pills with water treatment
since September last, and been improving
since about November LIST. l can now go up
and down stairs with the assistance of my wife,
which is something have not been able TO do
for the past three years. My pains have de-
creased so / may now say they are bearable,
and 1 expect by Fall to be able to attend to
business Yours,
GEO. EHoMMEDIEU,
Sec'y Marchal & smith Piano Co.
Residence, 81 W. l3ith ST., New York City.
When the reporter called on Mr.. George
LHommedieu. at. the residence of his cousin,
Mr.. Edward Houghtaling, 27l w. 18th ST., he
found him resting on his bed, he had just
finished some writing for the Marchal Smith
Piano Company, with whom he has been con-
nected as Secretary for ten years. He met the
reporter with hearty greeting and a grip of
the hand that certainly did not show any signs
of weakness or loss of power. TO look at him
no one would suppose that he had been afflicted
for fifteen years with one of the most terrible
diseases known to medical science and pro-
nounceC incurable by some of the best known
physicians of New York City. He expressed
his perfect willingness t. give a statement Of
his case for publication.
ain fact" said Mr.. L'Hommedieu, al feel it
my duty to give my experience to the world for
the benefit of my fellow men and all those who
may be suffering with the same affliction !;
many of whom no doubt have long ago aban-
doned all hope of ever being relieved.
am 81 years of age and was born in Hudson,
n. y. Il served my time In the army. being
corporal Of Company a, 2lst n. j. Volunteers,
and believe the exposure of army life was the
seed from which has sprung all my sufferings
1t has been about fifteen years since noticed
the first symptoms of my disease. The trouble
began with pains in the stomach for which
could find no relief / consulted Dr. Allen of
Yorkvile, and also DR.. Pratt, since deceased, and
with remarkable unanimity they pronounced
1t smokers dyspepsia. This seemed probable.
for at that time, was a great smoker. The
pains however, gradually became more severe
and began to extend TO my limbs. The attacks
came on at intervals of about a month, and
while the paroxysms lasted was in almost in
credible misery.
DIR. Pratt exhausted his powers in my behalf
and finally told me that he could do nothing
more for me-
1 did not leave a single stone unturned in my
search for relief but grasped at every straw.
Finally was advised by Or. Gill TO go to the
well-known specialist, DIR. Hamilton. He gave
me most thorough examination, having me
stripped for n full half hour, and told me he
could find no trace of any disease excepting one
nerve of the eye. A year later my friend told
me that DIR. Hamilton privately said that had
a very grave disease of the brain.
My condition continued to grow more critical
and was barely able to walk when / went TO
the Manhattan Hospital, at 4lst and Park Ave.
1 continued treatment there for q or months,
under DIR. Seessel, who treated me chiefly, with
injections"
Here Mr.. LHommedieu pulled up his trouser
leg and showed the reporter the scars of in
Vulnerable punctures; continuing. he said:
81 must confess felt relief for the time being
and gained some hope; urgent business mat
tiers, however, compelled me to give up the hos
pital treatment and it was but short time
until was as bad as ever. From this on grew
rapidly worse. The pains were more intense,
my legs were numb, and felt i growing
weaker every day. returned to the hospital,
and this time was under treatment by Dr.
Seguin. He treated me for about three months.
and then, for the first time, was told that had
locomotor ataxia and was beyond the aid of
medical science DIR. Seguin also told my wife
that there was no hope for me in the world and
to expect my death at any time. 1 was now a
complete physical wreck; all power, feeling
and color had left my legs. and it was impossi-
BILE for me to feel the most severe pinch or even
the thrust of a needle.
If my skin was scratched there would be no
flow of blood whatever. and it would take it
fully six weeks to heal up In the night would
| have to feel around to find my legs. My pains
| were eXcruciating and at times almost unbear-
| able. / would take large doses of morphine TO
| deaden the pains and bc nearly dead the next
| day from its effects. About five years ago,
learned that DR.. Cicot, of Paris, claimed to have
discovered a relief for locomotor ataxia in sus.
| pending the body by the neck; the object being
| to stretch the spine. l wrote to DIR. Lewis A.
| Sayre of 2S5 9Th Ave-, about the matter, and al
| his request called to see him.
| He was SO interested in my case that he made
| a machine, rather a harness for me. free OF
charge. 1t was fitted with pads and straps to
| fit under the chin and at the back of the neck
| and in this position, would be suspended from
| the floor twice day. Although l received nc
| benefit from this treatment shall always fee
grateful to DIR. Sayre for his great interest ant
| kindness.
| So severe had my case become by this time
| that could not walk without assistance, and
/