The Case of Mr. J. BARRETT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7226, 12 October 1901, Page 7

The Case of Mr. J. BARRETT.

( By a Special Reporter. )

The flat shady roads in and around the City of Chrlstchurch make the capital of. Canterbury a veritable cyclists paradise. On Saturdays and Sundays the roads are thronged with old, young, md middle-aged people, who work their jwn passages on machines of ak shapes md makes down to the picturesque caches of Smnner and New Brighton. \. very pleasant ride can also be obained through Opawa, where our reporter betook himself for the purpose ,i seeing Mr. James Barrett, of BallsoaJ., Opawa, who related an interestug episode in the following words: — '•Thirteen years of my life were spent it wprk in freezing chambers," remarkjd Mr. Barrett. "I put in seven years it Islington and sis years at Belfast, md the -different temperatures a man las to go through during a days toil ire enough to wreck a constitution oK ron; besides, I had three years' employaent amongst vats, and that just about .ut the finishing touch on the general >reak up of my health." \ '•Perhaps you worked long hours in ;hose unhealthy atmospheres ?" "For months at a stretch I havework<d from eighteen to twenty hours a, day. [ was thoroughly over-worked, but 1 <ept on for a long time, under great jisadvantages. You see, I became so axhausted and worn out that I had not the strength to eat my meals. I used to go home feeling too tired to tackle my food, but after resting a while I :uado another attempt. When I had swallowed a small portion of the food [ felt sharp pains in my stomach, and i little while after I was attacked with icute stabbing pains between my shoulders. A few ounces made me feel as full as a tick, and I could take no more. A. stifling sensation came on through ..vind arising from the stomach, and flocking the breathing tubes, and when it drew a deep breath I experienced a terrible cutting pain near the heart, ivhich often palpitated so violently as to ;ause me serious reflection. I thought my heart was diseased, and became ■<,roatly aJarmed, as my complaint showed an. increase of symptoms every day. Even my hearing, which was formerly very quick, became defective. My tongue was covered with a slimy matter, and my breath was offensive. Considering the awful taste in my mouth, I was not surprised at always feeling sick at the stomach. I had no vigor or energy left, and as, a complete loss of appetite occurred a few days after my illness appeared, I became as thin as a rate. My vitality and strength dwindled away till I was too weak to walk ten yards without being overpowered by a reeling of faintness, and I had to sit down or hold on to the nearest thing to hand to save myself from stumbling to the ground. I could not even enjoy the luxury of a read as my eyes were dim and hazy. Dreadful sick, torturing headaches helped to increase my misery. My face was just like a ghost's — thin, white, and haggard. There was not an ounce of flesh on my body, so you can judge what kind of an emaciating disease I was suffering from." "I suppose your liver was diseased r "Yes ; and when that happens it seems that every organ in the body goes wrong. They did in my case, anyhow. Terrific darting pains came in my loins, and my legs ached with weakness. My nights were usually sleepless; but sometimes, after turning from side to side till I was weary and half dead, I dropped off ; but I would rather be without such sleep, as it did not rest or refresh me in any way, and I was experiencing the utmost mental torture whilst lying in a comatose state. The most formidable and ugly dreams followed in quick succession through my head and when I woke np suddenly from' them I found myself perspiring and trembling with" terrified agitation. My bowels were very; irregular, being relaxed and confined in turn. As soon as T got out of bed. fits of retching came on/" jtccompanied with vomiting, when I threw up a green, sour-tasting, fluid. Thus I wae continually ailing till my

norvos could hold out no \otiget. My nervous system was shattered, tile slightest noise being suflic.ent to starlit! m and set me shaking violently. 1 beca??'.< quite unlike what I used to bo when ir. T.he .possession of good health,-- being ' cross and peevish without any justification. My mind was in a wretched state ■ of despair. Try how they wotilc! m.? ! friends could not cheer me up, as 1 TVaK too morose and melancholy to listen co them. It preyed upon my mind to bj thus prostrated and afflicted by a disease which baffled all my advisers' attempts at eradication. I was a useless burden to myself and an object of pu.v to others. Those who suffer like I die! have my heartfelt sympathy, and I dai^ say there are hundreds whose suffering. 1 are prolonged through sheer want ol knowledge, as was the case with me." "How did a lack of knowledge affect i your sufferings ?" i "In this way. Had I known there was such a marvellous virtue in Clemeiits Tonic when I was taken ill, I would have taken to it at; once, -and I am Bure it would have nipj>ed my disease in tii? bud ; but it was not until I had suffereu eighteen months that I was advised hy an old acquaintance to give Clement^ Tonic a trial. Every medicine I ha«.| previously taken was " not the slightest use. I sank lower and lower, and became hopeless and disheartened. J thought there was nothing on the facd of the globe to cure my complaint, but my friend assured me there was, and that I would pull through if I only followed his advice, so I bought a couple of bottles of Clements Tonic, the results being most satisfactory. My head grew clearer in respect to pain, and has never ached since. I became a little stronger after each close. A soothing influence over my nerveb also being observable, and I also commenced tc sleep batter at night. By the end of the first week the improvement wa« more general. I then slept soundly, almost as soon as I put my head on the pillow, and my appetite had assumed larger proportions. Shortly afterwards I could relish a couple of chops or a good steak for breakfast without feeling the least pain. The food digested and nourished my impoverished frame, thus creating an astonishing increase in weight. My cheeks filled out, and the mist was raised from before my eyes. All the agonies of my disease were deadened, and driven out of my system bj Clements Tonic. I felt the warm enriohed blood coursing with increased vitality through my veins, and naturally felt cheerful and light-hearted at having discovered, at the last moment, a« it were, a medicine which outrivalled all others, inasmuch as it was domg me good when every other physic failed My disease was banished by Clemen b Tonic in a very decided manner. J was not merely patched up temporally for my health could not be improved since Clements Tonic made me vjgoroii I and healthy some years ago. My wil I was debilitated and nervous, and siif fered severely with indgestion shortly after my illness. She took Clement' Tonic also, and her complaints were promptly cured." "May I give publicity to your remarks?" " Every word is absolute truth, so you may publish these facts in any way you please." _ — v STATUTORY DECLARATION I, James Barrktt, of Balls-roari, Opawa, rhristchurch, in the colony of New Zealand do solemnly and sincerely declare that I have carefully read the annexed dociinvm, consisting of three folios, and consecutively numbered from one to three, and that it contains and is a true and faithful account of my illness and cure by Clements Tonic, and also contains my full permission to publish in any way my statements— which I give voluntarily. witho"t receiving fcny payment; and I make this solemn declaration, conscientiously believing the same to hi 1 true, and by virtue of the provisions of an Act oi thr General Assembly of New Zealand, Intituled " Tin. Justices of Peace Act, 1882." Declared at Sydenham, this seventh day of Decem. - h:t, one thousand nine hundied, before me, ( STEPHEN LAWKENCK, J.P.^