CHAPTER XIV.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 2, 1 May 1885, Page 21

CHAPTER XIV.

Cares of Rheumatism and Rheumatoid Arthritis — or Rheumatic Gout. These cases do not admit of the positive proofs which we can obtain in cases where the disease itself is visible to others. We can, in chronic cases of rheumatism, only see the deformity produced by the disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, or as it is often called rheumatic gout, the nodular masses of chalk-stones and the enlargements of the joints are, in old cases, very conspicuous. In such cases, of which several are narrated, an immediate or instantaneous cure is as clearly supernatural as if the disease were an open nicer, or a cancerous tumour. But in such cases as No. 98, for example, we must rely on the testimony of the patient and ethers. A few of the kind have been inserted, selected out of large numbers, for the encouragement of those who are suffering from a most painful, obstinate, and often incnrable affection. No 84. Chronic Rheumatism (Vol. ii., p. 13). — Gruillaume Jaffard, employed on the Leaponey Laslades station of the Midi Railway ; cottage No. 149 (Hautea Pyrenees), gives the following narrative (April 23rd, 1869) " I was always robust, but prolonged work in bad weather produced, 7 months ago, pains which prevented me from doing anyi hing. The doctor said it was chronic rheumatism. i remained in bed. incapable of moving for three whole months. When [ wished to move a limb I called my wife or one of my children, who got on the bed. My sufferings were dreadful. I could at last rise apd move with the help of crutches, but it was with great pain. I dragged myself along, making my feet slide along the ground." [He then describes the destitution to which the family was reduced, their want of food etc., and intimates that he himself had not been a practising Catholic. He was at length induced by the persuasion of his comrades to go to Lourdes. He bathed there and -felt only a little better, some relief, but hardly any]. "I took away a bottle of the Lourdes water. Before going to bed my wife bathed my feet with it again. I prayed, you may believe. When it was finished I tried to raise myself. I stood upright. Then I dart forward to walk ; I walk easily ; I cry " Wife 1 1 am cured I " [He then immediately started off lo a neighbour's who lived 200 yardß off to show him he was cured]. "The next day I arrived without a stick at.the station of Lesponey ; I had walked two kilometers (about ]£ miles). Everyone was astonished. My colieague-i said to me " You have done well to go to Lourdeo, Jaffard ; they may say what they like, there is a Supreme Being."* Fiance. •• I promised to take back the crutches, and I have come to-day to do so. ... I suffer still a little; lam not very nimble, but I hope. My feet were enormous — now they have ceased to be swollen ; I could not bend my back at all, I was as stiff as a stake, now I can stoop to the carth — see." Remarks. — Although the cure here is not so complete as in most of the cases, I have inserted it for the freshness and candour of the narrative. The extreme rapidity of the amelioration appears to me C inexplicable on any natural grounds. No. 85. Rheumatism op Left Arm (Vol. i., p. 128). — Marie Condon, who was present when the cure of Labbes was effected, had been suffering for six weeks from an atrocious rheumatism, which so impeded the movement of the left arm that she could not Mft the hand to the face, and was obliged to wash herself with the right hand alone. She dipped the diseased limb in the fountain. There was no more pain, and the suppleness of the limb was completely restored. She could lift her hand to her face without the slightest difficulty, moved her fingers, and grasped and held a large bottle of the Lourdes water. Remarks. — This case does not rigidly fulfil all the conditions requisite for deciding as to the supernatural nature of the cure ; but, admitting the existence of the disease as described, would a single dip in cold water cure it ? Several cases like these have been insetted, as they are short and do not take up much room, and may encourage' those persons who have already tried the usual remedies and failed to effect a cure to have recourse to the Lourdes water. • A curious Bide-light is thrown by this remark on the state of religion in

No. 86. Chronic Arthritis of the Shoulder Joint (Vol. zv., p. 114). — Sister Marie dv Rosaire, of Mirecourt (Vosges), suffering, according to the medical certificate, " from gastralgia and anaemia, and besides from chronic scapulo-humeral arthritis "— i.«., from stomach-ache and poverty of blood, and from chronic inflammation of the shoulder joint. The shoulder was extremely sensitive ; she could not move the left arm. and the fingers had by degrees become bent, and remained so. Various kinds of treatment had been tried without result. Towards the last the actual cautery had been applied. The swelling and pain always remained. Arrived at Lourdes, on Saturday (August 29, 1882), she was taken at once to the oiscina, and came out completely cured. The pain and swelling had disappeared ; she shook the left arm and could strike herself heavy blows on the diseased shoulder. On the 12th of September she remained well. No. 87. Chronic Rheumatism (Vol. xvi.. p. 190).— Mile. Ad6le Nannick, of St. Omer, aged 25 years, is stated in the medical certificate to have been suffering from " chronic rheumatism of the left arm," which had occasioned loss of feeling and of motion. Her disease had re* sisted the most energetic treatment, including electricity [galvanism?], etc. For two years she had been unable to do anything. Her hand was immensely swollen. Continual pain deprived her of sleep. Arrived at the Grotto, all alone, her fingers, which had been contracted, opened. A warm current passed through the arm, which recovered sensation and motion. On the Bth of September (the cure having taken place between I the 21st and 24th of August, 1882), the account given was : " Since her return Adele is perfectly well. She is able every day to sew, wash, rub, etc. The physician who attended her acknowledges the cure to those who ask him." She used to receive 4 francs a day from a benevolent society, but the physician having seen her arm since her return from Lourdes, has struck her name off the list of persons receiving assistance, saying " 9he has no need of it ; she is cured." Remarks.— The cure in this case of a case of chronic rheumatism (if it were chronic rheumatism) of two years' standing is unquestionably supernatural. It seems to me probable that there might have been some tumour on the nerve, causing the loss of motion and sensation ; but as the medical certificate gives chronic rheumatism as the disease, I have accepted the diagnosis. In either case the cure would be miraculous, occurring instantaneously. No. 88. Tumour of Lip and Articular Rheumatism (Vol. xi., p. 89). — Mme. Anna Castet, <nke Candonat, of Andouins, near Morlaas ( Basses Pyrenees), had obtained at the Grotto, in 1873, the sudden and complete disappearance of a tumour which she had on the lower lip, and which had resisted all treatment. Having suffered for three months from articular rheumatism, which prevented her from walking, she found herself cured on the 7th of July, 1878, after a bath taken in the piscina. No. 89. Chronic Rheumatism ; Ankylosis of Knee (Vol. x., p. 37).— Marie Palisae, wife of Raymond Herisson, residing at Brittl, in the diocese of Montauban, aged 43, was attacked in May, 1873, consequent on being exposed to a heavy downfall of rain which she had to bear for several hours, with a weakness in the left leg, so that she could only move with the help of a paic of crutches. This weakness was soon accompanied by very acute pains in the joints. The se<*t of the pain was the leEt knee. The leg swelled in an extraordinary manner ; the joints were attacked ; it was impossible for her to beud the knee ; the least movement^ caused her the most cruel pain, and the slightest friction on the limb almost made her faint. This state continued three years. Often she passed several months in bed. When she could get up she dragged herself along painfully by the help of crutches. She could do no work. She made a pilgrimage to Lourdes in June, 1876, and at her first communion there, although she was obliged to use the crutches in going to the church, she was able to ascend the altar steps and kueel, which she had not been able to do for three years. On returning to : her place she felt a happy change had taken place in her. I From the Basilica she went to the bath, into which she plunged, although she was in a state of perspiration. Some minutes afterwards , in going out of the water, she felt her limbs free and unloosened , \dtgagis\ and she was able to walk without help. Shft gave her crutches to one of her companions, and during the rest of the day she walked about, ascended to the church, and went twice round it. From this time Marie Palisse took to field work, carried heavy r burdens, and enjoys perfect health, which atmospheric changes have . never altered. t This is certified by the cure of the parish, and by the signatures i of sixteen witnesses. No. 90. Chronic Rheumatism (Vol. x., p. 124). — M. Fernand t St. Elme of Autry (Loire), aged 30,.bad suffered cruelly for 16 months 3 from chronic rheumatism which paralysed the left side and which 3 resisted all remedies. Drawn by his mule and by a charitable neighbour and plunged in" the piscina, he experienced a kind of forcible c tightening in the diseased side, immediately followed by a pleasant i warmth. He was astonished to find himself able to carry the hand 1 which just before was paralysed to his head ;he came out of the c piscina by himself, and the next day he was able, without support, t to follow'the procession from Sancerre, and take a second bath, which completed his cure. P No. 91. Rheumatoid Arthritis (vol. x., p. 104).— Justine '• Lepelletier, of Lille, aged 34 years, has suffered for ten years from r > rheumatoid arthritis [rJieumatisme goutteux) which had attacked her !S feet, her legs, and her hands. The carious bones [? chalk stones] were ready to come out and form sores. A doctor here [at Lourdes J 8 after having questioned the patient as to her former conditions, baa fc » declared the case incurable. f ' She took three baths, feeling herself better each time. To-day '. (August 20, 1877) her legs and feet are perfectly cured and the swele ling has entirely disappeared. The fingers of the haud, and the toes 0 of the right foot, stiffened by the disease, have nearly regained their „ mobility but the hand remains a little deformed. She followed in | wUbput fatigue a long torchlight procession,

No. 92. RHt.UMATOiDABTHRITXB(VoI. x, p. 180-182) — Two cases are vouched for by M. Paul Feval, one of Marie Brugere of No 64 Avenue des Ternes, Paris. She is describe] as having been powerless for 40 years, her hands being qnite incapable of doing anything. She walked with infinite trouble, bent double. She was &o far cuied as to be able to walk easily and upright, and to work with her hands. There only remained at the time of writing a sharp pain in the right knee. The cure waa instantaneous, and took place in the piscina itself. Another case (No. 94. Vol. x., p. 181) is that of a poor woman whose poverty waa extreme. She was the mother of three children, and in order to mend their miserable clothes, she had for two years drawn her needle with her teeth, all four limbs being absolutely crippled. This was from articular gout — rheumatoid artbristi, aa it is called by English physicians. !At the date of tf. Paul Feval's letter she' could sew, walk, and tun ! She was 45 years old. The day but one after her arrival from Lourdes she walked at least two leagues and a half on the pavetneut of Paris, without being too much fatigued. M. Paul Feval in writing of this case, desires not 'to give her name, for reasons (apparently) arising from her position fin society, and conjugal relations. I Remarks. — The above particulars are taken from letters published by M. Paul Feval. They both refer to some other letter, twhich unfortunately is not re-printed in the " Annales." a .iuas. These cases of rheumatoid arthritis or rheumatic gout as it is (commonly called, are about the most hopeless and distressing cases [with which we are called to deal. The patients of ten live for yeara • with clear intellects, capable as far as the mind is concerned of* any Ikinc^ft work, but absolute cripples, with their hands especially deforlpd, the fingers twisted, etc. They are often to be found inmates [of hospitals (in these colonies), workhouses and refuges for the destitute in Europe. Now, when a patient who has suffered from this disease is suddenly cured, as thes? patients were, one at the fountain itself instantaneously, and the other during the pilgrimage, we may safely a sert that no natural means could have accomplished the cure. Even in the early stagep, before complete deformity has been produced, the cure is long and difficult, and can only be effected by a regular course of mineral waters, baths, etc. No. 94 Chronic Rhumatoid Arthritis (Vol. viii., p. 231). — Marie Beau, aged 22, had lost for about 14 months the use of the left arm, in consequence of chronic arthritis, which had totally paralysed the fore-arm, the wrist and the hand. Bhe wished to accompany the pilgrimage from Marseilles on the Bth of September, 1874. When she left she had a large swelling of the arm which formed a complete obstacle to all movement of the wrist and fingers. She suffered great pain during the journey. On arriving at the Basilica she attended the pilgrims' Mass, she rf ceivtd Holy Communion, and on returning from the altar she felt her wrist arid hand instantaneously leeoine free from swelling. Her fingers suddenly became flexible, and she could move them. When relating the impression that she received at this moment she said that " all her arm from the shoulder to the extremity of the hand became light as if it had been freed from a heavy burden." The arm, however, sliU remained stiff. [raide~\, but all pain had ceased. About two in the afternoon, she went to the fountain, which she bad not been able to approach sooner on account of the great crowd of pilgrims ; she plunged her arm into it for five minutes, praying with fervour to the Bleßsad Virgin. When she drew it out again the arm had legained its strength ; she shook it and moved it in every direction, and from that moment she could make use of it on the spot xo carry a basket which contained food and other objects. She returned to Marseille* with her arm in a healthy btate, and has sinca remained completely cured of her arthritis of the wiist. Remark?. — This was a case of obstinafe, but possibly curable diseai-e, cured instantly. It is of course imoossible to attribute the cure of a disease which had existed for fourteen months, and the entire and immediate disappearance of the swelling to any natural cause. No 93. Articular Rheumatism (Vol. v., p. 45.)— Mile. Marie Vankerckhovp, of Anvers, a pupil at the Courent of the Sacred Heart at Paris, was attacked with articular rheumatism, complicated with pleurisy, oa the 7th of Jannary, 1872. On the 14th Jannaiy the physician declared the case hopeless, and a telegram called the parents from Anvers to Paris. On. the evening of the loth the father and mother found their child dying, and the mother wasasked to pass the night at the convent for fear lest the fatisnfc should not survivo until morning. At 5 p.m. the father and mother vowed a pilgrimage to N. D. de Lourdes. lliree hours afterward 4, at 8 p.m. two physicians dec ared that the disease waa arrested. tins condition lasted until the 23rd when the nuns proposed a trid unite of prayer?. Marie (the patient) declared that she placed her confidence in N. D. de LourJes, and the ptayers in her honour weie commenced. On the 20th at midnight; at the moment when the triduum fiuished, the patient's heart was suldenly relieved (le i'(pur cst. . . tout a coiq> degage) to the gieat astonishment of the physicians, and all danger disappeared. fouie days afterwards iSldlla. Marie returned to Anvers. Remarks. — The points of this case aie the arrest of the disease suddenly at 5 p.m., certified to by the physician, and the sudden relief tv the lieart on the 26th. Possibly the case was one of pericarditis, of inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart, as well as of pieuiisy. 'Ihu cat© is badly narrated, an.l many particulars are wanting. But it seems clear that a sudden and unaccountable amendment took place. No. 90. Articular Rheumatism (Vol. v., p. 46).— Mdme. Clerneuce J., asjed 51), of Auvers, on the 15th November, 1869, loat her daughter Iza, who died At the age of 22 after a long illness. In attending to her daughter she contracted an articular rheumatism, which was a family disease. Her neck and rigut arm were as if paralysed 1 her pains were excruciating. She remained in

this condition until the spring of 1870. One day in March she waft warming herself at the fire of a stove in the hot-house of her garden. Not being able to en lure the tortures of the disease, she lay down on the pavement and put her neck near the fire. Her little daughter was there, and wa3 affected at seeing her mother in such pain. Sha said " Mamma, would you try th'j Lourdes water ? I have a little bottle which was given me for you."

Mdme J. had no confidence ; she had heard them speak of the water of N.D., de Lourdes, but full of mistrust for the " exaggerations of the French," she did not believe. Tha little girl, however, insisted, and at last the mother conquered by the entreaties of her daughter, and also by an interior voice, said, " Good mother, if you really appeared at Lourdes, and if you wish to be honoured in this place, cure me." She drank a drop of the water ; in an instant she fell asleep on the pavement. When she awoke she was entirely cured. For two yeara .she has never had any sufferings, although she has not taken the simplest remedies against the disease to which she is subject, exposing herself to rain, and to all the severities of the weather. Remarks. — The point of this case is that the rheumatism had lasted for abont five months, from November 15, 1859, 't0 March, 1860, that it was instantly cured after a draught of the Lourdes water, and that for two years afterwards there was no return of the disease, as in, May, 1872, she renewed her thanksgiving for the cure, which she considered she owe! to the intercession cf our Blessed Lady of Lourdes. Could this have been a natural cure ? It seems to me not possible. The cure w.ts not only instantaneous but permanent, and that in spite of exposure to " all the severities of the weather." It may be worth pointing out that the cure took place in Belgium , which accounts for the expression about the " exaggerations of the French." No. 97. Ohbonio Rheumatoid Arthritis (Vol. vi., p. 326).— M. V Abbe Victor Marie de Musy, aged 45 (born 1828). In 1851 he suffered from loss of voice ; later on great weakness in the knees showed itself. In May, 1855, M. de Musy (be had not then taken Orders) was instantly cured of both diseases while praying before the image of the Holy Face, in the Oratory of M. Dupont at Tours. The next year he entered the Seminary of St. Sulpice at Paris. But the weakness of the legs reappeared, and for eighteen years it continued increasing. The eyes were also attacked, and the young student was obliged to suspend his studies, and return to his family. He was still anxious to become a priest, and at length in 1859 he was ordaiaed a priest, but in consequence of bis infirmities he was authorised to say, instead of the Mass of the day, the Mass of the Blessed Virgin, which he had learut by heart. He was able to say Mass for two years. In 1861 he could no longer stand upright for a sufficient time to say Mass. He was only able to celebrate twice, ia 1867, in consequence of the temporary success of some treatment. He resigned himself co the disease which paralysed him. He could neither walk nor stand upright, he was rolled about in a wheel chair, or carried in some one's arms. His voica was almost extinct, and hid sight so weak that he could neither read nor wrice a few lines without experiencing painful contractions of the nerves of the head [sic]. During all these long years everything possible was done for him, the water cure at St. Genis, Laval, baths of compressed air, Baux Bonnes, sea-baths, the waters of Aix, of Neris, of Bourbon Lamy, of Hombourg, of La Bauche, the water treatment at Divonne for nine months ; the application of the actual cautery on both sides of the spine, vesicating liniment on the bones at frequent intervals, but often for one or two months continuously during five years, the patient resigued Limself to everything, sustained by the desire to exercise his priestly ministry. A list of eleven doctors is given, under whose care ll 11I 1 Abbe Musy was at one time or other. On the ni^bt of Auguat 6 he set out for Lourdew, accompanied" by a yonng priest, M. l'Abbd Antoine, who was devoted to him as a son to hu> father. The journey was not easy for a man who was tall, heavy, aid paralysed. At the statious the porteis had to carry him in their arms to a carriage. They arrived at Lourdes, Friday evening, the Bth August. ' The next day and the days following a carriage took him to the Chapel of the C-ypt. and afterwards to the Grotto. A wheel chair (which miy still be seen at the Grotto) took him to the altar or into the interior of the Grotto, where he prayed for long hours, or to the bath, into which he plunged every day. On the 15th of August (the Feast of the Assumption) he heard three Massap. A little before the elevation of the third Mas 9, the paralysed priest felt strongly inclined to rise and kneel down (he was in the « heeled chair). He resisted for a moment, fearing an illusion, and also dreading the bad effects of a useless attempt before the witnesses who were there. Nevertheless, he yielded to the inner voice, and fell on his km-es. There was strong emotion, but neither suffering nor shock. He felt that he was cured. A quarter of au hour afterwards he arose, aud went out of the chapel on foot. The coachman, who was waiting for him at the door, looked stupefied. The two priests debcendeJ. on foot to the Grotto by the longest road, saying Hail Marys. At the Giotto the crowd of pilgrims was enthusiastic at the sight of the miracle. M. l'Abbe Musy regained his sight, and placed his signature on images innumerable, without the slightest fatigue to the eyes or to the head. He went on foot to the Maison des Missionaires, and then to the church. The next day, Saturday, after having looked over the rubrics and prayers of the Mass, which he hid not celebrated for so leng a time, the priest saw an uuknown gentleman enter his room, who said to him, " I am come to thank you ; your miracle has converted me. For forty years I have not frequented the Sacraments. When coming to Lourdes I promised my sister to be converted if I saw a miracle. I was before the grating [at the Grotto] when you related your core,

This recital has convinced me ; I have confessed, and I ask of you the favour of communicating at your Mass." The next day, assisted by tho Cure of Lourdes, M. I' Abbe de Musy celebrated Masß at the altar where he had been cured. Many of the faithful wished to receive Communion from his his hand. The first who communicated was Mme. de la Rue, cured on the 14th, and the secoad the con verb of the 1 5th. The priest returned entirely cured to his family at Couches lea Mines in the diocet>e of A.utun. On the 7th of December of the same year he returned to Lourdes to thank the Blessed Virgin Immaculate for bis cure, and to ask that of his mother, whose emoioa at learning her son's cure had been so great that her heart had become affected. At this time (March, 1874) M. l'Abbe Musy enjoys perfect health as he has done ever since his cure. Remarks.— This case is given with more detail than usual, for it is remarkably interesting. If this is not a miracle, what is 1 No. 98. Rheumatism (Vol. iv., p. 101).— Mdlle. Pierratte Magon, aged 27, had for three months suffered fiom acute rheumatism in her legs, which prevented her from walking and caused great pain. All the remedies employed in such cases had been useless. The 30th April, 1870, she began a novena to Our Lady of Lourdes. On the Bth of May Pierrette washed her legs with the Grotto water; Instantly, the pains ceased, and the swelling disappeared. Pierrette went up and down the stairs of the house without difficulty. The next day she climbed up the one hundred and eighty (180) steps > of Notre Dame de Fourvieres, where she went to thank the Blessed Virgin for her core. On the 27th July, 1871 (more than a year afterwards), her pious mistresses came to make a pilgrimage to Lourdes, and bore testimony to *Jjpcnre, and to the piety of Pierrette, who has suffered nothing Of course there can be no dispute as to the super* natural character of such a case, admitting the facts: