Gentlemen—It is now about six months since I discontinued your treatment, and as I have had no return of the old symptoms, I consider it unnecessary to take more medicine. When I visited your Institution some two years ago, I had but faint hopes of ever being restored to health, as I was suffering from a complication of diseases. My case was an unusually obstinate one, yet I am satisfied that a cure could have been accomplished in half the time, had I been able to follow your directions in regard to diet more closely. I hereby tender you my sincerest thanks for the kind treatment received while at your Institution. Those days will always be the happiest in my memory. I will close by giving your faculty my sincere thanks, and hope success will crown your business.
Yours very gratefully,
J.F. RITTER,
Medford, Jackson Co., Oreg.
Stricture, the result of injury from falls and accidents, is particularly difficult of permanent cure. The following gratuitous recommendations are from cases belonging to this class who entirely approve of the publication, with full name, photo-gravure and address.
Case 820,507. STRICTURE CURED AFTER MANY OPERATIONS BY OTHER SURGEONS HAD PROVEN TO BE FAILURES.
WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION:
I would state that I am an architect, fifty-two years of age, that about seventeen years ago I fell from a scaffold, a distance of eighteen feet, across a beam, striking upon the perineum. A physician was immediately called and I was treated by him for about eight or ten weeks. A catheter was introduced into the bladder, but caused such intense pain and anguish that it had to be withdrawn. It was tried again but could not be introduced on account of the lacerations in the urethra, caused by the violence used. A consultation was held and an operation recommended. An anæsthetic was used and a cut made through the perineum from the outside into the bladder. A catheter was inserted into the bladder, tied in place and left in position for about eight weeks. After eight or nine weeks the catheter was removed, but it was four or five weeks before the wound in the perineum healed. After a few months I began to have a urinary difficulty, and symptoms of urethral stricture. This condition continued until the urethra was entirely closed, and it was impossible to make water. A physician attempted to pass a catheter, but could not do so. He continued to treat me by the process of dilation for five or six months. I began to feel more comfortable, but the symptoms of stricture would manifest themselves again. I then went to a hospital at Toronto. There I was treated also by the dilating method. The treatment was continued for about four weeks, but became so very painful, and there was so much irritation in the urethra, that it was impossible to endure it longer. They then called an electrical specialist and he began treatment by electrolysis. In about three weeks I went home, but in a short time the stricture again manifested itself; the contraction was very marked, and micturition very difficult. It grew gradually worse and I could not receive any comfort or benefit. I returned to Toronto to take further treatment from the electrical specialist. During the operations of dilation of the urethra, I passed some gravel. After four weeks treatment I returned home, but in about two months was as bad as ever, and last October went back to Toronto and was again treated by the electrical method. The doctor had much difficulty in inserting the smallest catheter, and it caused intense pain and suffering. The last time he attempted to insert a catheter, there seemed to be something give way, and a large amount of pus and fluid passed from the rectum. The physician told me an abscess had formed. I returned home and tried to keep as comfortable as possible, but could not micturate with any degree of satisfaction or comfort. I gradually began to grow worse and there was a return of the stricture with inflammation of the bladder. In March, 1892, there began to be formed gravel in the bladder. They would at times obstruct the flow of urine entirely. I kept going from bad to worse, until the urethra appeared to be entirely closed. The physician I called found it impossible to pass a catheter Into the bladder, and advised me to go to some hospital where I could receive proper treatment, and where proper appliances for this class of cases were used, as he felt satisfied nothing could be accomplished for me at home. I then came to the Invalids' Hotel and Surgical Institute in Buffalo to receive treatment, and the treatment has been so successful that the urethral stricture as well as the gravel have been removed. After I returned home I felt as if a great load had been lifted from my shoulders. I have no irritation at all as I used to have, and I can keep my water for six or seven hours without any trouble, and the water seems to be clear and free from sediment of any sort, and in general I feel as I never expected to again. The doctors here were dumb-founded at the short time I was in getting fixed at your Institution, and feel ashamed to ask any questions as to treatment. Many months have passed and I continue well and active in my profession. Any one I can send the way of your Institution you may be sure I shall do so, and thanking you personally for your kind and successful treatment of my case,
I remain ever your well-wisher,
ARCHIE RITCHIE, Architect,
Mount Forest, Ont.
GRATEFUL LETTER FROM A PROMINENT ARCHITECT.
TO THE WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: