What Bates Wanted to Know.

Manawatu Herald, 28 July 1896, Page 3

What Bates Wanted to Know.

"I shall be obliged if you flan answer me one question," said my friend Bates, as he lay on the couch one day in my room nursing his aohing 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 Buch result?"

Before I set dcwn 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 lame point.

"In November, 1892," Bays the one, •• I had *n attack of rheamatio fever, and was confined to my bed for four weeks, daring which time I suffered fearfully. I had awful pains all over me ; my joints swelled op, and I was so helpless I could not raise my hand to my month. After the fever left me I was extremely weaic, 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 do effect. In February, 1893, I read in a small book about the remarkable success which had followed the use of Mother Biegel'a 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. Tou may publish what I have said. (Signed) John H. Kent, 9, BandaU- street, Maidstone, Kent, January 30th, 1695."

"For many years," saya the other, "I had been subject to liver complaint and indigestion. I 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 disoomfort. In the summer of 1893 I began to suffer with rheumatism, which affected my arms and shoulders until I had not the power to lift my hand to my head. I tried all sorts of liniments, embrocations, and rubbing oils, bat got no benefit from any of them. " In August, 1893, 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 wbb much 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 sinoe, but have enjoyed the best of health in every respect. In common thankfulness for my speedy aud 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 Eoad, 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 bayrick, set up a conflagration ?" " Any fool can answer that," he said. " Because in the one case there is nothing for the fire to catch hold of, while in the other there is."

"Exactly," I responded. "Now see. Indigestion and liver complaint (the second consequent on the first) continue to produpe a virulent poison m the blood called nrio 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 sliver would— only the acid is a poison sliver.

" When the indigestion and the liver trouble are not vexy bad, and the kidneys and sweat glands of the skin are acting fairly well, this aoid is carried out .of the body about as fast as it is formed. Exposure then brings on no rheumatism. But, per coutra, when the stomach and liver are in bad condition, the aoid 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 aoid spreads through your muscles and joints like the fire in the dry bay. You understand ? Very well. The longer the cause persists the more frequent the rheumatic attacks. This is why chronic dyspeptics are apt also to be chronic rheumatics. Fend off dyspepsia, or cure it by the use of Mother Siegei'a Syrup, and you and the rheumatism will have no dealings. Neglect it. and suff e r every time you catoh cold." That was my answer to Bates, and he said there seemed to be sense in it.