Morning journal and courier., 1880-11-30
NEW YORh.
A Case of CataIepsy-A Rare and Peculiar

Case of CntaIepsy-A Rare and Peculiar
 Disease.
 NEW YORK, Nov. 29.-A woman named Kate Armstrong, forty-seven years old, widow from Brooklyn, was given shelter in St. Barnabas Home in Mulberry street last evening. This morning she refused food and would not speak. She was in a trance and Police Surgeon Dorn found her suffering from well developed symptoms of catalepsy, very rare disease, the curious feature of which is that the laws of gravitation as ap piled to the limbs of the body appear during it's continuance to be suspended as well as voluntary action of the muscles. In what ever position an arm or leg is placed there it remains extended, bent cramped the cease may be, utterly regardless of the diff . culty with which the position might be main tained of person in possession of his senses. The patient can neither speak nor take food and has been known to remain in this condition for a month more. The special danger of the disease is that of starvation and food must be introduced into the stomach through tubes In the case of Mrs. Armstrong all the symptoms were fully developed. Her eyes were open and her pinched features contracted in scowl. She seemed to be entirely conscious, but sudden ly deprived of all command over her senses. When set upon her feet she remained stand ing like statue in the position in which she had been placed. Her eyes were fixed upon the person toward whom her head had been turned with an intense gaze that was utterly destitute of will but not of intelligence. She was removed to the St. Vincent Hospital. Her case will doubtless excite much interest in the medical profession.
 A Rough Passage-Ocean Experience Of
 the ExiIed Socialists.
 NEW YORK, Nov. 29.-The steamer Silesia, of the Hamburg line, arrived at her pier this morning after a seventeen days trip from Havre. Her log shows that she encountered very stormy weather and at times the ship was threatened with destruction. Terrific waves rolled up before her, through which she plunged with deafening roar, throwing of volumes of water that swept her. It was extremely dangerous on the bridge, and the officers pursued their duties under circum stances that called for the constant display of daring and courage. The worst day of the trip was the 23d, last Tuesday. The ship made only seventy-five miles. The wind came out of the north a perfect hurricane with tremendous seas The ship seemed like a flea then, but behaved admirably. At times
 
 away up beyond the top yards The cold was intense. This tempest continued all through the next day, but at times not quite 50 severe and the ship increased her mileage to 115 for the day. On the 27th the first fine weather was experienced. The Silesia brought over thirty socialists in the steerage. They presented somewhat dilapidated appear ance but were easily distinguished by piece of bright red cloth which they wore in the buttonhole of their coats and the women and children had one attached to their dress es. They were very reticent in their replies to questions one of the party being on guard as it were to prevent any of them saying too much. One said they were only expelled from Hamburg but knew it was useless go- ing to any other port in Germany, and the present party decided to come to the United States. They expected to go into the interi- or and work for living, but at present had not decided on their destination. They will be given public reception by the socialists when they are rested. Contributions to the Presidential Fund.
 NEW YORK, Nov. 29.-Mr. George Jones of the New York Times stated to reporter to-day that so far as he knew the subscrip- tions to the Presidential fund were these Jay Gould $25,O J. W. Mackay $25,oOO, w. H. Vanderbilt $25, 1000, E. D. Morgan, L. P. Morton, H. B. Dinsnore, w. B. Astor and John Hoey $5, ,OOO each, total of $1OO,OOO besides some small subscriptions ranging from $500 to 50 cents. MT. Jones said he thought the success of the project was near ly assured" MT. Forbes, of Boston, and his Boston friends had subscribed or would sub- scribe, but Mr. Jones declined to state what was the amount of their contributions. Result of n PIumberss Experimental
 FrIghtful ExpIOslOn of Gas.
 NEW YORK, Nov. 29.-An explosion of gas took place in the basement of the fve-story iron building 66 White street, occupied by WiImerding, Hoguet & Co, auctioneers, this morning. Buildings were shaken and cellar