WHAT BATES WANTED TO KNOW.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume XXIV, Issue 2090, 25 September 1896, Page 3

WHAT BATES WANTED TO KNOW.

• I shall be obliged if you can answer me ■ one question.' said my friend Bates, as lie 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 limes leads to no such result ?' Before I set down in writing the answer,l 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,' says the one, • I had an attack of rheumatic-fever, and was con- . fined 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 r so helpless I could not raise my hand to my mouth. After the fever had left me I was . extremely weak, aud so emaciated I was . Jitle more than skin and bone. A large , lump, the size of an egg, formed on my elbow. and my ifingers -were almost drawn out of joint. I cannot dascribe the suffering I had ito bear. The doctor -ordered me various mfdicines, and cod liver oil, but they had no - effect- In February, 1893, I read in « small book about the remarkable success which . followed the use of Mother Seigel's Syrup in cases of rheumatism, and got a bottla ftom Messrs' Leveieit and Fry, High Street. After taking it two weeks I was better, and in about amonth more all rheumatic paiDrf hid - left me, and I was strong and well as ever"xou ttv>y publish what I have said. (Signed) , John H. Kent, 9, Randall Street, Maidstone, Kent, January 30tb, 1895.' ' For many years,' say* the other, ' I h*d subject to liver complaint and indigfstion. I was habitually heavy, weak, and weary. My appetite was p -, or, and all food gave me pain and fulness-at the chest and around the sides. -1 had so much pain and tightness of the chest that £• could not endure the pr> ssure of my clothing upon i. Alv though not laidup.-I was seldom free from pain or a sense of discomfort. In the summer • of 1893 I began t'j suffer from rheumatism, which affected my arms and shoulders until I • had not the power to lift my hand to my headi I tried all sorts of liniments, embro- . cations, and rubbing oils, but. got no benefit ! ftom any of them. 'In August, 1893, my friend, Mrs Owen, told me how much good Mother Seigel'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 afterwards all the pain i h%A left me ; and 1 am happy to say I have < never bad any ieturn of rheumatism since, but have enjoyed the best of health in every respect. In common thankfulness for my > speedy and wonderful deliverance, I willingly consent to the publication of this hurued statement should you wish to make that ; uae 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 chronic rheumatic) I asked him oue : ' Why does a lighted match, dropped into the road; die out barm- : lesßly t but when dropped into a hayrick, set : up a conflagration ?' ' Any looL 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 produce a virulent poison 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 doe 3 what a sliver would—• oDly the acid-is a poison sliver. i When the indigestion and the 1 iver v 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 coutra,' when the stomach and liver are in bad condition, the acid forms faster than the kidneys and skin can carry it off. Then expose yourself, get cold or wet, hamper-the skin and still more, and the poison acid spreads through your muscles and joints like the fire ■i, io the dry hey. '<You understand ? ' Very well. The longer"the cause persists the more frequent the rheumatic -attacks. .That is *wby chronic dyspepsias are apt also to be chronic rheumatics. Fend off- dyspepsia, or cure it by the use of Mother Seigel's Syrup, and you and the rheumatism .will have no dealings. Neglect it, and suffer every time yon catch cold.' :That was my answer to Bates, and he :.aaid there, seemed to be sense in it.