THE "DEATH WATCH."

Otago Witness, Issue 2006, 4 August 1892, Page 36

THE "DEATH WATCH."

A HOUSEHOLD PEST WHICH MAKES

UNCANNY NOISES

Who has not heard the "death watch?" Many a person who has happened to be aw ake in the stillness of the :iight has listened to the tick, tick for half a dozen times or more in successiou as ltgular and as natural as the ticking of a clock. Many have regarded the sound with superstitious awe and dread, because everything about it is so mysterious. The name death watcli is derived in this way, as a person sitting up with the sick is more apt to hear such sounds, and when they were heard at such times, it was considered an ill-omen to the sick one. -Some intrepid person dared to brave this messenger of death, and found, instead of the supposed spirit, a guileless, timid little insect. However, the name is still retained, and no doubt many still wonder what makes that peculiar sound and why it is made. It is wonderful that the mere tick, tick, tick of this harmless insect should cause such fear and dread in some people's mind, who are generally so apathetic in the matter of the serious signs of approaching catastrophe, that spitting of phlegm in the morning, dull aching feeling in the head, eyes, and back, languor, all tell of the increasing debility of the system. Recourse must be had to a genuine restorative which will build up the general strength and restore the normal health as in the case of Miss M. Wignail, 46 Fenwick street, North Carlton, Melbourne, who writes :—": — " During the last seven years I have suffered dreadfully from neuralgia, passing many sleepless nights of agony in consequence. So much b&'\ the pain interfered with my general health that I had wasted away to a shadow, ninny of my friends thinking I was consumptive. I tried all kinds of remedies without success until I used Clements Tonic, of which the first bottle gave me instant relief, and I feel that Clements Tonic is thoroughly reinvigorating my whole system, giving me a a good appetite and relish for food, and I have therefore much pleasure in endorsing the merits of Clements Tonic,"