Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-03-31

The Strange MaIady AmictinH Thcm--Inef-
teetivc Attempts TO Relieve Them.


the Philadelphia Times, says: Straight
across the Delaware from here, and hack
among the hills which run parallel with
the river for many miles, lives family
concerning whom the strangest stories
are told. The father and SONS are farm
ers, and all live in large substantial
house a few yards from the road TO
Doyleston. They are all chronic laugh.
ers, having an afIliction of the muscles
OF the mouth and throat which compels
them to give vent to apparent merri-
ment at stated intervals The malady
first appeared in the father about ten
years ago. He was usually very quiet
man, enjoying fun, but manifesting his
enjoyment without much noise. He was
seated at the dinner-table one dav in
the spring of the year, eating steadily
and not engaging in any of the conyer-
sation which the other members of the
family were carrying on. Suddenly,
without any cause, he burst into loud
fit of laughter, so extremely different
from his accustomed laugh that all
were attracted at once. When asked
what was the reason for his sudden ont
burst he made no reply, but continued
his meTimcnt. Some of the bows
thought he had Mysteries, and pounded
him on the back, but it did no good.
After few moments ho made motions
for pencil and paper, and wrote that hc
was unable to control his risblcs, and
asked them to send fora doctor.
The rural physician came, but could
give no remedy that stopped the laugh
ter. Peal after real Of what seemed
the hcariicst kind Of fun came from
him, and nothing would avail TO pre-
vent II. The doctor finally came to the
conclusion that lac was the victim of
nervous attack, and, leaving a ncryiuc,
departed. The father continued laugh.
ing until about suBdown, when he sud
denly stopped and fell on the floor
completely prostratcd. He soon grew
better however, ate hearty supper,
and spent the evening much as usual.
No signs Of the old trouble appearing,
he went TO bed and was soon fast asleep.
Along about two o'clock in the morn
ing, however, his wife was awakened by
his laughter, and the same symptoms
manifested themselves as on the after
noon previous He kept it mp until
seven o'clock, laughing loud and strong.
At seven o'clock the noise suddenly
ceased and did not return again until
diuner-time. Thus it continued. re-
curing each day shortly after noon and
in the night about two o'clock, and has
ever since. As the week passed he
grew 30 accustomed to the disease that
he was caused very little Inconvenience
by II. He did not get tired out as at
first, and soon was able to go about his
work-sowing seed and planting corn,
digging vegetable and watering the
cat,le-while laughing immodeatcly.
He could not talk while under one OF
the spells, but carried slate and pen
ell around with him. after the fashion
Of a deaf and dumb per on.
The trouble was very regular in com
ing and going, and only occasionally
broke forth at unlooked-for seasons.
Once tho old man was taken in church,
Just when the minister was exhorting
his hearers in the most solemn stains,
and spoiled the effect uf the discourse.
besides disturbing the equilibrium of
the clergyman. Another time he was
found by one Of his ncighhors along the
road, lying beneath a bag Of -four,
laughing at terrific rate. He had been
taken while driving home from the mill.
and the suddeuucss Of the aounds
frightened the horse, causing it to run
away and dump the man aud part Of his
load out in the road. For eighteen
months the father was the only ono Of
the household afflicted with the malady.
Several of them had complained from
time to time Of an inclination TO Join
the father in the laugh, but none Of
them did 80 until nearly two years after
he was taken, when Susie, the youngest
child, suddenly burst into similar at
during one of her fathers attacks.
Since then she laughs at about the
same hour her father docs. One by one
the remaining members fell victims TO
tho strange complaint, until three years
ago there was but one left free, and that
was Charles, the oldest son. His long
exemption led him TO believe he would
escape the contagion. But he was mis-
taken, and it is said he had his first at
tack while petitioning for the hand Of a
Harrisburg damsel. So frightened was
tha lQlr % H. 4. - l.