POISONED FROM HEAD TO FOOT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 17, 3 September 1897, Page 27

POISONED FROM HEAD TO FOOT.

We call particular attention to the subjoined statement. No incident of its kind, of equal interest and importance, has occurred of late years. A declaration so startling in its general scope, and bo full of corroborative detail, certainly warrants the conclusion that a new epoch in the healing art has dawned upon us. Aside from the force which it assumes, the facts, as alleged, rest upon the results of a thorough and careful investigation.

(Copy.) I, George Lack, of 123, Stamford street, Waterloo Road, London do solemnly and sincerely declare as follows : '

" I was always a strong healthy man up to April, 1876. At this time, whilst engaged at the Stamford street Embroidery Works cleaning out a tank which had been used for dyeing purposes, I slipped and fell in the tank (which was covered with verdigris") cutting both my elbows. The parts soon became swollen, and in a week' 3 time the flesh was putrid, as if gangrene had set in, My system seemed to be poisoned, and I began to lose strength rapidly for my appetite left me and I could not bear the sight of food what little I did eat lay on my chest like lead. I went to the Royal Free Hospital, Gray's Inn Road, where I was under treatment for five weeks, but I got worse. After this I got an order and went into the Lambeth Infirmary, where I was placed in No. 11 Ward. At this time my condition had become serious, for I felt so sick and faint that I could scarcely move, and, after a time, I got so bad that I could only get up for an hour or two each day. Later large abscesses formed on my shoulder and gradually spread over my face and the upper part of my body. My face was completely covered with the abscesses, which, on healing, left deep marks, that I bear to this day. After this I had swelling around the joints, and large abscesses formed in the calf of my leg, and I had also running wounds extending from the top of my ankle to the bottom of my feet. An offensive discharge of matter came from the parts, and it seemed as if the abscesses were drawing the life out of me. I was now in a hopeless, helpless state, and felt that I did not care how soon my end came. For days^nd days I never closed my eyes, and on one occasion I had but little sleep for eighteen days and nights together, the doctor's sleeping draughts having no effect upon me. When I did at length fall asleep I slept from Thursday to Sunday afternoon. From all the doctor's medicines and applications I only got temporary relief. On one occasion the doctor said that I could not live throughout the day. The nurses placed a screen round my bed, expecting that I should die during the day, and my brother was sent for. When the doctor called that night he was surprised to find me alive. However, I took a turn for the better, but for months afterwards I was, as it were, on the brink of the grave. I had to be lifted in and out of bed, and was fed on slops and light food, Sometimes better, and at other times worse, I continued in this wretched state for orrr FIVE years, during wh L'h time I remained in the hospital. In August, ISM, I became tired of being in the hospital, and was carried to my house. I was so weak and emaciated that J got a pair of crutches to help me to hobble about the house. ?Iy father and friends who paw me were shocked at my feeble and emaciated appearance, and thought I was not long for this world. 1 lingered on in the same wretched state for two more years' expecting and wishing that 1 should soon be out of my misery. In November, ISS.'{, after suffering over m-ren years, my father bought me a bottle of medicine called Mother Seig'el's Curative Syrup, and poi-uaded melo try it, si.ymg that it had been of great "benefit to him. After 1 had taken halt the contents of a bottle, I felt brighter and in better spirits than I had been in for years. My appetite improved, and by continuing with the medicine my legs began to heal, and I got stronger and stronger. In le«s than three months I was able to put aside my crutches and walk with the aid of a stick. Alter I had taken Mother Seigel's Curative Syrup six months I was back at my work, as strong as ever i was in my life, and have since kept in the best of health. I wish the particulars of my case known to other sufferers, and the Proprietors have my consent to make what use they like of this statement. And 1 make this solemn de laration, conscientiously believing the same to be true. By virtue oi the provisions of the Statutory Declaration Act, 1835 (Will IV c l>2). (Signed) '• George Lack." Declared at No. 1(5, Godliman street, Doctor's Commons, in the City ;of London, this Kith day of April. IcJ'JIJ, be tore me, (Signed) George H. Brooks, a Commissioner for oaths. Here we have a case of profound and persuasive blood poisoning. Verdigris (chemically the bibasic acetate of copper) is, when introduced into the circulation, a slow poison, for wnich no positive antidote is known. There is no doubt that the physicians in the hospitals did all that could be done, with the knowledge and resources at their command. Unhappily their treatment at best, was only mildly palliative ; the poison continued its deadly work) until it saturated the poor fellow's entire system and perverted all its functions. What but an ultimately fatal result could have been reasonably expected ? Mr. Lack's final and perfect recovery, through the use of Seigel's Syrup, illustrates beyond the need of comment the unprecedented power of that well-known remedy to renew the digestion, stimulate the secretory organs, and thus to purify the blood. In common with all who shall read the details of this case, we most keenly regret that Seigcl's Syrup was not taken immediately after the results of the accident first appeared.