What Sates Wanted to Know.

Manawatu Herald, 14 July 1896, Page 3

What Sates Wanted to Know.

» "I shall be obliged if you can answer 1 me pne question," said my friend Bates, as he lay on the oouoh one day in my room nursing his aching leg. " Why does exposure to wet or oold bring on an attack of rheumatism at one time, when a like exposure for a score of timea leads to no such result?" Before I set down in writing the answer I gave him I wish you would read the following letters, as no doubt the authors of them will be interested in the same point. "In November, 1892," sava the one, " I had an attack of rheumatic fever, and was confined to my bed for four weeks, during which time I suffered fearfully. I had awful pains all over me ; my joints swelled up, and I was so helpless I could not raise my hand to my mouth. After the fever left me I was extremely weak, and so emaciated I Wai little more than skin and bone. A large lump, the size of an egg, formed on my elbow, and my fingers were almost drawn out of joint. I cannot describe the suffering I had to bear. The doctor ordered me various medicines, and cod liver oil, but they had no effect. In February, 1893, I read in a small book about the remarkable success which had followed the use of Mother Siegel's Syrup in, cases of rheumatism, and got a bottle from Messrs Leverrett and Fry, High-st. After taking it two weeks I was better, and in about a month more all rheumatic pains had left me, and I was strong and well as ever. You may publish what I have said. (Signed) John H. Kent, 9, Bandatt street, Maidstone, Kent, January 80th, 1895." " For many years," says the other, •• I had been subject to liver complaint and indigestion. 1 was habitually heavy, weak , and weary. My appetite was poor, and all food gave me pain and fulness at the chest and around the sides. I had so much pain and tightness of the chest that I could not endure the pressure of my clothing upon it. Although not laid np, I was seldom free from pain or a sense of discomfort. In the summer of 1893 I began to suffer with rheumatism, which affected my armß and shoulders until I had not the power to lift my hand to my head. I tried all sorts of liniments, embrocations, and rnbbing oils, but got no benefit from any of them. " In Auguit, 1895, my friend, Mrs Owen, told me how much good Mother Siegel's Syrup had done her for rheumatism, and I got a bottle from the Drug Stores in St. Ann's Road. In a few days I was much better, and in less than a month after* wards all pain had left me; and I am happy to say I have never had any return of the rheumatism since, but have enjoyed the best of health in every respeot. In common thankfulness for my speedy and wonderful deliveranoe, I willingly consent to the publication of this hurried statement ! should you wish to make that use of it. ! (Signed) Mrs L. S. Cole, 6, Albert Boad, South Tottenham, London, August 16th, 1895." Before answering the question of my friend Bates (who was a chronio rheumatic) I asked him one :— " Why does a lighted match, dropped into the road, die out harmlessly, but when dropped into a bayrick, set up a conflagration ?" "Any fool can answer that," he said. "Became in the one case there is nothing for the fire to catch hold of, while in the other there is." " Exactly," X responded. " Now see. Indigestion and liver complaint (the second consequent on the first) continue to produce a virulent poison in the blood called urio aoid, practically insoluble in water. This acid, which is a solid, enters the tissues, and sets going a hot inflammatory fire, That is rheumatism. It does what ft sliver would— only the acid is a poison sliver. 11 When the indigestion and the liver trouble art not very bad, and the kidneys and sweat glands of the skin are aoting fairly well, this acid is carried out of the body about as fast as it iB formed. Exposure then brings on no rheumatism. But, per coutra, when the stomach and liver are in bad oondition, the acid forms faster than the kidneys and skin can carry it off. Then expose yourself, get cold or wet, hamper the skin and kidneys still more, and the poison acid spreads through your muscles and joints like the fire in the dry hay. You understand ? Very well. The longer the cause persists the more frequent the rheumatic attacks. This is why chronio dyspeptics are apt also to be chronio rheumatics. Fend off dyspepsia, or cure it by the übb of Mother Siegel's Syrup, and you and the rheumatism will have no dealings. Neglect it. and Buffer every time you catoh cold." That was my answer to Bates, and he Mid there teemed to be lesie in it.