"A question of life or death!"
Case 2A-107. STONE IN BLADDER. CASE SIMILAR TO THAT OF COL. ELLIOTT F. SHEPARD, WHO DIED IN NEW YORK WHILE UNDERGOING AN OPERATION.
Gentlemen—I am seventy-seven years of age and have resided in Erie for sixty-two years, and for thirty-six years have been an elder in the First Presbyterian Church. During four or five years I suffered from a painful affection of the bladder; the severity permitted neither freedom from pain by day nor calm repose by night. Meanwhile, I consulted leading physicians and visited numerous health resorts. Neither time, means nor effort were spared that I might be free from pain. Relief came unexpectedly. A signal act of Providence, that should be acknowledged daily, brought your Institution to my notice, though I had then no acquaintance with any one connected with it. With me it was a question of life or death. Up to last March I was in a condition of unendurable torture. I knew that at my age, after the months of pain already borne, that any operation would be serious, perhaps fatal. Accordingly, I arranged my temporal affairs and carefully "set my house in order." On the 13th of March last, I started for Buffalo to your Institution. Still uninformed as to the cause of my trouble, I submitted to a searching examination, as to my habits, constitution, parentage, the age and cause of death of my parents, and other facts, from which a tolerable biography could have been prepared. All was kindly intended. Their aim was to locate my ailment and then to determine my ability to undergo an operation. Having found a stone in the bladder, they advised that it be crushed and extracted. By a strange coincidence as this was announced, I learned of Col. Elliott F. Shepard's death under an operation for the same disease. He was many years my junior, and seemingly far better able to undergo the operation. Still, in my desperation, I determined to go on. During five days, I was under treatment for the coming operation. On the 18th of March the stone was crushed and extracted. It was a complete success. Of the consideration, tenderness and skill of the surgeon and his assistants, I cannot too strongly speak. Of the gentle and assiduous nurses, the system and completeness of the whole establishment, as it moved along as one harmonious whole, in all its departments, I cannot sufficiently express my admiration. I am now relieved of a state of torture, and restored to health and happiness equal to any period of my life. This I say with sincerity and emphasis. Since then I have gained twenty-two pounds in flesh. I wish my words could reach the ear of every one similarly affected, throughout our land, to banish all doubts and take advantage of the science, skill and pleasant surroundings so happily blended in your Institution, for the removal of pain and the mitigation of distress.
DAVID S. CLARK, Erie, Pa.
Case 520,123. STONE IN BLADDER. 1200 GRAINS OF STONE REMOVED WITHOUT CUTTING. PASSED BLOOD IN GREAT QUANTITIES FROM THE BLADDER. DOCTORS AT HOME (AS USUAL) DISCOURAGED HIM FROM COMING TO US.
WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION:
Gentlemen—I am glad to make public the wonderful cure that you accomplished in my case. For ten years I was a sick man, and during three years I suffered so much that life was a burden. My business had to be given up and the torments were something that could not be described. Every little while I had to urinate, and each time suffered a spasm of pain, like a knife thrust; the use of a catheter was painful and often it took long and painful trials before the water could be drawn off. I passed blood, in quantities at times. When I went to your place we had given up hope of a cure, and relief was all that I looked for. My doctors at home discouraged me. I spent four weeks in your Invalids' Hotel, and now at the age of sixty-seven years am sound and hearty as any one, work from five in the morning until seven at night. I manage a large and active business and enjoy life. I cannot express my high praise of your Institution. Your doctors are skillful and the nurses all kind and good. All understand their business and attend to it. I came home a new man and cannot say enough for your praise, and to express my thanks for the wonderful cure and comfort I have enjoyed.
Yours,
JAMBS VINE, SR.