WHAT BATES WANTED TO KNOW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10223, 29 August 1896, Page 3

WHAT BATES WANTED TO KNOW.

'I shall be obliged if you can answer me 0110 question,' said my friend Bates, as lie lay on the uoucli one day in my room nursing his achuic let;. 'Why does exposure to wet ot cold bring on an attack of rheumatism at one time, when a like exposure for a score ol times leads to no such result T

Before I set down in writing the answer I gave him I wish you would read the following letters, as no doubt the authors of them will be interested on the (wine point. 'In November, 1892, ' says one, ' I had an attack of rheumatic fever, and was confined to my bed for four weeks, dining 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 wits extremely weak, and so emaciated I was little more than skin and bone. A large lump, the size of an egir, formed 011 my elbow, and my fingers were almost drawn out of joint. I cannot describe the suffering I had to bear The doctor ordered me various medicines, and cod liver oil, but they had no effect. In February, 1893, I read in a small book about the remarkable success which had followed the use Mother Seigel's Syrup in cases of rheumatism, and got a bottle from Messrs. Leverett and Fry, High-street. After taking it two weeks I was better, and iu about a month more all rheumatic pains had left me, and I was strong and well as ever. You may publish what I have said. (Signed) John H. Kent, 9, Randall-street, Maidstone, Kent, January 30th, 1895.' For many years,' says the other, 'Iliad been subject to liver complaint and indigestion. I was habitually he*vy, weak, and weary. My appetite was poor, and all food gave me pain and fulness at the chest and around the sides. I had so much pain and tightness of the chest that 1 could not endure the pressure of my clothing upon it. Although not laid up, I was seldom free from pain or a sense of discomfort. In the summer of 189,' I began to sutler from rheumatism, which affected my arms and shoulders until I had not the power to lift my hand to my head. I tried all sorts of liniments, embrocations, and rubbing oils, but got no benefit from any of them. 'In August, 189.'), my friend, Mrs. Owen, told me how much good Mother Seigel's Syrup had done for her rheumatism, and 1 got a bottlo from the drug stores in St. Ann's Road. In a few days I was much bjettir, and in less than a month afterwards all pain had left me; and lam happy to say 1 have never had any return of the 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 pf this hurried statement should'you wish to make that use of it.— (Signed)' (Mrs.) L. S. Cole, 6, Albert Road, South Tottenham, London, 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 road, die out harmlessly, but when dropped into a hayrick, set up a conflagration ?'

' Any fool can answer that,' lie said. ' Because in the one case there is nothing for the fire to catch hold of, while in the other there is.'

'Exactly,'l responded. 'Now see. Indigestion and liver complaint (the second consequent or. the first) continue to produce a vrulent poison in the blood called uric acid, practically insoluble in water. This acid, which is a solid, enters the tissues, and seta going a hot inflammatory fire. 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 ot the body about as fast as it is formed. Exposure then brings on no rheumatism. But, pa contra, 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 kidneys still more, and the poison acid spreads through your muscles and joints like the (ire 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 aud the rheumatism will have no dealings. Neglect it, and suffer every time you catch cold,' That was my answer to Bates, aud be said there seemed to be sense in it.