The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-03-06
1t Shortened the Patients Leg Two Inches,
and so Affected The Nervous System
that He Continually Shook as
with the Palsy.
After Six Years of Torment He Succeeds in Find.
ing a Remedy for the Horrible Disease.
From The Egyptian Press, l.ar!on, AIinofs.

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 a good farm,
about four miles west Of Johnson City, H.,
He is now ffty-eight years old, i'll a healthy
condition, and weighs one hundred and ninety
pounds. Not q more upright and honorable
citizen does our nation afford, and lie Is
looked upon with wonder, because Of his
healthy condition after so long a period OF
misery and suffering.
The cause of Mr.. Peterson's long suffering
was a hurt which he received in a fall, while
running a drill in 1861, being a soldier ut
the time. He has been crippled Ill 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, cnd
now it is about two inches shorter than the
other. 1t began to grow worse and, finally,
his whole body began to shake like a person
with the st. Nitus' dance. His first severe
attack was about six years ago.
There is no disease in the power of human
Suuut duIC W o"luA Ia AS rlIA tiu
Affections than sciatic rheumatism. Some
times its pain may be q slow, steady one,
while, 1T 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 FL
most in a knot. While this is probably the
worst stage of sciatic rheumatism, it is some
times found in milder forms. So il was
with Mr. pafarsnp lint with il uoc nsS,ci-
ated a feeling and condition f,lmost rs I'M
comfortable and unbearable. The body was
in q continual shake, rendering it impossible
for him to do anything. lie 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.
For over three years he was not able to
write a word, so severe was his shaking. lie
could not even sign his vouchers, thereby
having to make his mark and witness it. At
this time he could not walk a step without
aid, nor even sit down in a chair without
assistance. So severe was the shaking OF
his head that it almost caused him 10 60
blind. He could not Distinguish q rson a
rods distance il front of linn. lie cdme
very nearly lcsin, his mind, and lis friends
thought, as Z lISt re.o~., ltnt t. would have
to he taken to n hosJitll. Whoa he was
taken to town for eX2miYati2l ly a phy>i-
clan, he hll to b. G; m;@"l il tie 1"1gy,
so diff alt was II far him to got out. rh,n-
times it would seem t'rat life was nearly cx-
tinct, anl his feet &al hl"ds would Lave to
be bathel il warm water Cnl rubbed il
order TO restore t., circulation. For two
years he was not abb" % fed himself 1T the
table. His eve: flithful and du,iftl vie p-t
the food to his mouth. Atni"ht he would take
smotherinr spells and .would h:vc TO ln
lifted up in bel that he might regain his
breath and strength. At this critical period
he was not able to put on his clothes, rot
able to d. anything but sit and sun'r his
miserable life away.
One physician gave. ~ his decision of tNe
case, that his le" nom!d have 10 h" placed IN
Q vice and stretched TO It's ~or:"iial ,cu-.n,