Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 January 1882 — A REMARKABLE STATEMENT. [ARTICLE]

A REMARKABLE STATEMENT.

The tlnuettal fixperienfce of h Prominent Man Matte Public* The following article from the Democrat and Chronicle, of Rochester) N. Y.j is Of so striking a nature, and emanates from so reliable a source, that it is herewith republished entire. In addition to the valuable matter it contains) it will be found exceedingly interesting : To the Editor of the Democrat and Chronicle: Sib : My motives for the publication of the most unusual statements which follow are, first, gratitude for the fact that I have been sated from a most horrible death, and, secondly, a desire to warn all who read this statement against some of the most deceptive influences by which they have ever been surrounded. It is a fact that to-day thousands of people are within a foot of the grave and they do not know IL To tell how I was caught away from just this position and to warn others against nearing it, are my objects in this communication. On the first day of June, 1881, I lay at my residence in this city, surrounded by my friends and writing for death. Heaven only knows tbe agony 1 then endured, for words can never describe it. And yet if, a few years previous, any one had told me that I was to be brought so low, and by so terrible a disease, I should hava scoffottlM the idea. I had always been uncommonly strong and healthy, ‘had weighed over 200 pounds, and hardly knew, in my own experience, what pain or sickness were. Very many people who will read this statement realize at times that they are unusually tired, and cannot account for it. They feel dull and indefinite pains in various parts of the body, and do not understand it. Or they are exceedingly hungry one day, and entirely without appetite the next This was just the way 1 felt when the relentless malady which had fastened itself upon me first began. Still I thought it was -nothing ; that probably I bad taken a cold which would soon pass away. Shortly after this I noticed a dull, and at times neuralgic, pain in my head, but as it would omc one day and be gone the next, I paid but lidle attention to it. However, my stomach was out of order, and my food often failed to digest, earning, at times," great inconvenience. Yet I had no idea, even as a physician, that these things meant anything serious or that a monstrous disease was becoming fixed upon mo. Candidly, I thought I was suffering from malaria, and so doctored myself accordingly. But I got no better. I next noticed a peculiar color and odor from the fluids I was passing—also that there were large quantities one day and very little the next, and that a persistent froth and scum appeared upon the surface and a sediment settled at the bottom. And yet I did not realize my danger, for, indeed, seeing these symptoms continually, I finally became accustomed to them, and my suspicion was wholly disarmed by the fact that I had no pain in the afflicted organs or in their vicinity. Why I should have been so blind I cannot understand. There is a terrible future for all physical neglect, and impending danger usually brings a person to his senses even though it may then bo too late. I realized, at last, my critical condition and aroused myself to overcome it. And, Oh !howha rd 1 tried! I consulted the bestmiedical skill in the land. I visited all the prominent mineral springs in America and traveled from Mair eto California. Still I grew worse. No two physicians agreed as to my malady. Ono raid 1 was troubled with spinal irritation ; another, nervous prostration ; another, malaria ; another, dyspepsia ; another, heart disease; another, general debility ; another, congestion f the base of the brain ; and so on through a long list of common diseases, tlio symptoms of all of which I really had. In this way several years passed, during ail of which time 1 was steadily growing worse. My condition had really become pitiable. The alight symptoms I at first experienced were developed into terrible and constant disorders—the little twigs of pain had grown to oaks of agony. My weight tiad been reduced from 207 to 130 p muds. My life was a torture to myself and friends. I could retain no food upon my stomach, and lived wholly by injections. 1 was a hying mass of pain. My pulse was uncontrollable. lu my agony I frequently fell upon the floor, convulsively clutched the carpet and prayed for death. Morphine had little nr no effect in deadening the pain. For six days and nights I had the death-premonitory Hiccoughs constantly. My urine was filled with tube casts and albumen. I was struggling with Bright’s Disease of the Kidneys in its last stages.

While suffering thus I received a call from my pastor, the Rev. Dr. Foote, rector of St. Paul’s Church, of this city. I felt that it was our last interview, but in the course of conversation he mentioned a remedy of which I had heard much, but had never used. Dr. Foote detailed to me the many remarkable cures which had come under his observation, by means of this remedy, and urged me to try it. As a practicing physician and a graduate of the schools, I cherished the prejudice both natural and common with all regular practitioners, and derided the idea of any medicine outside the regular channels being the least beneficial. So solicitous, however, was Dr. Foote, that I finally promised I would waive my prejudice and try the remedy he so highly recommended. I began its use on the first day of June and took it according to directions. At first it sickened me; but this I thought was a good sign for one in my debilitated condition. 1 continued to take it; the sickening sensation departed, and I was able to retain food upon my stomach. In a few days I noticed a decided change for the better, as also did my wife and friends. My hiccoughs ceased, and I experienced less pain than formerly. I was so rejoiced at this improved condition that, upon what I had believed but a few days before was my dyingbed, I vowed, in the presence of my family and friends, should I recover I would both publicly and privately make known this remedy for the good of humanity, wherever and whenever I had an opportunity. I also determined that I would give a course of lectures In the Corinthian Academy of Music of this city, stating in full the symptoms and almost hopelessness of my disease, and the remarkable means by which I have been saved. My improvement was constant from that time, and in less than three months I had. gained 26 pounds in flesh, became entirely free from pain, and I believe I owe my life and present condition wholly to Warner’s Safe Kidney and Liver Cure, the remedy which I used. Since my recovery I have thoroughly reinvestigated the subject of kidney difficulties and Bright’s disease, and the truths developed arc astounding. I therefore state deliberately and as a physician that I believe more than onehalf THE DEATHS WHICH OCCUR IN AMERICA ARE caused by Bright s Disease of the Kidneys. This may sound like a rash statement, but I am prepared to fully verify it. Bright’s Disease has no distinctive symptoms of its own (indeed, it often develops without any pain whatever in the kidneys or their vicinity), but has the symptoms of nearly every other known complaint. Hundreds of people die daily, whose burials are authorized by a physician’s certificate of “Heart Disease,” “Apoplexy,’’ “Paralysis,” “Spinal Complaint,” “Rheumatism,” “Pneumonia,” and other common complaints, when in reality it was Bright’s Disease of the Kidneys. Few phyiicians, and fewer people, realize the extent of this disease or its dangerous and insid ous nature. It steals into the system like a thief, manifests its presence by the commonest symptoms, and fastens itself upon the constitution before the victim is aware. It is nearly as hereditary as consumption, quite as common and fully as fatal. Entire families, inheriting it from their ancestors, have died, and yet none of the number knew or realized the mysterious power which was removing them. Instead of common symptoms, it often shows none whatever, but brings death suddenly and as such is usually supposed to be heart disease. As one who has suffered, and knows by bitter experience what he says, I implore every one who reads these words not to neglect the slightest symptomirof Kidney difficulty. Certain agony and possible death will be the sure result of such neglect, and no one can afford to hazard such chances. I am aware that such an unquab’fied statement as this, coming from mo, known as I am throughout the entire land as a practitioner and lecturer, will arouse the surprise and possible animosity <sf the medical profession and astonish'all with whom lam acquainted, but I make the foregoing statements based upon facts which I am prepared to produce and truths which I can substantiate to the letter The welfare of those who may possibly be sufferers such as I was, is an ample inducement for me to take the step I have, and, if I can successfully warn others from the dangerous path in which I once walked, I am willing to endure all professional and personal consequences. J. B. Henion, M. D. Rochester, N. ¥., Dec. 80, 1881.