Poisoned from Head to foot.

Manawatu Herald, 27 July 1897, Page 3

Poisoned from Head to foot.

* *• We call particular attention to the subjoined statement. No incident of its kind, i of equal interest and importa-ace, has occurrpd of late years. A declaration so startling in its general scope, and so full of corroborative detail, certainly warrants the conclusion that a new epoch in the ; healing art has dawned upon us. Aside . frnm the force of the legal forms which it p assumes, the facts, as alleged, rest upori the rer-ult-* of a thorough and careful in--1 vestigation. (Copy. ■ I, George Lafck, of 123, Stamford Street, ; Waterloo Road, London", __ solemnly and [ sincerely declare as follows : — " I was always a strong, healthy man up to April, 1876. At this time, whilst ' engaged at the S.'amford Street Embroidery Works, cleaning* out a tank which had been used for dyeing purposes, I slipped and fell in the tank (w)ich was covered with verdigris), cutting both iHy elbdws* The parts soon becamp swollen, and in ft week's time the flesh was putrid, as if • gangrene had set in. My system seemed ■ to be poisoned, and I began to lose strength rapidly, for ray appetite left me and I could not bear the sight of food, what little I did eat lay on my chest like lead. I went to the Royal Free Hospital, Gray's { Inn Road, where I was under treatment for five weeks, but I got worse. After this I got an order and went into the Lambeth i Infirmary, where I was placed in No. 11 Ward. At this time my condition had become serious, for I felt so sick and faint ' that I oonld scarcely move, and, after a ' time, I got so bad that I could only get up 1 for an hour or two eaoh day. Later large I abscesses formed on my shoulder, and [ gradually spread over my face and the opper part of my body. My face was com- ! pletely covered with the absoessps, which, ■ on healing, left deep marks, that I bear to - this day. After this I had swelling around ; the joints, and large abscesses formed in ' the calf of my leg, and I had also running '' wounds, extending from the top of my 1 ankle to the bottom of my feet. An offens ive discharge of matter came from the ■ parts, and it seemed as if the abscesses were drawing the life out of me. I was now in a hopeless, helpless state, and felt that I did not care how soon my end came. i For days and days I never closed my eyes, I and on one occasion I had but little sleep tor eighteen days and nights together, the doctor's sleeping draughts having no effect ' upon me. When I did at length fall asleep I slept from Thursday to Sunday afternoon. From all the dootor's medicines and applications I only got temporary relief. On one occasion the doctor said that I could not live throughout the day. The nurses placed a screen round my bed, expecting that I should die during th*.' day, and my brother was sent. for. When the doctor called at night he was surprised to find me alive. However I tool-* a turn for the better, but for months i afterwards I was, as it were, on the brink , of the grave. I had to be lifted in and out of bed, and was fed on slops and light food. Sometimes better, and at other times worse, I continued in this wretched state for over five tears, during which time I remained in the hospital. In August, 1881, I became tired of being in the hospital, and was carried to my houao. I was so weak and emaciated that I got a pair of crutches to help me to hobble about the house. My father and friends who saw me were shocked at my feeble and emaciated appearance, and thought I was not long for this world. I lingered on in the same wretched state for two more years, expeoting and wishing that I should soon be out of my misery. In November, 1883, after suffering over seven years, my father bought me a bottle of medicine called Mother Seigel's Curative Syrup, and persuaded me to try it, saying that it had been of great benefit to him. After I had taken half the contents of a bottle, I felt brighter and in better spirits than I had . been for years. My appetite improved, ' and by continuing with the medicine my legs began to heal, and I got stronger and stronger. In less than three months I was able to put aside my. crutches and walk with the aid of a stick. After I had taken Mother Seigel's Curative Syrup six months I was back at ray work, as strong as ever I was in my life, and have since kpt in the best of health. I wish the particulars of my case known to other sufferers, - and the Proprietors have my Cons?nt to make what use they like of this statement. And I make this solemn declaration, conscientiously believing the same to be true. By virtue of the pro* visions ot the Statutory Declaration Aot, 1885 (Will. IV. c. 68), (Signed) " George Laok." Declared at No. 16, Godliroan Street, Doctor's Commons, in the City of London, this 13th day of April, 1893, before me, (Signed) George H. Brooks, a Commissioner for Oaths. Here we have a case of profound and persuasive blood poisoning. Verdigris {chemically the bibasio acetate of copper) is, when introduced into the circulation, a slow poison, for whioh no positive antidote is known. There is no doubt that the physioians in the hospitals did all that could be done, with tbe knowledge and resources at their command. Unhappily their treatment, at best, was only mildly palliative ; the poison continued its deadly work, until it saturated the poor fellow's entiie system and perverted all its functions. What but an ultimately fatal result could have been reasonably expected ? Mr Lack's final and perfect recovery, through the use of Seigel's Syrup, illustrates beyond the need* of comment the unprecedented' power of that well-known remedy to renew the digestion, stimulate the secretory organs, and thus to purify the blood. In common with all who shall read the details of this oase, wo most keenly regret that Seigel's Syrup was not taken immediately after the results of the accident first appeared.