"YOUR LIFE IS NOT WORTH A STRAW."

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 15, 10 August 1894, Page 15

"YOUR LIFE IS NOT WORTH A STRAW."

Not worth a straw, eh 1 Then it was worth just nothing— nothing at all. Who has not used that comparison a thousand times to express absolute wortblessnesß 7 Aatraw ? The wind blows it away, fire burns it np, cattle tread it in the mud, it rots by the roadside. What of it 7 Who cares for a straw 7

Yet this is exactly what a doctor recently said to one of his patients, " Your life is not worth a straw " Hjw much is a doctor worth who will Gpeak bo t > one that trusts him, and has no hope but in his skill 7 For my part, if he were up for sale at auction, I would bid one straw for him— no more. Even if what he said was true, he had no right to say it. Such a doctor is more likely to kill with his tongue than to cure with his drugs. A woman tells the story, and she tells it well. If it doesn't sound like the truth, then I don't know what ever does. Th« dates and tbe facts are all there, plain and orderly.

" In the summer of 1878," she says, " I found myself feeling tired languid, low-spirited, and weak. I felt as if some evil were about to happen. My appetite was poor, and after eating I had excruciating pain at my loina and sides. There was a horrible gnawing pain at tbe pit of my stomacb, and a rising in the throat as if I should choke. My head felt as though I had a ton weight on it. Gradually I got worse, and for months could take only liquid food. At night I lay awake for hours together.

" Later on I suffered greatly from nervous proßtration. My legs trembled and shook so I feared to fall. If a knock came io the door I trembled from bead to foot. I had frtquent attacks which began with palpitation of the heart aod sudden stoppage of ibe breath. At these times I was speechless and helpless. They sny I looked like a corpse, cold and bloodies?, my finger-nails and lips having turned black. After a while this would pas-i off, leaving me weak and prostrate. I got so emaciated and thin that I was only a hag of bones, and so weak 1 had to take hold of tr,e furniture to steady aijself as I crossed the room. As time went on the nervousness and forebodings of evil so increased that I feared I should go out of my mind. Tbe neighbours said it would be a mercy if the Lord would release me from my sufferings.

" Id this condition I continued for over four years, during which time I consulted live doctors, but nothing thay gave roe di 1 any good. They all said my ailment was heart disease, and one said, ' Your life is not worth a straw.''

" In despair I gave up taking physic, as I felt that nothing would save me. In May, 1882, ten years ago, a lady (Mrs Richardson) called at my house, told me of Mother tieigel's Curative Syrup, and strongly advised me to try it. I did s ', and felt somewhat better aftet the first bottle ; and by the time I had taken three bo ties 1 waa completely cured. From that to this I have had no return of the attacks, and am so strong I can do any kind ot work. But for Seigel'B Syrup I should have been in my grave long ago. I wish others to know this, and will answer any who call or write." (Signed) Emma Wickendbn (wife of William Wickenden, gardener), Pembroke Villas, 123 Moffat Boad, Thornton Heath, March 17ch 1892.

So it turned out that her life was not only worth a straw, but worth a whole golden harvest of health and better (days. Yet no thankß to the doctors. Her comphented symptoms puzzled and alaatned them, to be sure, but why 1 Is it iiot the doctors' daty to understand such things? Most assuredly. Just as a lawyer Bhould know the law, or a pilot the rockt, tides, and lights of a coast. Had some of these medical men known that ftlra Wickenden'e malady was indigestion and dyspepsia, and not heart decease, they might possibly have relieved her. But, coufuKei by the symptomp, they were blind to the cause. We may well wonder if there aie many such doctors in England. Cases like this show that the clear sight belonged to Mother Seigel ; and to her remedy hosts of people in this coDntry are indebted for physical salvation when, in very truth, their lives Eecmed as straws.

Bemember this was ten years ago, and the malady has not re* turned, showiog that the cure wai a permanent one.