The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1897-05-06

There is nc name in this section Of the
country, connected with the medical Wor'u'
that is 5S,;tt knwn to the public than that
of MIR. Monroe Peterson. lie is situated IL
a 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 IS
looked upon with wonder, because of LIS
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 a drill in 1861, being soldier at
the time. He has been crippled in lis 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. Ills first 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 sciaiic 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 10
contract the muscles. drawing the body a.
most in knot. While this is probably tho
worst stage of sciatic rheumatism, it is some
times found in milder forms. So it was
with Mr.. Peterson, but with it was ass0ci-
ated feeling and condition almost as ul-
comfortable and unbearable. The body was
in a continual shake, rendering it impossible
for him to do anything. lie had lost all
control of his muscles. On application to q
affliction 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 &c
write word, so severe was his shaking. III
could not even sign his vouchers, thereby
having to make his mark and witness it. Al
this time he could not walk step without
aid, nor even sit down in q chair without
assistance. So severe was the shaking Of
his head that it almost caused him to &C
blind. He could not distinguish o person
rods distance in front of him. lie came
very nearly losing his mind, and his friend:
thought, rs last resort, that he would have
TO be taken to q hospital. When he wa.
taken to town for examination by q 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 t.
be bathed in warm water and rubbed IL
order to restore the circulation. For tive
years he was not able to feed himself at tho
table His ever faithful and dutiful wife prt
the food to hismouth. Alright he would take
smothering spells and would have 10 he
lifted up in bed that he might regain hi,
he was not able TO put on his clothes, moi
able to do anything but sit and suffer hi,
miserable life away.
One physician gave, as his decision of the
case, that his leg would have to be placed in
. vice and stretched to its original length