The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-15

There Is no name in this section of the
country, connected with the medical world,
that is better known to the public than that
of Mr.. Monroe Peterson. He is situated in
a nice, comfortable home, with good farm,
about four miles west of johnson City, ILL.,,
He is now fifty-eight years old, in healthy
condition, and weighs one hundred and ninety
pounds. Not more upright and honorable
citizen does our nation afford, and he Is
looked upon with wonder, because OF his
healthy condition after so long period of
misery and suffering.
.The cause of Mr.. Peterson's long suffering
was hurt which he received in fall, while
running drill in 1861, being soldier at
the time. He has been crippled in his right
leg ever since that date. Sciatic rheumatism
then set in, and his leg began to slowly
.wither away and draw up in the joint, and
now it is about two inches shorter than the
other. 1t began to grow worse and, finally,
his whole body began to shake like person
with the st. Vitus' dance. His first severe
attack was about six years ago.
sThere is no disease in the power of human
endurance more awful in its pains and
Affections than sciatic rheumatism. Some
times its pain may be a slow, steady one,
while, at other times, it comes with jerks
and wrenches that seem to twist the body
out of all shape of recognition. 1t seems to
contract the muscles, drawing the body al
most in knot. While this is probably the
worst stage of sciatic rheumatism, it is some
times found IN milder forms. So it was
with Mr.. Peterson, but with it was associ-
e. o1,
comfortable and unbearable. The body was
in continual shake, rendering it impossible
for him to do anything. He had lost all
control of his muscles. On application to a
physician for relief, he was told that the
affection might last him all his life, or, on
the other hand, it might leave him entirely
at an unexpected moment.
Q For over three years he was not able to
write word, so severe was his shaking. He
could not even sign his vouchers, thereby
having to make his mark and witness it. At
this time he could not walk step without
assistance. So severe was the shaking of
his head that it almost caused him to go
blind. He could not distinguish person a
rods distance in front of him. He came
very nearly losing his mind, and his friends
thought, as a last resort, that he would have
to be taken to a hospital. When he was
taken to town for examination by a physi-
clan, he had to be examined IN the buggy,
so difficult was it for him to get out. Often
times it would seem that life was nearly ex-
tinct, and his feet and hands would have to
be bathed in warm water and rubbed in
order to restore the circulation. For two
years he was not able to feed himself at the
table. His ever faithful and dutiful wife put
the food to his mouth. Alright he would take
smothering spells and would have to be
lifted up in bed that he might regain his
breath and strength. At this critical period
he was not able to put on his clothes, not
able to do anything but sit and suffer his
miserable life away.
One physician gave as his decision of the
case, that his leg would have to be placed in
3 vice and stretched to its original length,