If Eating Were a Crime.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue XII, 22 March 1902, Page 537

If Eating Were a Crime.

There was a time when Mrs. Hayes considered herself to be what she calls “ a gong woman.” She actually divided her clothes and other personal effects among her children. Thank Goodness —but here is her story, told in her own way; by all odds the best way. “ Three years ago,” she says, “ I had dreadful pains across the left side of my stomach and under the shoulder-blades. My left side swelled up fearfully. I was laid up weeks nt a time, work being out of the question. While these fits were on I could neither walk, sit, or stand with comfort. “ I was really ashamed to let the neighbours see me crawling about; so I. spent most of my time lying down or leaning against something to

ease the dreadful pains. “ I had been a hard-working woman all my life, but now I lost my strength and dreaded to eat anything, knowing the woeful suffering I was sure to experience afterwards; as if eating were somehow a crime against the laws of nature. And at night I rolled and tossed about instead of sleeping. “ The doctor said it was indigestion and no doubt he was right, but he was not able to relieve me. “ I considered myself a ‘ gone woman,’ and told my husband I was sure I could not last much longer. Indeed I was so fully persuaded of this, that I actually divided my clothes and personal effects among my children. “Thank Goodness and Mother Seigel’s Syrup I have since worn out most of them myself. “After a lot of coaxing and argument (for I was tired of trying things, and hope had about died away in my heart) I consented to take Seigel’s Syrup. “ I was not quite sure of the effect of the first bottle but my husband

insisted ou my going on with it. So I did go on with it, and after I bad got through half the second bottle there was no doubt of the result. 1 was much better; I felt it, and others could see it. ” It was hardly short of a miracle, the way Seigel’s Syrup brought me round. From a poor, weak, and wretched woman, unable to walk or scarcely to raise my hand to do the smallest piece of work, it gave me back health and strength, restored me to my husband and family, enabled me to go on with my work once more, and, in short, made me as well as ever I was in my life. “ I am now upwards of 60, and have reared a large family. I have lived in the district sbout 37 year*, and am well known here.” (Mrs.) Julia Hayes, Mount Keira, Paradise, near Wollongong, N.S.W. October 14th, 1899. Mr. John Hickey, blacksmith, at the same place, writes that he has known Mrs. Hayes all his life, and (in common with many others) knows her statement to be true. He adds that she is respected by everyone.