MORE ABOUT MATTEI CURES. LEITH STREET CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2085, 8 February 1894, Page 23

MORE ABOUT MATTEI CURES.

LEITH STREET CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

The following letters have appeared in the Daily Times : —

TO THK EDITOR;

Sin,— Before I leave Dunedin, which I do to-morrow, I have to ask the favour of your inserting these few lines, with a view of showing that Mr Charters's case is not an isolated one. Within the past few days I have seen a lady whose case is completely analogous — minus the operation and the "chicken bone." About three years previous to her serious illness she had strained some internal part, through lifting an invalid relative of considerable weight. She was conscious of suffering damage at the time, and ever afterwards complained of increasing pain. Her medical attendant — a man of high repute in Danedin — diagnosed the existence of a tumour, and advised its early removal, alleging that it was the only course to be adopted, and that it would grow larger the longer it remained. The lady was as much averse to the operation as the doctor was in favour of it. Happily for her she met with Lady Paget'a account of her visit to Count Mattei (it is re-published in the "Cancer Controversy"), and after reading it provided herself with the remedies and the best information she could get to aid her in their use. She persevered steadily — though for a considerable time she experienced no result but the abatement of pain and a greater sense of comfort. At length, after the lapse of several months, the tumour softened, suppurated, made an exit for itself almost at the same spot in the side and about the same distance from the tumour as in Mr Charters's case, and after discharging freely for some months dried up, the opening closed, and she is now in the enjoyment of excellent health. In this case there was nothing of the nature of a " chicken bone" brought to light, so as to explain this wondrous cure, but everything happened precisely as the count had led the world to expect. Would that the doctors would thoroughly investigate these remedies, and give the suffering world the benefit of thoir use 1

I am sorry to say that I leave Dunedin with my challenge to put them to the proof unaccepted. — I am, &c , Samuel Kennedy, L R.C P. and Dunedin, Feb. 2. L.R.C.8., Bdin.

TO THE EDITOB.

Sir, — I feel it incumbent on me to write the following at this juncture as the experience of a medical man who has put these remedies to the test and my views regarding this subject, which has been much en evidence before the Dunedin public lately.

I was introduced to the Mattei remedies in the first instance in the case of a gentleman who was suffering from renal colic, who bad taken with marked relief a remedy I prescribed, but only with temporary benefit. He was in such agony that Mattel's remedies were begun, and in a very short time complete and lasting relief ensued, and there evidently happened what the Count claims — a dissolving of the concretion, as f>sr a day or two there was a copious deposit of crystals. This gentleman had a similar attack a few years before, followed by the passage of a small stone. Then came my own case. I had tried many remedies, and my breakfast diet had at last to be reduced to dry bread and cold water, as even butter to bread and sugar to tea resulted disastrously. I then took Mattei's Scrofoloso, with immediate curative effect.

These two instances predisposed me to try the Count's system of treatment for cancer. I soon got a most typical example in the person of Mrs Smith, of Halfway Bush, whose letter appeared in your contemporary. She does not mention me in her letter. I Buppoae because she did not care to do so without asking me. This is certainly a most wonderful case as far as it has gone, both as regards the extent to which the disease had advanced when I first saw her— on the 30th April 1893— and the steady progress of recovery up to 13th December, when I last visited her. There can be no controversy as to diagnosis. lam sure the two doctors who saw her before I did will acknowledge that. But when I have said this I have said all I c&nfrom experience for Matteism re cancer. This case is not cured yet, though everything at present points to cure, and so it is yet sub judice. As regards the other cancer cases I have treated, I am sorry to say I have nothing favourable to report. I have seen six besides Mr 3 Smith, and I frankly confess that if I had not Mrs S. to the good, the others would make me give an adverse verdict. At the same time, in fairness to the Mattei treatment, it is only right to say that Mrs Smith's is - the only one I have confidence in as having faithfully carried out the directions in their entirety. Also, the others were either cancers that had been operated on from two to five times, which Mattei generally excludes from hope of cure, or cancers from the country, of whose subsequent histories I am ignorant.

This brings me to make the following important statement, viz. — that only the rich can carry it out, or a Mattei free institute. The cost of the treatment and the convplicated character of it renderß it impossible for any but the well-to-do to successfully undertake it — at any rate at present in Dunedin. When it is known that in many cancers it requires two or three years uninterrupted treatment, the above statement may be understood. One lady told me it cost her lGd a week for the remedies, and this was net a cancer case. How many are in a position to be constantly sipping dilutions every 10, 15, or 20 minutes, taking dry globules every hour, applying compresses, ointments, and electricities at their proper times and appropriate places, and using full-length baths two or three times a week ? It is beyond the reach of any but the favoured few.

Then another important point is that every now and then some essential remedy is out of stock and cannot be got for weeks, and Mattei is most emphatic that the treatment for cancer must not be suspended for a single day.

What is the sum of the whole matter as far as my experience goes ? It is that there is a good deal to be said for the Mattei remedies as curative agents ; they are by no means a fraud, but they are not a panacea. I wrote to Dr Theobald (England), who translated Mattel's book iuto Eaglibh, and in reply he said : " My experience of them is that when they really act beneficially the action, is brilliant and immediate, la a 'number of other cases they are absolutely useless " The italic is my own. When we tako this statement, together with Dr Will's verdict after two years' experience, and my own after one year's experience, it behoves us not to expert too much from Matteism in order to prevent disappointment.—l am, &c, Wm. Lamb, M B , CM. (Ediu ) Dunedin, February 3.

A lad named William Bloomfield was drowsed while bathing with other boys in a dam at Livingstone on Tuesday. Near the outlet of the dam there is a deep gutter, and deceased got into this, and getting out of his depth sank. Much sympathy is felt for the lad's parents, who have lived on the goldfields for many years, — Oamaiu Mail,

Some months ago the Rev. David Johnstono the pastor and founder of the Leith Btreet Congregational Church, realised that it was neceßsary, owing to feeble health and advancing years, to ask his office-bearers to make provision for his early retirement from the pastorate. The strong attachment that has always existed between Mr Johnstone and his people rendered the duty of relieving him a very painful one, and the request was made that in any circumstances ho would continue his connection with the church aa honorary pastor. On this condition the Committee of Management undertook to endeavour to find a suitable successor, and they have now brought their labours to a satisfactory i&sue, the absolutely unanimous choice of tho members and adherents of the church having fallen upon the Rev Henry W. Burgoyne, who has recently arrived in the colony from Morecambe, a well-known water-ing-place on the north- west coast of England. The invitation was conveyed to Mr Burgoyne on Thursday evening laat, and has been accepted by him. It is now over 13 years since the Leith street Church was opened, and it will be within the recollection of not a few of our readers that at tho beginning Mr Johnstone and those who were associated with him were confronted with difficulties of no ordinary character. But time, patience,the quiet, persistent, Christian teaching and effort of the pastor, and tho sympathy and earnest encouragement and co-operation of the people, overcame all obstacles, and for a long period the church has undoubtedly been a considerable factor for good in the community. The people are united, and' the church buildings and property have long been entirely free from debt, a happy state of things wholly due to the voluntary and systematic offerings of those who attend the services. It must be a great comfort to Mr Johnstone to witness the continued affection and devotion of the people who have so steadfastly stood by him and worked with him. We trust his life may be spared for many years, and that the work he has so well begun and carried on may continue to prosper under the new ministry- _

Mrßurgoyne comes fully accredited from the Home churches. He was a student of New College, London, where one of his colleagues was the Rev. W. J. Woods, 8.A., secretary of the Congregational Union of England and Wales. Though he has been nearly 20 years in the ministry, this is only his third pastorate. For two years he had charge of a church in Kent, and for 18 years he has been pastor of the church at Morecambe as aforesaid. His transfer from the Lancashire Congregational Union to the Congregational Union of New Zealand wilUtake place in due course.

There has been exceptionally heavy mortality among stock during the past year in Otago, attributed to the fact that the autumn was unusually dry, by reason of which the winter feed was so scanty and poor that the stock perished through starvation. Information is to hand from one of the best known runs in Central Otago that in a flock of 21,000 sheep only 12,000 could be mustered for shearing, and in another large run the mortality is stated to be as high as 33 per cent. The holders of small grazing runs have also suffered severely, evidence of this fact coming before the Land Board each week in applications for permission to surrender runs. One applicant, whose request to be relieved of a small grazing run in the Kakanui district was considered by the board yesterday, stated that when he took up the land in March last he put 1000 sheep on it. When he mustered for cutting and tailing there were only 103 lambs, and ho did not expect to have more than 350 sheep to shear. The Hampden correspondent, of the Oamaru Mail writes: — "The crops, particularly the wheat, look anything but cheering. I have heard farmers complain of a night's frost which occurred about a week ago by adding its help to the already heavy injury. The oat crop seems to look healthy, and the turnips appear to be flourishing. Grasses are in abundance, and the dairyman sterns to have the best of it. ... Lately a new departure was about taking place ab the local factory— namely, changing its to cheese-making. This did not meet the wishes of suppliers of milk, who aro all shareholders in the concern, and as a result they sent a big protest against the project, with the result that mabtera remain as they were at present. Tho new departure would entail a serious loss on all suppliers of milk who are taking back skim milk and utilising it for calves and pigs, and who entered or became shareholders with this intention." Mr Valentine, the Government dairy inspector, is making # preliminary visit of inspection to Otago and Southland. He is ab present in Southland, but will be back in Dunedin on Saturday. Mr Valentine expresses himself as well pleased with the, country he has seen, and his views will be looked forward to with interest on the publication of his report to the .Agricultural department. The Government have, on Mr Valentino's recommendation, appointed Mr Busck temporary inspector of shipments of dairy produce from Danedin and the Bluff undor the Dairy Act. Time was when Te Whiti and Tohu were the cause of grave disquietude. "But," as the poet says, " tho old order [ohangeth ever, giving place to new." The quondam prophet and his fiery henchman (says the Wellington Times) have now settled down to literary pursuits. They are busy writing up the lore of their race — in whioh Te Whiti is especially learned — for the benefit of the Polynesian Society. A committee of Maoris living at Rotorua are also engaged in making for the society a collection of ancient Maori laws, which have never been published. Moreover, the society expects soon to receive a valuable monograph on the traditions of the Chatham Islanders— a mine of antiquarian lore hitherto un worked.

Taking the equivalent of all intoxicating drinks in proof alcohol, the figures for the various Australasian colonies stand as follow per inhabitant for the year 1892, except in the case of Tasmania, for which colony the figures in gallons are for 1891 ;— New South Wales, 2*6? ; Victoria, 3:24 ; Queensland, 246 ; South Australia, 2-53; Western Australia, 3-68; Tasmania, 2 00 ; New Zealand, 1-77. This makes New Zealand the most sober of all the colonies, and yet the figures show that in this oolony the consumption of spirits was 071 gallons per head, whilst in Tasmania the quantity was only 0 69 per head.

Two vessels are heing prepared under the direction of the Trinity House to relieve the lightships at the North Goodwin Sands and the Kentish Knock. The new ships are being built under contract^ and they embody many improvements upon the lightships of the older type, each being supplied with powerful syrens, the one for the North Goodwinß being worked by steavn and that for the Kentish Knock by a caloric engine. Both vessels will be in direct electrical communication with the shore, the cable from the North Sands having its land connection at Dumpton Gap, and that from the Kentish Kuock at Kingsgate Bay. The post office authorities will lay the cables, and the cost of the work and maintenance charges will be defrayed out of moneys specially voted for tho purpose by Parliament. A spar-decked Bteel screw steamer, the Woolwich, has been launched by Messrs Ropner and Son. The vessel is 330 ft long, 43ft beam, and 29ft 6in deep. She will be olassed 100 Al at Lloyd's» and carry over 5000 tons deadweight on Lloyd' freeboard. She has cellular bottom for water ballast, and will have all the latest appliances suitable for a first-class cargo steamer. She will be fitted with triple-expansion engines by Messr* Blair and Co. (Limited), of 1200 i.h.p., with twolaree steel boilers working at 1601b. She has been built for London owners. ~