The last of September, I had to give up work almost entirely. I got so that I could not walk one-fourth of a mile without being completely exhausted. One physician whom I consulted said I was suffering with nervous prostration and gave me medicine for it, but I got no better. My food distressed me terribly and after eating, it would sour and I would have to vomit up the most that I had eaten. At last, I got so I had to live on bread made of wheat middlings and for about three months I could not eat anything else, although it seemed as though I should starve to death. I thought I would give anything if I could eat a hearty meal of anything that I wanted, but did not dare to because every kind of food distressed me so. My bowels became badly constipated and for three months I did not have a natural operation of the bowels; and I suffered very much with catarrh, and there was such a pressure across my forehead that it seemed sometimes as though it would burst. I became very despondent. I did not want to go anywhere, neither did I want to see any one, everything looked dark and gloomy to me. When well, I was naturally or a lively disposition and a great hand to joke with my friends, but no one could say anything funny enough to get a smile out of me then. I was always very fond of music too, but I could not bear to hear a bit of music, neither vocal nor instrumental. About the first of February, 1893, some of my friends prevailed upon me to consult a physician who made a specialty of treating chronic nervous troubles; he said I had no organic trouble of the heart and that it was caused by my stomach being out of order; he said that I had a bad kidney trouble and that my spine was affected, and that unless I got help it would end in "Locomotor Ataxia." He said he could help me but it would probably take a year to cure me. He let me have a month's treatment and gave me advice in regard to diet, etc. I thought for awhile that it was helping me but soon I began to go down hill again, and as a last resort I began to take some of the cure-alls (patent) with which the country is flooded; but I soon became disgusted with them and made up my mind there was no help for me. I had to use about all the strength I had to walk; I could not lift my left foot up to step over anything—had to draw it after me; I could hardly sleep; neither could I transact any business, in fact I did not take any interest in any of my affairs. It seemed to me as though I did not have a friend on earth, and I longed for death to come to put me out of my misery.
My son, with whom I was living, had been trying for a long time to get me to send to you for treatment, but I had paid out so much money and received no benefit from it, that I did not believe there was any help for me.
At last I thought I would write you what I could of my symptoms, and get your opinion of my case, but it took me about two days to write the letter. My head felt so bad that I could not collect myself enough to describe my feelings. You wrote me that my trouble was caused by indigestion, dyspepsia, catarrh, and spinal affection, and that you could cure me, and in fact, make a new man of me if I would send for your special treatment and follow your advice. My son sent for the medicine for me. I took it and followed your directions as near as I could; the first week I could not see much of any change—the second week I could see that I was improving some, the third week I could look back and see that I had gained considerable. I could sleep better; the bloating in my bowels did not trouble me so bad; my stomach did not distress me so much and I could eat different kinds of food and my digestion seemed to be improving fast; and by using your Special Catarrh Remedy my nose began to run (it had been nearly six months that my nose was perfectly dry) and one day it felt as though something gave way in my head—it seemed to be back, in behind my eyes, and I blowed a large amount of filth out of my head that looked like the yolk of an egg, and it was nearly as thick as jelly; after that my head began to improve rapidly and I began to gain in flesh and strength, and the best of all is, I have kept right on gaining until at the present time I feel as well as I ever did in my life. Sleep well, can eat three hearty meals every day and digest them too, and eat anything I want, and seven days in a week.
To look back now I don't see why I did not apply to you when I was first taken sick. For about ten years ago. I had treatment of you for catarrh, liver and kidney trouble, and you helped me then; also, about eight years ago my wife had two months' treatment from you which helped her of the troubles from which she was suffering at that time. All the reasons that I can give, is, that owing to financial troubles and having to pay out so much for sickness, I could not seem to get the money (that I could spare) to pay for the treatment.
Gentlemen, I wish I could express my thanks to you for what you have done for me, but I cannot do it. I am a poor hand to express myself, but I consider my restoration to health almost a miracle, and I firmly believe that I owe my life to you, for I do not believe that I should have lived till the present time had it not been for your Special Treatment. Now, if there is any part of this letter that you would wish to publish, you are at liberty to do so: and if it would be the means of directing any suffering fellow being to a place where they can get relief, I shall be very thankful.
Respectfully,
C.M. NILES,
East New Portland, Somerset Co., Maine.
CATARRH, INDIGESTION, AND NERVOUSNESS.
WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Buffalo, N.Y.:
Gentlemen—For a long time I was suffering from indigestion, catarrh and nervousness. I was so run down that I could not go to school, and, as the various remedies I tried did me no good, I applied to you, and was advised to try a course of special treatment. After taking only two months' medicines from your noble institution, I feel perfectly restored to health. I have, moreover, recovered my lost flesh, and I am pleased to say need no further medicines.