A Letter by H. F. PHELPS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 6, 1907

A Letter

By H. F. PHELPS

As I read in the REVIEW of the death of Dr. George, our dear missionary to Turkey, it made me anxious to tell what the Lord has done and is doing for me. I have been holding the dread disease, tuberculosis, at bay by the use of hydrotherapeutic remedies. At this writing there is every prospect of complete victory over this enemy of our race.

For a number of years I have been a sufferer from chronic bronchitis. I found that the poultice effects of prolonged heat by the use of the hot-water bottle helped me to breathe easier. This was three years ago last fall, and all winter I depended on the dry heat, as I could not use the compress with the bottle without chill. I put it on my chest when I retired, and kept it there, sleeping sweetly till I awoke, sometimes as late as two o'clock in the morning.

But the disease advanced till the lower part of my left lung was affected, and the disease was then pronounced tuberculosis. About one year ago this month, there were hemorrhages from this lung, four times, caused, as the doctor said, by ulcers. But I persisted in the treatment, because of the relief, also with the hope of ultimate success. At that time the Northwestern Union Conference was in session in this city. I was in a very feeble condition, and could attend the forenoon meetings only. One forenoon, in an upper room where some of our dear laborers had been invited, we prayed for the Lord's continued blessing upon the treatment, and claimed the promise: “They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

During the past summer I have used the compress with the hot-water bottle. Most of the time during the three years, I have taken a treatment of an hour or more in the middle of the day, and during the last eight months, in the morning as well. By careful estimate I conclude that I have taken as many as seventeen hundred treatments — dry heat during all the cold weather months, except the midday treatment, and moist heat by aid of the compress during the warm months. To this has been added the full hot bath occasionally, and the cool dry towel rub every morning, with a wet towel rub as frequently as twice a week.

At this date, March 3, 1907, every symptom of the disease is gone except in the one original spot on the bronchi. And, thanks to Him who healeth all our diseases, this is giving way to the treatment. I can eat better, breathe easier, and am gaining in flesh. For the encouragement of those younger in years, I will say that I am in my sixty-eighth year. And I feel to say that if my experience shall be of any help to others, my sufferings with this trouble and labors in overcoming it will not have been in vain.

H. F. PHELPS.

Minneapolis, Minn.