IN THE GRIP OF SCIATICA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2268, 19 August 1897, Page 18

IN THE GRIP OF SCIATICA.

TWELVE MONTHS OF TORTURE. A CHIEF STEWARD'S STRANGE STORY. Chief Steward Buckhold, of the s.s. Meamuir, is compelled to quit bis ship, a victim to terrible iciatica. Doctors attend him unavailingly. A voyage to Japan without relief. Ret arcs to Sydney in despair. A kind-hearted skipper's generosity. After one month, health and .happiness again. That section of unfortunate humanity who have experienced and still experience the tortures of sciatica will be prufoundly interested in the story of Chief Steward Ernest Buckhold, of the s.s. Menmuir (Eastern and Australian Steamship Company). Mr Buckhold is now in his fifty-first year, and was born at Hamburg, Germany. He has been seafaring for 32 years ; is well known in Sydney, and has been a householder at Ashfield and Burwood for 14 years, j Bis connection with thoE. and A.S.S. Company extends over 10 years, and he has during that time been trading between Chins, Japan, and Australian ports. His case haying attracted much attention, and caused considerable comment in local shipping circles, a press reprelentative called upon Mr Buckhold at 226 George street, Sydney. The chief steward readily volunteered to recite the circumstances of his case, and Mrs Buckhold, who was present, | assisted and confirmed her husband in the j following statement : — "I arrived in Sydney in May. 1896, from Japan, ' suffering severely from pains in the right leg. The trouble began gradually, but increased daily to the acute sciatic stage. I ascribe the malrdy to exposure and wet feet. The pains were first in the hip, and occasionally shot to the calf and the foot. Owing to the severity of the punishment I bad no peace or rest night or day.- I could not sit down to a meal, but had to lean heavily against the table. The pain took away all desire for food, and I could not sleep. I had to leave the ship and take to bed at Ashfield. I got worse, and was bedridden, and in great agony for three months from. the latter end of May. My hip grew out, and the joint bone in the back protruded. After three months I improved slightly, and was able to get about the house with the assistance of two sticks. But it was a great straggle to move, and caused excruciating pain ; I could nob bear to put the foot to the floor. Two months afterwards, in September, I had to take to bf d again." " Yes," interposed Mrs Buckhold, " and the doctor would almost cry when he came to see him to inject morphia. For 70 nights morphia was injected ; sometimes the doctor would call as ]ato as midnight, and when he did not call I i administered the injection." "Well," continued Buckhold, "I remained in toed till December '3l last. It was then the doctor urged me to go to the Camden Canvalescent Hospital for a change, and I must say the doctor bad been most kind and attentive, and tried hard to cure me. Through being ill and out of work so long, my circumstances became reduced, and I had to give up house and home. I could not keep up an establishment any longer, and came to live in Sydney with friends of ours on January 7 of this year. " I saw Captain Green, the superintendent of the E. and A.S.S. Company, and he granted me a passage to Japan as an assistant in the •tewards' department. This was done with the hope that the change would effect a cure. Five days after leaving Sydney the Australian arrived at Townsville, and the full fury of the malady returned. "In fact, it was worse than ever. I -was unable to go to the table for food, and would rather go without a meal than walk a abort distance. The perspiration would pour out of me with the pain, whion doubled me up. The slightest movement meant indescribable torture. Yet there was no cessation from suffering while. I kept quiet. When I arrived in Japan I thought to take a position in a European club at ■ Kobe, but I found that the incessant pain incapacitated me for any work. I was compelled to return by the Australian, and arrived in Sydney on the 13th May last, a physical wreck, and a bag of bones, and with undiminehed sciatica. Two days later I met Captain H. Craig, of the ■. s. Guthrie (E. and A.S.S. Company), and he advised me to try Williams'* Pink Pills for Pale People. At the same time he handed me £1, and told me 4;o get the pills at once, which I did. I followed the directions, and, after taking three boxe», I felt much improved. I continued with the fourth, taking six pills a day, two after each meal, with interesting and happy remits. Of the fifth and sixth hoxes I took nine a day, three after eaoh meal, and had four pill* left when I became perfectly strong, heiltby, and robust. I can now walk any distance without fatigue, and suffer no pain whatever. As for my appetite, it is disgraceSully keen and insatiable. The recovery was

gradual at first, and then rapid towards absolute cure. I began the pills on May 15, and put the unswailowed four atide on June 14. I have taken none since, for my health has been thoroughly re-established. And this will prove it I was called to the shipping office to see Captain Green, and he handed me a note for Captain Legg, of the s.s. Thornley, at Messrs Gibbs, Bright, and Co'a office, Pitt Stroet. There I arranged to go as chief steward as far as Adelaide to ascertain how I would get along on a sea voyage. Wei), the work was hard and the weather bad, and my feet and clothing were often wet, but I fared first-das*, and suffered no ill effects. I returned to Sydney on July 5 by the A.U.S.N. Company's steamer Waroouga. in perfect health and strength.- I now feel fib for any work. " Yes, I passed through 12 months of unBpeakabie suffering, which I am sure would have been averted had I known of the extraordinary efficacy of Dr Williams's Pink Pills for Pals People. However, I trust my experience may briDg hope to the hearts of others suffering from sciatica."