Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 January 1884 — HYPOCHONDRIA. [ARTICLE]

HYPOCHONDRIA.

The Mysterious Element in the Mind that Arouses Vague Apprehensions— What Actually Causes It. The narrativei below, by a prominent scientist, touches a subject of universal importance; Few people are free from the distressing evils which hypochondria brings. They cv-ie at all times and are fed by the very flame which they themselves start. They are a dread of coming derangement caused by present disorder, and bring about more suicides than any other one-thing. Their first approach should be carefully guarded. Editors Heral: It is seldom I appear in print, and I should not do so now did I not believe myself in possession of truths, the revelation of which will prdve of inestimable value to many who may see these lines. Mine has been a trying experience. For many years I was conscious of a lack of 1 a want of nerve tone. My mind seemed sluggish, and 1 felt a certain falling off in my natural condition of intellectual acuteness, activity and vigor. I presume this is the same way in which an innumerable number of other people feel, who, like my-. self, are physically below par; but, like thousands of others, I paid no attention to these annoying troubles, attributing them to overwork, and resorting to a giaal of beer or a milk punch, which would for the time invigorate and relieve my weariness. After awhile the stimulants commenced to disagree with my stomach, my weariness increased, and I was compelled to resort to other means to find relief. If a physician is suffering he invariably calls another physician to prescribe for him, as he cannot see himself as he sees others; so I called a physician and he advised me to try a little chemieal food, 0.~ a bottie of hypophosphates. I took two or three bottles of the chemical food with no apparent benefit. My lassitude and indisposition seemed to increase, my food distressed me. I suffered from neuralgic pains in different parts of my body, my muscles became Sore, my bowels were constipated, and my prospects for recovery were not very flattering. 1 stated my case to another physician, and he advised me to take five to ten drops of Magende’s solution of morphine, two or three times a day, for the weakness and distress in my stomach, and a blue pill every other night to relieve the constipation. The morphine produced such a deathly nausea that I could not take it, and the blue pill failed to relieve my constipation. In this condition I passed nearly a year, wholly unfit for business, while the effort to think was irksome and painful. My blood became impoverished, and I suffered from incapacity, with an appalling sense of misery and general apprehension of coming evil. • I passed sleepless nights and was troubled with irregular action of the heart, a constantly feverish condition and the most excruciating tprtures in my stomach, living for days on rice water and gruel, and, indeed, the digestive functions-seemed to be entirely des.royed. It was natural that while in this condition I should become hypochondriacal, and fearful suggestions of self-destruction occasionally presented themselves. I experienced an insatiable desire for sleep, but op retiring would lie awake for a long time tormented with troubled reflections, and when at last I did fall into an uneasy slumber of short duration, it was disturbed by horrid dreams. In this condition I determined to take a trip to Europe, but in spite of all the attentions of physicians and change of, scene and climate, I did not improve and so returned home with no earthly hope of ever again being able to leave the house. Among the numerous friends that called on nie was one who had been afflicted-somewhat similarly to myself, but who had been restored to perfect health. Upon his earnest recommendation I began the same treatment he had employed, but with little hope of being benefited. At first I experienced little, if gny, relief, except that it did not distress my stomach as other remedies or even food had done. I continued its use, however, and after the third bottle could see a marked change for the better, and now after the fifteenth bottle I am happy to state that I am again able to attend to my professional duties. I sleep well, nothing distresses me that I eat, I go from day to day w ithout a feeling of weariness or pain; indeed I am a well man, and wholly through the Influence of H. H. Warner & Co.’s Tippecanoe. I consider this remedy as taking the highest possible rank in the treatment of all diseases marked by debility, loss of appetite, and all other symptoms of stomach and digestive disorders. It is overwhelmingly superior to the tonics, bitters, and dyspepsia cures of the day, and is certain to be so acknowledged by the public universally; Thousands of people to-day are going to premature graves with these serious diseases, that I have above described, and to all such I would say: “Do not let your good judgment be governed by your prejudices, but give the above-named remedy a fair and patient trial, and I believe you will not only be rewarded by a perfect restoration to health, but you will also be convinced that the medical profession does not possess all the knowledge there is embraced in medical science.” A. G. Richards, M. D., 403 Tremont street, Boston, Mass.