What Bates Wanted to Know.

Manawatu Herald, 21 July 1896, Page 3

What Bates Wanted to Know.

" I shall be obliged if yon can answer me one question," said my friend Bates, as he lay on the couch one day in my room nursing his aching leg. " Why does exposure to wet or cold bring on an attack of rheumatism at one time, when a like exposure for a score of times leads to no such result?" • Before I set down in writing the answer I gave him I wish you would read the j following letters, as no doubt the authors of (hem will be interested in the same point. "In November, 1892," says the one, " I had an attack of rheumatic fever, and was confined to my b?d for four weeks, during which time I suffered fearfully. I had awful pains all over me ; my joints swellfd 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 was 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 bpok 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 andl well as ever. You may publish what have said. (Signed) John H. Kent, djM Banda'l street, Maids tone, Kent, JannaryH SOth, 1895." ■ " For many years," says the other, "il had been tubjeot to liver complaint andH indigestion. 1 was habitually heavy, weak.H and weary. My appetite was poor, and alll food gave me pain and fulness at the chestl and around the sides. I had so much pain ■ and tightness of the chest that I could not I endure the pressure of my clothing upon it. ■ Although not laid up, I was seldom free I from pain or a sense of discomfort. In the I summer of 1893 I began to suffer with I rheumatism, which affected my arms and I shoulders until I had not the power to lift I my hand to my head. I tried all sorts of I liniments, embrocations, and rubbing oils, I bat got no benefit from any of them. 1 " In August, 1898, my friend, Mrs Owen, II told me how much good Mother Siegel's I Syrup had done her for rheumatism, and 1 11 got a bottle from the Drug Stores_in_fiiJl Ann's Road. In a few days I waß muoh better, and in less than a month afterwards all pain had left me ; and lam happy to say I have never had any return of the rheumatism since, but have enjoyed the best of health in every respect. In common thankfu'.nefs for my speedy and wonderful deliverance, 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 Road, South Tottenham, London, August 16th, 1895." Before answering the question of my friend Bates (who was a chronic rheumatic) I asked him one : — " Why does a lighted match, dropped into the road, die out harmlessly, but when dropped into a hayrick, set, up a conflagration ?" " Any fool can answer that," he said. " Because in the one case there in nothing for the fire to catch hold of, while in the Qther there is." " Exactly," I responded. " Now seo. Indigestion and liver compla nt (the second consequent on the first) continue to produce a virulent poi?on in the blood called uric acid, 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 a diver would— only the acid is a poison sliver. "When the indigestion and the liver trouble are not very bad, and the kidneys and sweat glands of the skin are acting fairly well, this acid is carried out of the body about as fast as it is formed. Exposure then brings on no rheumatism. But, per cotitra, when the stomach and liver are in bad condition, the acid forms faster than the kidneys and skin can carry it off. Tlien expose yourself, get cold or wet, hamper the skin and kidneys sti'l 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 tbe rheumatic attacks. This is why

chronio dyspeptics are apt also to be chronic rheumatics Fend off dyspepsia, or cure it by the use of Mother Siegei's Syrup, and you and the rheumatism will have no dealings. Neglect it. and suffer every time you catch doldj" That was my answer to Sates, and he" said there Beemed to be sense in it.