The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-08-09
TANHEn OUTD0NE.
Singular sickness OF IN Young German
Girl In Louisville.


LOUISVILLE, August THE details OF
very singular case which Is battling the
physicians came to light this morning.
The story is to the effect that young
German girl. named Minnie seebach, liv-
ing on Marshall street, between Hancock
and Jackson, has been lying for forty
four days without any nourishment The
neighbors are much exercised over the
matter, and exaggerated accounts have
gotten out, but, % near as can be learned,
the facts are % follows:
The girl Is nearly twenty: ahe has been
an invalid for the last three years with
hysterical, nervous affection. This dis
ease manifested itself In various ways, and
seemed to come on in spells; she would at
times be almost wholly well and able TO
70 about. At one time during period OF
three weeks her limbs were cramped aud
drawn up, 30 that 1t was impossible for
her to move.
sat another time she manifested differ
ent symptoms, and would crow like q
rooster and bark like dog, on being dis
turbed from her lethargy by any sudden
noise.
But the most remarkable phase In the
disease Ia the one that has manifested itself
recently. The girl lies in bed at her home,
in semi.unconscious condition, with her
mouth wide open. She seems TO have lost
nearly all will power over the muscles,
and does not seem TO notice anything un-
less she Ia suddenly struck or touched,
when twitching motion OF the muscles
takes place. She has not spoken awoId,
80 her parents say, in two weeks, during
ali which time she has lain In this uncon-
scious state. ...
But what Is more remarkable, It Is posi-
lively asserted that she had not taken q
particle Of food TO stay upon her stomach
lor iorty.four days. Her parents have re-
peatedly affirmed 10 the physician and TO
their friends that such Is the case. They
say that she has utterly refused food, and
during her trance has been unable 10 sWal
low It.
Once or twice they were successful in
making her eat something, but the food
was Immediately elected. Injections Of
beef tea and brandy were tried, but even
these would not remain.
The girl has not lost complete voluntary
control OF her muscles, as has been proved
by several experiments Of the physicians,
and II may be that q great deal OF It is
atiectalion aud leigniug On her part But
this Is in direct contradiction 70 the posi-
live assertions OF her parents.
The girl Ii constantly growing weaker
hut Ia not as thin As might be expected
from such prolonged last. She is very
pale, and lies motionless upon the bed. Il
Is thought that unless she takes nourish-
ment, the result will speedily be fatal. She
has no fever, the temperature being per-
iectly normal. The pulse is weak and
feeble.
The father OF the girl 10 an industrious
German tailor. A number OF physlcianG
i, have attended her during her long illneas,
but during this last spell DR.. Bindewald
has been waiting upon her. He reaardl
the case as the most remarkable he evei
encountered, and hardly knows what u
: say about It.
! fithe father and mother Of the child I'D
here 10 their story about the forty.fou
days fast, they will be requested TO max
affidavit to the fact, that Il may go oi
record for the benefit Of medical science
b What Is more, It Is said she has not dram
any water for several weeks.
This afternoon your reporter called q
the Seebach cottage, on Marshall stree,
A. bat on the very first question the girl
mother cried out In broken Englipt
u "You're from de news babers, amt you
le Well, won't tell you any din9s about |
ID People come here eiery day 70 see hel
h last night dsre was nearly fifty Of 'em.
- can't be bothered that way, aud l don
OF want anything In the babers about It."
1t, Further questioning was useless, ar
n. the reporter had 10 go away without ha
n ing his curiosity gratifed.