Smyrna times., 1880-09-01

A correspondent of the Pittsburg Leader
relates the following remarkable case Of
fasting, the result of nervous prostration,
the victim being daughter of Hon. John
A. Happier, ex.member OF the Legislature
and q resident of Washington county.
Mr.. Happier, in speaking of his daughters
affection, said: 1t is four years ago since
my daughter, who is now "a years Of age,
was attending school at Birmingham, east
of the mountains. She became subject to
most violent neuralgia attacks, the pain
flying instantly from the side to the head
or vice versa. At first these attacks would
last ten days, then longer time, and dur
ing their prevalence my daughter could
not taste food of any sort; in fact she could
not during a greater part Of that time
drink even water. We thought perhaps
that she might eat something when we
were not about, but on one occasion, re.
member, she was confined to her bed for
more than ten days, and in that time could
not have procured anything to eat. A
little more than two years ago. one of my
sons, while out cunning, by al accidental
discharge of the fouling.piece shot and
| fatally wounded himself. The news of his
death being conveyed to my daughter,
brought on nervous prostration; she sank
to the floor, and since that time has never
walked across the floor unassisted. We
thiRk her spine is affected"
| THE DAUGHTER's STORY.
Just at this moment q lady seated in q
comfortable arm chair mounted on wheels,
trundled herself into the room.
"My daughter" said the gentleman.
looked and there sat lady who did not
look in the face much more than twenty.
Her hair was neatly arranged, most intel
ligsnt forehead, and bright pair of blue
eyes were at once noticeable.
"No," she said in answer to question
al don't like to talk of my affliction, but
il it will be the means of doing me any
good or any one else, will try and tell
you about it."
at is fully sixteen years ago." she said
"snce l have felt that was not in tbs
condition Of healthy girlhoed. l SO stated
to my physicians but they said that
would outgrow any feeling of illness
thought possessed and paid no attention
to me. So it ran along four years or more
aud one day in class feeling came ovsl
me an if Of utter numbnsss; my eye
seemed to have lost their use and wsr'
seemingly paralyEsd and seemed in
state of ssmi.consoiousnsss, and then fright
full pains took possession of my face. Pre-
vious to this had felt loss Of appetite
and syon before seized with this attack
had ceased TO eat any sblids. After this al
tack could eat nothing, my stonscl
would revolt at even water, and as to M
medicine have never been able to retail
it. So it run along and the nsuralgic al
tack left me, but with its departure my sT
petite did not return. Ny physicians said
was my teeth, and went so far as to hav
! them extracted, but the neuralgia attack
returned periodically. When they wsr
with me, sometimes ten days, sometime
for months could not eat or drink any
thing. could see others eat and / enjOye
IL as do now, but when Rttsmpt.i thsr
comes q nausea my stomach rsvolts an
will retain nothing" .....
MONTHS WITHOUT DRINK on FOOD.
"And in tho interim during these a
taoks do you not feel like eatingfp u,
NJ at sometimes, when am not i'll, era,
for something sour and can drink Yinegl
or eat an entire lemon. l can even tai
the juice from fruit or drink adlemonAd
That is all. In years have not itouchs
aolid food. l cannot, and | do try so hal
at times. During my sickness have, gor
for months unable to touch either drink
food of any sortj the very best / have Doe
able TO do is to hold little piece OF loo
my nouth, and that has been such /,
effort. Yet you see / am apparently n
$50 picture Of health when / returned fro
school, after having been racksd with pa
and worn with fasting, my cheeks we
ro.y, my face Hushsd ss IL with tho hna
lpslth and my limbs strong. And there