Connecticut western news., 1874-09-18
PECULIAR CASE OF LOCKJAW.
LabOring Man Suddenly Stricken DOwn--NO Apparent Origin of the Disease.

A Laboring Man Suddenly Stricken Down--NO Apparent Origin of the Disease.
 The disease of 1ockjaw is common
 enough in the practice of nearly every
 physician, but the following case is SC
 peculiar in it's main features that re.
 cital of the circumstances will be found
 of more than ordinary interest: Hein.
 rich Ellenberger, of New York city, 8
 carpenter by trade, while at home for
 his dinner at noon, noticed that it was l only with difficulty he could open his mouth to masticate his food. He
 thought nothing of it at the time and
 finished the meal. In the evening, after
 the conclusion of his days labor, he tried to eat some soup, but found it inn possible to insert the spoon in his mouth. The soup was poured into a cup finally, and he succeeded in swal- lowing it, but he was unable to eat meat or any solid food. All night long he suffered from shooting pains and oc- casional convulsions, but it was not thought necessary to summon physi- sician. By noon of the next day the pain and the difficulty in eating had increased to such an extent that he was sent to St. Francis Hospital. During all of this time he had not lost con- sciousness, and on his arrival at the hospital he stated to the physician in attendance that he could not remember having been cut or hurt at any time, not even in the slightest degree. A careful examination was made, but not 8 mark of any kind could be found to which the origin of the disease could be traced. This fact, as well as the acute and sudden manner of the attack, with out any premonitory symptoms what ever, constitute the peculiar features of the case.
 Pirogef, the eminent Russian sur geon who accompanied the Russian army through the Crimean war, men, tions only eight cases in all his prac- tice. Larrey, surgeon to Napoleon l., who accompanied the Emperor through all of the Napoleonic campaigns, men, tions several cases parallel to the above, but they did not all come under his personal observation. Indeed, so rare- ly does case of this kind occur that in all the hospitals of New York, where thousands of patients are constantly being treated, it is not once in year that case like the above is developed. When 8 reporter visited the hospital the patient was lying on his cot, his wife being in attendance. The muscles of his face, particularly those used in masticating food, were stiff and hard, as were also the muscles of the back and abdomen. At the request of the physician he endeavored to open his mouth, but the effort caused a spasm which seemed to make his whole frame vibrate. His body and limbs were rigid, so much so that in lifting him it was like raising log of wood. One or two of his lower teeth have been frac- tured, and through this orifce a tube is inserted and liquid nourishment ad- ministered. The treatment adopted is warm baths, in which the patient re- mains an hour. Chloroform is then administered, aud under it's influence the muscles relax. His condition IS considered dangerous, but not hope less. The unfortunate man has wife and five children dependent upon him. He is said to be strictly sober and in- dustrious, and has always enjoyed the best of health.