Page 55 Advertisements Column 1

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1536, 7 August 1901, Page 55

A Long Period of Misery Li¥@r 8 Stomach, and Serves Affected Another Great Tribute of Thank® to Clements Tonic.

The Ca@© of Mr. J. DR2SCOLL. (by our reporter). The stage has a great fascination for people who visit theatres. As the handsome actors and charming actresses appear in resplendent garbs before the footlights they are greatly idolised by those who aspire to become members of the theatrical profession. » Nothing is thought of the continuous study and perpetual travelling from place to place, involving as it does, no end of packing and unpacking of the costumes which charm the hearts of the spectators. Incessant rehearsals are also professional necessities, but Mr. Jame 3 Driscoll, of i 7 Jacob’s Place, \\ ellingtou (a gentleman who has appeared on the boards of most theatres throughout Australia and New Zealand;, informed our reporter that some three years pgo he found the most important requisite in his calling was good health. “ Without it we are as miserable as we make orrr patrons when they happen to see us out of sorts,” continued Mr. Driscoll. “ You are not often iu that condition, I hope,” observed the writer. “ I am never like that now,” was the reply, but I have had more than my share of physical and mental suffering. 1 found my former activity of muscle and limb gradually deserting me. One of my principal performances consists in giving acrobatic displays, vitality, flexibility, and sttength being the essential requirements to go through the ordeal. My system rau down so deplorably that I was disgusted with my feeble efforts. I could not understand what was the cause of this extraordinary change, but presently I was made aware of the fact that my liver was decidedly out of order. My tongue was furred, and my mouth had a disagreeably bitter taste in it. Instead of being cheerful and lively I became depressed and melancholy. The brightest music performed by the orchestra had not the slightest effect upon my morbid condition, unless it was to increase my irritability. ® Whatever I ate proved unsuitable to my digestive organs. After every light repast I felt terrible shooting pains between my shoulders, besides having the most acute agony in my stomach, where the food lay in a lump and undigested for hours, meanwhile going into a state of fermen tali n. Sour, bitter gases caused no end of belching, besides which I had a painful fluttering sensation in my heart. This made me anxious and alarmed, because I did nob know what was the cause of it. £ little thought it was the wind pressing against my h< art and producing the violent palpitation of that organ. Some days I could hardly hold my head up on account of fearfully depressing sick headaches. A state of nervous collapse was the next feature of my illness. My nerves twitched and jerked so much that I couUi not keep myself stili, not even when in bed at night.” “ Were you able to sleep well ? ” “ No, I could obtain very little although I turned and twisted about sufficiently to tire any ordinary man out. My mind was disturbed with evil forebodings, and I felt there was some evil trouble looming in the near future for me. Towards sunrise I usually fell info a heavy doze, from which I awoke suddenly as if startled by some sudden noise. Further experience taught me that it was an extra vigorous jerk of my nerves which made me start up like this. The noise of pas-ing traffic used to worry mo, although I could not hear it as distinctly as I used to, my hearing having become defective. My ailments harassed me so much that I could not sit down and read the papers ; but I had no interest in their contents, so it did not matter much. I looked upon the dark side of everything in life, because I knew I was gradually wearing away. I turned with a feeling of nausea from the sight of food, with the result that I became as thin and haggard looking as an emaciated old man. ® For fully a fortnight, atone period of my illness, I did not sleep an hour.” “Surely you were in a bad state to be unable to sleep for such a time.” “ I tt lought I was done for, especially as the inaon'" became chronic. Sharp pains now appea red in my legs, and my conati&u-