Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1897-03-13

There II 80 nnxne in this section OF the
country, connected with the medical world,
that is better 1own to the public than that
of Mr.. Monroe Peterson. He is situated III
o nice, comfortable home, with good farm,
about four miles west of Johnson City, ILL.,,
He is now ffty-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 il
looked upon with wonder, because of his
healthy condition after so long o period OF
misery and suffering.
The cause of Mr.. Peterson's long suffering
was hurt which he received in a fall, while
running a 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
COW it is about two inches shorter than the
ether. 1t began to grow worse and. finally,
his whole body began to shake like person
with the st. Vitus' dance. Ills Grst severe
attack was about six years ago.
There 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 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. It seems to
contract the muscles, drawing the body al
Sost in knot. While this is probably the
worst stage Of sciatic rheumatism, It Is sonc-
times found in milder forms. So it was
with Mr.. Peterson, but with it was associ-
ated feeling AMI condition almost as I'm.
comfortable and unbearable. The body was
in co1.inual shake, rendering it impossible
for him to do anything. He had lost all
control of his muscles. On application to q
physician for relief, he was told that the
the other hand, it might leave him entirely
at an unexpected moment.
For over three years he was not able to
write 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 coisd not walk step without
aid, nor even sit down in chair without
assistance. So severe was the shaking of
his head that it almost caused him to go
blind. He could not distinguish person o
rods distance in front of him. lie came
very nearly losing his mind, and his friends
thought as q last resort, that he would have
to be taken to hospital When he was
taken to town for examination by o 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 flithful 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 MT 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
Q vice aid stretched to its original length,