Montrose – Rev. Wm. R. Thomas, pastor of Zion church, has fitted up a portion of the gallery in the church, and lives there, his small room serving as kitchen, dining room, parlor, and pastor’s study.  He is a bachelor and seems to think the church should be made useful as well as ornamental.  He is one of the most powerful colored preachers that ever struck town, and a great many white people go to hear him. ALSO The last and biggest foot ball game of the season will be held at 3 p.m., Thanksgiving Day, when Montrose will meet their old rivals, St. Patrick’s Academy, of Binghamton, who suffered defeat at our hands last year and are out for blood.  The enemy will bring a crowd of rooters and it is hoped that our team will have a good crowd of backers to support them.

Forest City – Fire was discovered in the Presbyterian church about 8 o’clock Tuesday evening.  The fire, when discovered, was in the basement of the church and it is presumed that the cause was due to an explosion in the stove.  The firemen arrived promptly and by excellent work succeeded in checking the flames but not until considerable damage had been done.  The loss is placed at $1000, with an insurance of $800.

Harford – The next meeting of the Harford Parent-Teachers’ association will be held in the High school building, Dec. 16.  Subject for discussion: “What can be done for the School to help the Children who by Home Training are Rough, Rude and Impudent, to become Gentle, Kind and Polite.”  Also “How Parents Help or Hinder the School.”

South Ararat – Harry Davis had the bad luck to lose one of his good work horses on Monday. It fell dead while plowing.  This is two good horses he has lost within two years. ALSO Charles Hine, of Gelatt, visited friends here one day this week.  He is in his 83rd year and real smart for one of that age.  We are always glad to have him to visit among us, for he is always cheerful.

East New Milford – The 25th Wedding Anniversary celebration at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Whitney was held last Saturday and although the air was cold and the weather a bit stormy, 55 neighbors, friends and relatives were present. After a sumptuous chicken dinner was served, we assembled in the parlor, where singing was indulged in; followed by a recitation by Miss Una Bennett and then a splendid poem by Mrs. May Tingley Benning.  A sum of money was presented to Mr. and Mrs. Whitney and toward sunset the guests departed, all feeling they had spent a pleasant day. AND In the Borough of New Milford, Mrs. Kathleen Blakeslee Ainey, widow of the late Dr. David C. Ainey, died on Nov. 26, 1916.  Deceased was one of the oldest residents of New Milford, where she had lived for over 60 years and was one of the most beloved residents of that place.  Her son, Hon. W. D. B. Ainey, chairman of the Public Service Commission of Pennsylvania, had been called to her bedside a few days previous to her death.  Mrs. Ainey was 79 years old and a descendent on her mother’s side, of Wm. Whipple, of New Hampshire, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.  Her father was Hiram Blakeslee, a pioneer of this county, and her mother was Amanda Whipple.  Two brothers, Drs. E. L. Blakeslee and W. R. Blakeslee, both of Forest City, are deceased.  Another son, Charles H. Ainey and one sister, Miss Florilla Blakeslee, of New Milford, survive her.

Glenwood – T. B. Cameron and family have gone to Binghamton to live for the future.  T. B. has accepted a position as motorman on the street cars. 

Great Bend – Burglars broke into Chas. H. Hamlin’s store in the early hours, Thursday morning, and secured about $100 worth of men’s clothing, besides some pipes, cigarettes and gum.  Entrance was gained by forcing the front doors.  Before making their raid on the store the thieves stole Wm. Newman’s (a farmer of East Great Bend) horse and wagon, which they used to carry away the stolen goods. The wagon was found near the bridge at Hickory Grove, demolished, and one of the overcoats was in it.  The horse was found near Susquehanna.  The thieves were traced as far as Windsor and there the clue was lost. This is the third time within a year that Mr. Hamlin’s store has been robbed.

Ararat – Some folks think that Ararat is the coldest place in the world and the winds blow the hardest and the largest snow banks are to be found there, but give Ararat all the credit it deserves.  A gentleman from Herkimer, NY came to these parts last week and said snow was a foot deep and people were using sleighs altogether—(no such here).

Lynn – A big game supper was held at the home Jacob Ruschmeier, at Lymanville, on Wednesday evening of last week, where about 150 people assembled and gorged themselves on stewed rabbit, fried rabbit and rabbit on toast.  Something over $31.00 was realized out of it, which goes for church purposes.

Fair Hill – Turkeys were bringing a good price.  Some paid over 30 cents per pound.  Rather expensive for Thanksgiving dinner.

North Bridgewater – Quite a snow and cold after our fine weather. ALSO  A former Bridgewater farmer, Martin V. Bisbee, who moved to Montrose a few years ago, died on November 24.  His dignified, gentlemanly demeanor, and kindly disposition, attracted many warm friends and he was held in the highest esteem by a wide acquaintance.  He was born in Lathrop township, April 15th, 1840, being a son of Major Seth Bisbee.   He married Katherine Ainey, July 4, 1859.  Mr. Bisbee served three years in the Civil War, being a member of the 17th Cavalry, Co. B, under Gen. Phil Sheridan and was Color Bearer and Sergeant of his company.

News Brief:  W. P. Shoemaker, factory inspector of this district, is very alert and has his eye on all institutions where women are employed.  On Friday he had a Sayre hotel man and a Towanda landlord before Justice Meredith and both were fined $10 and costs, each, for working women over 9 hours a day and more than 6 days a week. ALSO Overalls for women who do their own work are coming into vogue and are really sensible and not unbecoming.  It is nothing but custom that binds women to the unwieldy and tiresome skirt, which is forever in the way while doing certain kinds of work and if she takes to overalls, the world will soon approve.

200 Years Ago from the Centinel, Montrose, Pa, December 3, 1816.

*Jabez Hyde has been appointed by the Governor as Prothonotary of this County.  That the Governor made a mistake in appointing Jabez Hyde instead of Jabez Hyde Junior, is certain, unless the petition sent in omitted the Junior, which is not very probable.

*Turnpike Notice. The Stockholders of the Bridgewater and Wilkes Barre Turnpike Company are hereby notified that an election will be held at the house of Isaac Slocum in the township of Tunkhannock, on the first Monday of January next for the purpose of choosing a President, Treasurer and Managers for the ensuing year.  Benjamin Perry, Sec’y.

*Turnpike Notice. Notice is hereby given to the Stockholders of the Milford and Owego Turnpike road, that an election for a President, twelve Managers and a Treasurer, will be held at the house of Edward Fuller, in Montrose on the first Monday in January next. B. T. Case, Sec’y.

Sheriff’s Sale. Will be sold at public vendue on the premises of James Finn, in Clifford township on Thursday the 28th inst. one mow of Wheat and one mow of Rye, supposed to contain in the whole 150 bushels—seized & taken in Execution by me.  A. Howell, Sheriff. Nov. 18, 1816.  Postponement. The above Sale is adjourned until Friday the sixth of December inst. at twelve o’clock, (Noon) of said day.  Dec. 3, 1816.

Edward Krishack attended the Milton Hershey School from 1948 through 1953.  The Milton Hershey School provided a free education, room and board for children “from families of low income, limited resources, and social need.”  As with the other children, Krishack lived in a farm house during his years at the Milton Hershey School.  As part of his free educational program, Krishack was also required to perform farm chores, including putting up hay and cleaning out the chicken coop.  The children were required to do chores in the morning before they went to school as well as additional chores after the conclusion of the school day.

After leaving the Milton Hershey School, Krishack lived in several different locations in the United States before settling in Ohio in 1961 where he continued to reside until 2005.  Krishack was interested in racing horses and purchased his first horse in 1969.  He continued to own and work with race horses until 2005.

In 1998, as a result of a worsening case of emphysema, Krishack sought specialized medical treatment.  At that time, Krishack was 61-years old and had a long history of smoking cigarettes at a rate of a pack and a half a day for 40 years.  While undergoing treatment with the pulmonologist, it was discovered that Krishack an old granuloma, which is a stable calcified deposit, in his lung.  The treating physician could not opine as to the cause of this old granuloma.

In 2013, Krishack filed a complaint against the Milton Hershey School contending that his old granuloma was a result of fungus that he acquired while doing his mandatory farm chores 60 years earlier at the Milton Hershey School.  He alleged that the Milton Hershey School failed to provide him with appropriate respiratory protection while he was doing his farm chores and that he thereby acquired the fungus which eventually caused the old granuloma.  Krishack obtained an expert opinion that chicken coops are a potential source for this particular fungus and that the soil at Milton Hershey School must have been contaminated with the fungus.

Without even proceeding to a jury trial, the trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the Milton Hershey School finding that there was no evidence whatsoever to suggest that the fungus ever existed at the Milton Hershey School.  In particular, the evidentiary burden was a significant one – how could Krishack ever demonstrate what the conditions were at the Milton Hershey School between 1948 and 1953.  Krishack had spent the majority of his life working around other farm-related activities with his horse racing interests and investments.  In other words, it was probable that he could have acquired the fungus from the different barns/stables that Krishack worked until 2005.  Krishack’s expert made no attempt to test the current soil conditions at the Milton Hershey School.  Moreover, the expert could not say that all chicken coops – or even a majority of the chicken coops – have the presence of this particular fungus.  In short, the trial court found that any claim against Milton Hershey School was pure speculation.

Krishack appealed the trial court’s decision.  Krishack argued that “simple deductive reasoning and logic” supported the conclusion that he acquired the fungus that caused his old granuloma from the soil at the Milton Hershey School.  The Superior Court strongly rejected Krishack’s argument and found that Krishack’s claim was not based upon “simple deductive reasoning, but instead required impermissible speculation and conjecture.”  Krishack could not satisfy the causation prong of the negligence test, i.e., he could not demonstrate that the farm chores performed at the Milton Hershey School caused his current medical condition.  For this reason, the trial court’s decision was affirmed.

Out with the gout

John, 44, hobbled into the pharmacy in great pain. "Gout again, John?" the pharmacist asked. "Yep, the knuckle on my big toe is inflamed. Feels like a red hot coal." John replied. "This is the third time I've had gout and it's no picnic!"

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by recurrent attacks of a red, tender, hot, and swollen joint. Gout is due to elevated levels of uric acid in the blood. At high levels, uric acid transforms into crystals that deposit in joints, tendons and surrounding tissues, resulting in a painful attack. Gout occurs more commonly in those who eat a lot of red meat, drink a lot of beer, or are overweight. Men, particularly those between ages 40 and 50, are more susceptible to gout than women.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, patients with gout should avoid eating organ meats that are high in purines, a chemical that converts to uric acid crystals in the joints. Examples include sweetbreads, liver, and kidneys. They should also avoid drinking sodas and other beverages that contain high fructose corn syrup, and avoid overusing alcohol, especially beer (no more than 2 servings per day for men or one serving per day for women) because of the yeast in that beverage. Patients should have no alcohol during gout attacks, or if they have advanced gout that is poorly controlled.

If you do have a gout attack and want to achieve complete resolution of symptoms, treatment should begin within 24 hours of symptom onset. Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), NSAIDs (e.g., naproxen, ibuprofen), and colchicine are equally effective in treating acute flares of gout. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are the first-line of treatment. Indomethacin has historically been the preferred NSAID. However, no evidence exists to show that it is more effective than any other NSAID. Also, it can cause stomach problems and requires a prescription unlike other NSAIDs. NSAIDs can be used at the maximum dosage and should be continued for 1 or 2 days after relief of symptoms. Drink plenty of water during this time as well. Treatment of chronic gout may include maintenance prescription medications such as allopurinol (Zyloprim®) or febuxostat (Urolic®).

Pharmacists get asked routinely about whether to put cold or heat on an inflamed joint. Gout symptoms can be alleviated at home by applying ice to affected joints in order to reduce swelling. When icing, always wrap ice in a cloth before using against bare skin, and do not apply for longer than 15 to 20 minutes at a time. For cold therapy, patients can also use frozen bags of vegetables as well as instant cold packs. Patients with gout can obtain relief from using moist heat, such as damp, heated towels or warm showers, or dry heat, including heat lamps and heating pads. Some patients enjoy more relief when they alternate using moist heat and cold.

John decided to try ibuprofen as the pharmacist recommended and to review his diet for foods that are high in purines so he can avoid them. If his gout continues, he should be referred to a rheumatologist..

Ron Gasbarro, PharmD is a registered pharmacist, medical writer, and principal at Rx-Press.com. Visit him at www.rx-press.com.