"1 gnats, be obliged if you can answer me one question," said my friend Bates, as he Tay on the couch one day in my room nursing his aching leg,' Why does exposure to wet or cold bring on an attack of rheumatism at one time, when a like exposure for a score of times leads to no such result.
Before I set down in writing the answer I gave him I wish you would read the following letters, as no doubt the authors of them will be interested in the same point.
"In November, 1892," says the one, had_an attack of rheumatic fever, and was confined to my bed for four weeks, during which time I suffered fearfully. I had awful pains all over me; my joints swelled up, and T'was 80 helpless I could not raise my hand tomy mouth. After the fever left me I was extremely weak, and s0 emaciated I was little more than skin and bone, A large lump, the size of an egg, formed on my elbow, and my fingers were almost drawn out of joint. I cannot describe the suffering I had to bear. The doctor ordered me various medicines, and cod liver oil, but they had no effect. February, 1893, I read in a small book about the remarkable success which had followed the use of Mother Seigel's Syrup in cases of rheumatism, and got a bottle from Messrs, Leverett and Fry, High Street. After taking it two weeks I was better, and in about a month more all rheumatic pains had left me, and I was strong und well as ever. You may publish what I have said. (Signed) John Kent, 9, Randall Street, Maidstone, Kent, January 30th, 1895."
"For many years," says the other, '+I had been subject to liver complaint and' indigestion, Iwas habitually heavy, work, and weary. My appetite was poor, and all food me pain and fulness at the chest and Around the sides. I had so mach pain and tightness of the chest that I could not endure the pressure of my clothing upon it. Although not laid up, I was seldom free from pain or sense of discomfort. In the summer of 1893 began to suffer with rheumatism, which affected my arms and shoulders until Thad not the power to lift my hand to my head.
tried all sorts of liniments, embrocations, and rubbing oils, but got n0 benefit from any of them.
"In August, 1893, my friend, Mrs. Owen, told me how much good Mother Seigel's Syrup had done her for rheumatism, and I bottle from the Drug Stores in St.
un's Road, In a few days I was much better, and io less than a month afterwards all pain had left me; and I am happy to say Thavenever had any return of the rheumatism since, but have enjoyed the best of health in every respect. In common thankfulness for my speedy and wonderful deliverance, I willingly consent to the publication of this hurried statement should you wish to make that use-of it. (Signed) (Mrs.) L. S. Cole, 6, Albert Road, South Tottenham, London, August 16th, 1895."
Before answering the question of my friend Bates (who was " chronic rhemratie) I asked him one: Why does a lighted match, Aropped into the road, die out harmlessly, but when dropped into a hayrick, set up a conflagration "Any fool can answer that," he said. "Because in the one cage there is nothing for the fire to catch hold of, while in the other-there is. digestion and liver complaint (the second consequent on the first) continue. to produce a virulent poison in the blued called uric acid, yea insoluble in water. This acid' which is a solid. enters the tissues, and sets going a hot inflammatory fire. That is rheumatism. Tt does what a sliver would only the acid is a poison sliver.
Shen the indigestion and the liver trouble are not very bad, avd the kidneys and sweat glands of the skin are acting fairly well, this acid is carried out of the body about as fast as it is formed. Exposure tien brings on no rheumatism. But, per contra, when the stomach and liver are in bad condition, the acid forms faster than the kidneys and skin can carry it off. Then expose yourself, got cold or wet, hamper the skin and kidneys still more, and' the poison acid spreads through your muscles and joints like the fire in the dry hay. You understand? Very well. The longer the cause persists the more frequent the theumatie attacks. That is why chronic dyspeptics are apt also to be chronic rheumaties. Fend off dyspepsia, or cure it by the use of Mother Seigel's Syrup, and yon and the rheumatism will have no dealings. Neglect it, and suffer every time you catch cold."
That was my answer to Bates, and he said there seemed to be sense in it, (8) 2Gja, 3 & 10jy 175,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.