Takes you as cramp

Takes you as cramp
 

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2347/2347-h/2347-h.htm
"Yes, I will help you. I'll help you to understand just where you are and how you got there. I'd like you to know before you die."

"Give me something to ease my pain."

"Painful, is it? Yes, the coolies used to do some squealing towards the end. Takes you as cramp, I fancy."
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Dictionaries say CRAMP is a sudden pain; but if TAKES is a third person singular, then what is the omitted subject? Does the sentence mean people would consider squealing stems from cramp, rather than from the deadly disease mentioned?