WHAT BATES WANTED TO KNOW.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 188, 8 July 1896, Page 3

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 an attack of rheumatism at one time, when a like exposure for a score of times leads to no such result? "

Before I set down in writing tho answer I 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 rhsuinatie fever, 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 was so helpless I could not raise my hand to my mouth. After the fever left me I was extremely weak, and so emaciated I was little more than, skin and bone. A largo lump, the size of an egg, formed on my elbow, and my lingers were almost drawn out of joint. I cannot describe the suffering 1 had to bear. The doctor ordered mo various medicines, and cod liver oil, but they had no effect. In February, 1893, I rend 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. Leverott and Fry, High Street. After taking it two weeks I was better, and in about a mouth more all rheumatic pains had left me, and I was strong and well as ever. You may publish what I have said. (Signed) John 11. Kent, 9, Randall Street, Maidstone, Kent, January 30th, 1895." '•For many years," says the other, "I had been subject to liver complaint and indigestion. I was habitually heavy' weak, and weary. My appetite was poor, and all food gnvo me pain and fulness at the chest and around the sides. I had so much pain and tightness of tho chest that I could not endure the pressure of my clothing upon it. Although not laid up, I was seldom fiee from pain or a sense of discomfort. In the summer of 18931 betray to suffer with rheumatism, which affected my arms and shoulders until I had not the power to lift my hand to mv head. I triedallsortsof 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 Seigel's Syrup had done heifer rheumatism, and 1 got a bottle from the Drug Stores in St. Ann's Road. In a few dnvs 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 respect. In common thank- i fulness for niv sneedy and wonder- j ful deliverance, I willingly consent to the publication of this huiried j statement should you wish to make | use of it. (Signed) (Mrs) L. S. Cole, j 6. Albert Road, South Tottenham, j London, August 16th, 1895" Before answering the question of | my friend Bates (who was n chronic j rheumatic) I asked him one : ' Why i does a lighted match, dropped into i the road, die out harmlessly, but \ when dropped into a hayrick, set up a conflagration ?" "Any fool can answer that," he said. " Because in the one case there is nothing for the firo to catch hold of, while in the other there is,"

" Exactly," I responded. "Now see. Indigestion and liver complaint (the second consequent 011 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 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 rcid is carried out of the body about as fast as it is formed. "Fxposure then* brings on no rheumatism. But, peh contra, when the stomach and liver lire in bad condition, the acid forms faster than kidneys and skin can carry it off. Then expose yourself, get cold or wet, hamper the skin and kidneys still more, and the poison acid spreads through your muscles and joints like the fire in the dry hay. You understand ? Very well. The longer the cause persists the more frequent the rheumatic attacks. Thatiswliy chronic dyspeptics are apt also to be chronic rheumatics. Fend off dyspepsia, or cure it by the use of Afother 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 in it.

Stead's Masterpiece Libra,ry, Numbers 1. 2 and 3 to hand, Threepence each fit CnitONicpE Office,*