TWELVE MONTHS OF TORTURE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue VIII, 14 August 1897, Page 252

TWELVE MONTHS OF TORTURE.

A CHIB? STEWARDS STRANGE STORY. That section of unfortunate humanity who have experienced and still experience the tortures of sciatica and rheumatism will be profoundly 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 51st 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. His connection with the E. and A. 8.8. Company extends over 10 years, and he has during that time been trading between China, Japan, and Australian ports. His case having attracted much attention, and caused considerable comment in local shipping circles, a press representative called upon Mr Buckhold at 226, George-atreet, Sydney. The chief steward readily volunteered to recite the circumstances of his case, and Mrs Buckbold, who was present, assisted and confirmed her husband in the 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 an acute stage. I ascribe the malady 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 had 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 bed-ridden, and in great agony for three months from the latter end of May. My hip grew oat, and the joint bone in the back protruded. After three months I improved slightly, and was able t > get about the house with the assistance of two sticks. Bat it was a great struggle to move, and caused excruciating pain. I could not bear to put the foot to the floor. Two months afterwards, in September, I had to take to bed 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 late as midnight, and when he did not call I administered the injection.’ * Well,’continued Buckhold, ‘I remained in bed till the 31st December last. It was then the doctor urged me to go to the Camden Convalescent Hospital for a change, and I mast 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 eonld not keep up an establishment any longer, and came to live in Sydney with friends of onrs, on the 7th January 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 steward’s 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 short distance. The perspiration wonld pour out of me with the pain, which 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 undiminished pain. Two days later I met Captain H. Craig, of the s.s. “Guthrie” (E. and ASS. Company). and he advised me to try Williams* Pink Pills for Pale People. At the same time he handed me £l, and told me to get the pills at once, which I did. I followed the directions, and, after taking three boxes, I felt much improved. I continued with the fourth, taking six pills a day, two after each meal, with interesting and happy results. Of the fifth and sixth boxes I took nine a day, three after each meal, and had four pills left when I had become perfectly strong, healthy, and robust. I can now walk any distance without fatigue,

and suffer no pain whatever. As for my appetite, it is disgracefully keen and insatiable. The recovery was gradual at first, and then rapid towards absolute cure. I began the pills on the 15th May, and put the unswallowed four aside on the 14th June. I have taken none since, for my health has been thoroughly reestablished. 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.’s office, Pitt-street; there I arranged to go as chief steward as far as Adelaide, to ascertain how I would get along on a sea voyage. Well, the work was hard, and the weather bad, and my feet and clothing were often wet, but I fared first-class, and suffered no ill-effects. I returned to Sydney on the sth July by the A U.S.N. Company’s steamer “ Waroonga ” in perfect health and strength. I now feel fit for any work. * Yes, I passed through twelve months of unspeakable suffering, which I am sure would have been averted had I known of the extraordinary efficacy of Dr. Williams* Pink Pills for Pale People. However, I trust my experience may bring hope to the hearts of others suffering from sciatica.’ Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills have cured numerous cases of paralysis, locomotor, ataxia, spinal disease, rheumatism, and sciatica; also of disease arising from impoverished and vitiated humors of the blood, which causes scrofula, rickets, chronic erysipelas, consumption of the bowels and lungs, anaemia, pale and sallow complexion, general muscular weakness, loss of appetite, palpitations, pains in the back, nervous headache, early decay, all forms of female weakness, and hysteria. These Pills are not a purgative. They are genuine only with the full name, Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills for Pale People, and are sold by chemists and by Dr. Williams’ Medicine Company, Wellington, New Zealand, who will forward (post paid) on receipt of stamps or poet order, one box for 3s or half-a-dozen for 15s 91. They are unrivalled as a tonic for both sexes.