WHAT BATES WANTED TO KNOW.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 185, 17 June 1896, Page 5

WHAT BATES WANTED TO KNOW.

"I shall bo obliged if you can answer me one question," said my friend Bates, as he lay on the couch one day in my room nursing his aching leg. " Why does exposure 'to wet or cold bring on au attack of rheumatism at one-time, when a li'lee exposure for a-score of times leads to no such result ? "

Before I set down :in writing tlie answer I gave him I wish you would read the following letters, as 110 doubt the authors of them will be interested in the same point. " In November, 1X92," says the one, " I had an attack of rhaumatic fover, and was confined 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 wa3 so helpless I could not raise my hand to rny mouth. After the fever left me I was extremely weak, and so emaciated I was little more'than skin and bone. A large lump, the siee of an egg, formed 011 my elbow, and my fingers were almost drawn out of joint. I cannot.describe the suffering I had to 'bear. The doctor ordored me various medicines, and cod liver oil, but they had 110 effect. In Febru' ary, 1893, I read in a small book about the remarkable success which had followed the use of Mother Seigel's Syrup in cases of rheumatism and got.a bottle from Messrs. Lover, ett and Fry, High Street. After taking it two weeks I was bettor, and in about a month,more all rheumatic pfVins had left inl and I was strong and well as ever. 'You may publish what I have said. i(Sjgned) John H. Svent, 9, li and all Street, Maidstone, Kent, January 30th, 189.5:" "For many years;" says the other, "I had been subject to liver complaint and indige.-tion. I was habitually heavy' weak, and wear}-. My appetite was poor, and a'll 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 endurerthe pressure of my clothing upon it. Although not laid up, I was seldom free from pain or a seuse of discomfort. In the summer of 1893 J becar to suffer with rheumatism, which affected my arms and shoulders until I had not the power to lift my hand to rny head. I tried all sorts of liniments, embrocations and rubbing oil but got »no benefit from any of them. "In August, 1893, my friend, Mrs Owen, told me how much .good Mother iSeigel's Syrup had done her for rheumatism, and 1 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 pain had left me ; and I am happy to say I have never had any return of the rheumatism since, but I have enjoyed the best of health in every inspect. In common thankfulness for my speedy and wonderful deliverance, I willingly consent to the publication of this huiried statement should you wish to make use of it. (Signed) (Mrs) L. S. Cole, 0. Albert Eoad, South Tottenham, Jjondon, 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 ror 1, die out harmlessly, but when dropped into A hayrick, set up a conflagration ?" •'Any fool can answer that," 110 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 insolublo in water. This acid, which is a solid, enters the tissues, and sets going a hot inflammatory Are. 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 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 tilp\ brings on no rheumatism. But, per coxtha, when the stomach and liver are in bad condition, the acid forms faster than kidneys and skin can carry it off. Tiiex expose yourself, got cold or wet, hamper the skin and kidue3 r s st'll more, and the poison acid spreads through your muscles and joints like the lire in the dry hay. You understand ? Very well. The longer the cause persists the more frequent the rheumatic attacks. That is why chronic dyspeptics 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 you catch cold. That was my answer to Bates, and he said there seemed to be -sense lin 'it.