END OF SIX YEARS OF AGONY

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 10 March 1934, Page 14

END OF SIX YEARS OF AGONY

OIR. HERBERT BARKER, the famous exponent of manipulative surgery, whoso name is linked with so many triumphs over apparently incurable cases that he is credited with almost uncanny powers, nas recently achieved another astonishing success, according to ;the “Daily Mail.” It may be said that he has ended six years’ agony at a touch.

iHi's patient was Mr Lester S. Penny, son of Mr Bruce Penny, Town Clerk of Lambeth, S.E. Seven years ago, when he was 20 Mr Lester Penny, who is more than 6ft. in'height and of powerful physique, was a very active young man. He had played Rugby and boxed for Dulwich College, and was continuing these sports.

It was thought that it was as a result xif an accident while motor-cycling he began to experience severe pain in the hip and lower region of the spine. The pain became continuous, and he was sent in turn to a radiologist, a celebrated specialist, who “encased” •him in plaster for three months, and then to a surgeon by whom he was “ stretched. ’ ’

For two years more various kinds of treatment were tried, including the. wearing of a steel corset No sort of treatment succeeding, Mr Pennv was driven to despair

Relief Effected by Famous Surgeon

Then his father read an account of how (Sir /Herbert Barker has achieved what- seemed to be a miraculous cure in another case.

“It was arranged, therefore, that I should see Sir Herbert in London,” Mr Lester Penny told a “Daily Mail” reporter.

“It was my last chance, for I was assured that the resources of the medical profession were exhausted. My spine- was as stiff as a poker, and it was impossible for me to sit down. “Sir Herbert .said, simply: ‘I think I may be able to help you. lam going to Italy to-morrow; you must come there to me.’

“I went to him at Alassio, and on the day following my arrival Sir Herbert ‘operated.’ He said that a joint had been slightly displaced and was pressing on- the sciatic nerve. I felt better immediately. It seemed that something miraculous had happened!

“Sir Herbert told me to do certain exercises, and to take sand and sun baths. 'Gradually I was ria of all pain, I have continued with the exercises ever since, and to-day I feel an entirelv new man.” '

Mr Penny’s fatner said: “I had spent nearly £IOOO on treatments before I sent him to 'Sir Herbert Barker.”