PARALYSIS RELIEVED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18519, 2 October 1923, Page 9

PARALYSIS RELIEVED.

YOUNG toN'S; RECOVERY.

TWENTY YEARS' AFFLICTION.

LIMBS AGAIN VIGOROUS.

SIGHT OF BLIND EYE REGAINED.

' A remarkable recovery of/a young man whose., left eve. aim and leg had been affected since an attack of infantile paralysis whom he was two .years old, was reported last evening: Tho patient is a son of Mr. A. L. Menzies/an officer of the Department' of Health, and the young man is now aged 20. '!' There has undoubtedly been a tremendous improvement in my son's condition." Mr. Menzies stated. "Of course, wo do not know if it is lasting, but we can only hope it will be. When ho had infantile paralysis, we had him treated by all the doctors in Auckland., but only one, Dr. de' Olive Lowe, gave us any hope that he would ever walk. The doctor was, however, more concerned about the left eye. Many Years of Treatment. "At seven years old we, got Alex, to take a step or two,, but the ankles used to rest on the ground, tho leers being thin and like threads. We had him messaged and kept him in steel frames, and by tho time ho was 12 years old he was able to go to school, with help. Then, when ho was 16 he became stronger, though one leg was very much shorter than the other. He was able to walk fairly well, but with a. heavy limp, and was very tottering on his feet. The left eye was in a, terrible state, and he could see onK r 6in. away. He,has worn spectacles all his life, and. of course, is still wearing them. You must not run away with the idea that he was ablo to leave his glasses at the church. . » Practical Tests. " My son was taken to St. Matthew's Church this morning by Mrs. Menzies, and returned at half-past twelve. I was at home. I at once observed a. difference for the better in the. eye. It was small, but as I had watched' the eye for 20 years I bought 'I knew. I did. When I, came home from work at half-past six there was a marked improvement. I made tests and found my son could pick out colours at 15ft. He had never been able'..to do that with his left eye before. He could also see, a bunch of keys, a cigarette and other things I held out. The two eyes now work in harmony, when ho looks to the right or to the left, and that has never happened before. There is, of' course, room , for improvement yet. Strangely enough, the right eye is affected inasmuch as it is not quite normal. Muscular Strength. " Tho boy has now full control over tho left arm. from the elbow down. He can grip mo like a policeman with his left hand, and before he would tremble like a leaf if he used the arm at all. Just now he held out a glass of. water quite steadily in his left hand. "The left leg also is steadily improving and growing stronger. Both legs are deformed, very thin, and huge at tho knee— a typical paralysis knee. The left leg threw in under the right, and was bent in 4in. from the straight.' It has gradually improved until now, 11 o'clock, it is pretty well straight. Alex, even bent down and picked up a coin, and that is the : first time ho has ever done that. Belief from Childhood.

" Let me tell you the particulars I have given are all facts. I may say straight out that I am not a church. man. I am afraid I have scarcely been! to church once since I was married.' But Alex, has been a believer in Jesus Christ before he could read. If there is not a further improvement before the morning, well,, I'm a Dutchman," Mr. Menzies said. "Please understand that I am not carried away by any ridiculous emotion. I have seen and I believe. It is what we have watched and,waited for for 20 lotur years, and at last we have got it. You can realise that our family is more pleased than words can express. If .:■ to-morrow our boy is like he is now we will still be pleased If he goes back wo will (i|] bethankful that we taw some improvement. •">:• '~ '

RESTORATION OF HEARING.

REPORTS OF TWO; CURES.

ONE -DEAF FROM INFANCY.

Two cures of deafness have * been /reported as a result ipf the" Hickson Mission, the facts in both' cases < being supported by adequate , testimony. The first case bears some remarkable features, the signs of recovery being noticed while the young man concerned was attending a preparatory service held in St. Matthew's Church last Tuesday. . ' >. Mr, Morris Andrew Williams is the subject of the case under notice. ' .He resides in King Edward Avenue, Epsom', and has been completely deaf from infancy. He had not even ever beard the sound of his mother's voice. Last Tuesday evening, while Bishop Averill was leading in prayer on behalf of the afflicted, the young man turned to his mother, who-was beside him, and said: "I think I tan hear-a voice." Since that night-he has very slowly but steadily improved, until now he can distinguish speech from other sounds, which was quite impossible for him before. The other day he heard an,, organ playing, and' the music fascinated him. "It ; s' wonderful," were his words. The friends of the young man, -who have been interested in the case, are careful to point out that a complete cure has not been effected, and that the young man still finds it necessary to read the speaking lips to understand another's speech. He is to attend the healing service at St. Matthew's on Thursday, and'still further improvement is hoped for. The second case is that of Miss Emma Dunn, who resides at. Devon port. For many years she had suffered from deafness, and after an attack of influenza during the 1918 epidemic she became almost totally deaf, "forcing herself to' hear with great difficulty by, means of a special ear appliance. As a result of attending .the preparatory services, her hearing has been completely restored, and she is now able to hear without the aid of the instrument.. The genuineness of the case is vouched for by a number of her friends who have been impressed with the efficacv of, the cure. ''.■>-■. ■ * <> ~;■■..

■TODAY'S ARRANGEMENTS.

CONTINUATION OF SERVICES.

The mission will be continued in St. Matthew's Church this morning. ' Mr. Hickson will visit the Mental Hospital in the afternoon. The services will be continued on Thursday and Friday.