Mr Basford’s Jubilee.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2090, 11 July 1887, Page 2

Mr Basford’s Jubilee.

In these days of jubilation, when the air is surcharged with gladness, it is not strange that the private citizen should in a certain decree catch the infection, and rejoice as heartily over blessings, past and present, as does Her Gracious Majesty the Queen. And t bis sentiment is one which every man and woman, whatever be his or ber station in life, should foster. Gratitude is a giaoe too little cultivated, and on too many lips thanksgiving dies unsaid. In this spirit the story ot Mr Basford’s jubilee is given. It will be found not only a* absorbing as tbe most thrilling tale of the novelist, but rival* it in fact, in that it is strictly true. I was born in Northamptonshire, England. Ist November, 1814. When less than five years of age my parents removed to Australia, and as I have lived here ever since, mostly in Qippsland, I may well lay claim to beiug a pioneer. I am a gold miner by occupation, and was always a strong, hearty mao, until October, 1886. lam well known in Gipps-* land, having lived there from 1860 to 1885, and was a borough I councillor fur North Ward, Sale, for the two years preceding my departure from Sale to Melbourne, la October, 1886,1 caught a severe oold, which culminated in pain* all over me, and I was obliged to take to my bed. From bad I went to worse. 1 constantly bled at the note, and could nut keep anything on my stomach, not e-. an soda and milk. The pain* in my bead und back were excruciating. I was dehrioua in one sense, and yet bad my sensei. From my chamber win >ow I could see a church spire, and from tbe openings in tbe spire I could see tbonsano* ofgoblins, dressed in all sorts of fantastic gtih, tunning up and down and disporting with one another ; yet I knew they were not r< «l. I bad tbe power of reasoning, yet the a fantastic forms wonld appear, showing my mind was weakening. 1 called a physician, who examined me, and said I was sutfering from congestion of thw lungs, and doctored me ascordiugly, yet £ continued to grow worse, I then fi.st noticed my ankles and legs wets swelling, aud that they would “ dent ” on impression. I hod five physicians altogether, but none of these, except the last one, really told me what wee the matter with me, although I was paying a guinea a visit After 1 had been 1U about seven weeks, my body began to swell to an alarming extent, and a oold sweat covered me, with a soot and most disagreeable odourIt was so bod my nurse could scarcely stay in tbe room. My fluids were very scanty, high colored, and voided with rnaeb pain. My left arm swelled out of all semblance to an arm, a sort of watery bag forming and falling down on tbe under side. Across my back and hips was another appendage, like a saddle bag in form, so large I could shake it. I could not get on tbe trousers 1 aeoally wore, and so puffed out was my stomach and bowels with water that I could only button tbe two top buttons ol my waistooat. My faoe waa so puffed that 1 eonld scarcely see out ol my eyes, which ran water to each an extent that my pillow wan constantly w*C I had a pair of slipper* made to order, they were 12’* in length, and big every way proportionately ; yet I had to slit thorn ope* before I could get them on. The bleeding from the nose continued, also tbe vomiting, with dreadful retching, while my head felt aa though it were in a vyoe. I wanted to die, as life was only misery. A day or two before Christmas the dootor told my wife the.* wono hope for me, that 1 could not live until morning ; that I bad acuta Bright’s disease in its worst form, and he would not call again unless sent lor. 1 don’t care to mention this medical man’s name publicly, as he wet the only doctor of the five I bad who really toUl what was the matter with me. Be did hie best to cute me bat bis modi cine* taii+j Tbe day following I was alive, and having my attention called to an article on Bright’s disease in a local paper, recommending Warner’s safe oars, I told my wife to get a butle, and let me try it ae a last resort. She did so. The first dose I kept down—something remarkable. Tn* second dose likewise —wonderful. Tbe third doe* I vomited. I then dilated the medicine, end 1 persevered. The next day I ceased vomiting, end bad an appetite. From that day on I have noa vomited, and have relisbed ay food. The noae-bleed also stopped, and bar never returned, while the paius io my WJ padwally ceased. 1 could feed the *,viav down in my system. About Use tbwd 4*7 after commencing the moiiciM 1 t,twd pamphlet which aooomp-uirj >.» atae 1 ehcaii take Warner * safe pi.it wub lire «af* That nigh; 1 kva one pit, stuck w thoroughly c **o«e my t; -i.,:-, } describe my feeling,, excvyi by lt teemed like pooaiug fr\a» uW. u* paradise. Since that time mv Nxvvmy bat been rajad Ihe doc tar, prvialut belie vmg me desd never cal.ed again. The twmUug ali cm my body gradually want down. My hair —ntr oi't,gr»«i tcalee peeled off mv and 1 teemed to be renewed Ihroaghoal. My normal weight it from liti to IStu, but whan 1 waa to swelled 1 1 ..-I have weighed at leas* .btt. 1 oan now pat my tin tapper* on over my boots, and wear my Cuithes oaos mare, the dropsical swelling uating anliraly disappcaied. About the la ol March, 1887, I could got on my l» . t lor * short time, and thereafter g-adual y gained in strength, to that 1 could (ok# moil walks. Now k feel Out my young manhood (has come back to me. My friends jocularly call me •• Chart the Grave,” and 1 feel that I have done so in truth. 1 never expected to get well, and now that I have completely recovered, I cannot say enough in praise of the medicine that brought me book to Ids, health, and strength. lam ready at any aud all time* to answer auy question* or letters, or go before any medical boatd fur the same purpose. My recovery is simply a miracle, and 1 am truly grateful. The Jubilee year will always be remembered by me and mine, and the jubilee ws celebrate is not a matter ol form or lip service, but comes from the depths of thankful hearts. Hm del Bisioan. Exploration Hotel, L. Lousdale-street, £, Melbourne. ''