Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-07-12
FIFTY-SIX YEARS AN INVALID

FlFTY-SIX YEARS AN INVALID
One Of the Most Singular Instances Of tn,
Ao1i11y OF tho Human Body to Bear Ill
Life.
From the Boston Globe.
Miss Ruth w. Burgess, who died il
plymouth on Saturday at the age oil
s1xty-four years, began to be afflicted
when about eight years of age by hay.
ing tits or commissions, and finally a
paralysis of the right Eye. Soon after
this she was afflicted with dropsy, and
her cure of the disease has somewhat
remarkable incident. Her brother being
IN Demarra, consulted French physi.
clan In regard to her who gave him some
medicine that affected cure. Upon
being investigated, it proved to be can.
nabls, or Indian hemp, which from that
time has been used by the faculty here
With great success in cases of dropsy.
Soon after this she recovered the use of
her eye, but lost her eyesight entirely
for sometime, and has had only partial
sight since. Soon after this her health
improved materially SO that she was
able to walk across the room, bnt in a
short time she began to have spasms or
commissions of the most painful char
acter upon her left side. Her left leg
would be drawn back and twisted until
the sole of her foot would rest upon her
right shoulder. This was gradually
brought back, but had to be tied in
order to keep it in its place, and from
that time until her death had generally
to be secured, 1t is now about twenty
years since this has been necessary.
After this contraction of the organs of
the throat came on, SO that she was I'M
able to swallow. A set Of instruments
was made in Boston under the direction
of her physician by which the constric-
ton was partially removed, SO that
seml-lquid substances could be forced
down her throat with an instrument
made tor that purpose, and she never
after was able to swallow any but very
soft substances. Indications of con-
sumption now showed themselves, and
she soon presented the appearance of
a person in the last stages of this dis
ease, SO much SO that her physician on
going off for a few weeks told her
mother that he should probably never
see her again.
Yet, wonderful to tell, she recovered
entirely from this. Then began to
have assesses of the liver, and her
body was SO swollen that he breast bone
was even with the chin. But a cough
set in, and began to raise matter in
some way almost incredible to physiol-
ogists for about six days, when a
change took place and the discharges
paired off through natural channel.
Her swelling went away and left her
almost skeleton. But she recovered
from this. During these years, and
while undergoing it all, she got the
measles, scarlet fever, small pox and
itch; these diseases went through their
regular course. Has been bedridden
now for more than twenty years, liv-
ing IN this manner, and has survived a
family consisting of father and mother,
four brother and two sisters, all of
whom were of good health and consti-
tuition. During some Of the attacks of
commissions her head and feet would
be drawn backward so they would meet
and remain in one position eighteen
hours. Under all Affections, she bore
up with sweet and patient temper.
For some time she kept little shop,
having shelves put on wall by her
bed and within reach of her right hand,
the only one she was able to use, and
sold little confectionery and small
things. She was very Industrious, al
ways did much fine sewing and dressed
dolls for the children even when unable
to see. For about twelve weeks now
has been gradually failing, and has at
last passed away, and it is said by the
physician in attendance during the
longest part Of her sickness, himself an
old and experienced surgeon, that he
does not believe if there was a post
mortem examination made that any
organic disease would be found, all hor
manifold ills having been functional
and none organic. The case of Miss
Burgess has been one of great interest
to the medical faculty, and she has
been visited by many physicians as a
physiological curiosity.