Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-04-10
1850.
The Case of Congressman Black.

tnrOugnouG Jne SLATE, and Is as f0ll0We:
"This case is one of peculiar and special
interest, inasmuch as the cause of his sud
den and continued illness may be traced to
the alleged unsanitary condition OF the
house In which he lived. 1t must, however,
be stated that he was a dyspeptic, and dur
ing the past few years had frequently suf-
fered from severe attacks Of sudden Illness,
usually following indiscretions in diet. In
January last he consulted a physician in
this city, by whom he was informed of the
nature of his digestive trouble. and also
that his heart was very weak and would not
bear any violent strain. Under the general
directions of his physician his health had
improved. On Friday morning, March 10.
he walked from his dwelling, 1925
Vermont avenue, to the capitol, and ex-
pressed himself as feeling better than he
had for several years. About two O'Clock
he ate, 1T the House restaurant, half
dozen raw oysters. Soon after returning to
his seat in the hall of the House of Repre-
sentatives he felt uncomfortable, and went
to the library to examine some authorities.
but continuing to grow worse he abandoned
the effort, and as he returned to the hall
bought and ate an orange. His discomfort
increased, and at four o'clock he left the
capitol and walked to his lodgings, reach
ing there about five p. m. During his walk
home he was nauseated, dizzy, and fire.
quentlv staggered. He did not eat any din
ner. Believing that the oysters had caused
his sickness, he took an emetic of mustard
and warm water; repeated 1t several
times and gagged himself frequently with
his finger. He vomited freely and often,
but did not get the relief expected. At ten
O'Clock physician was summoned, who
found him walking the floor In great dis
tress. His pulse was forty and barely per-
Gnnfhln- ua nd
cold as ice; lips and face perfectly white;
nausea constant, with occasional violent
retchings. Complained of tingling sensa-
tions and numbness of the left extremities,
and was so restless that he could not be IN
duced to remain In bed until admonished of
the danger OF continued disobedience, and
even then he could not maintain any posi-
ton longer than five seconds, but tossed
about the bed in every conceivable
manner and form. After occasional violent
retchings he would fall back in some posi-
ton, In which he remained for brief pc
riod. He experienced no pain, and denied
having had chill or having felt cold. His
mind was perfectly clear, and every ques-
tion was answered calmly and fully. This
condition continued without abatement,
Notwithstanding the employment Of various
remedies, both external and internal, until
l a. M, 1lth March, when after the admin
pulse rose to ortveight in a minute, the
lactifation gradually ceased, his respiration
improved, and at o'clock his pulse was
siXtV-tour, surface moderately warm, and
he slept quietly. At this hour the physician
left him, to be again called at eight when
he was found to be completely paralyzed
on the left side. Sensation and motion
were entirely lost In both left extremites.
The motion Of the tongue was but slightly,
of oil nod ArkFa
tinct because OF the partial left facial paraly-
Sis Reaction was complete; his pulse was
good, and the temperature OF his body but
slightly above the normal. This condition
continued without any important change
until p. m. Sunday, 18th. After a tran
silent GOODNESS his temperature rose rapidly
to 1888 degrees, and gradually subsided,
falling to normal at a. M, 18th. The pa
ralysis had extended to the right side. He
was left without voluntary power below
the neck. He could express assent by
slight nodding and dissent by a slighter
rotary movement of the head, but could
not retain his head in any position,
even upon the pillow, without artificial
support. The muscles of respiration were
also involved, and life was only maintained
during the day by artificial respiration, and
frequent stimulation of the respiratory and
circulatory centres. After Monday, 18th,
mechanical means were not necessary,
but remedies were employed at VARYING in
tervals daily until the goth to maintain the
circulation and respiration. In fact, for the
lrst ten days, life seemed purely artificial.
During this time, and until the 26th, ply
sician was by his side night and day, always
ready for threatening emergency.
ellis fever rose at - p. m, 18th, to 1014
degrees, fell to 100 degrees at a. M; I4th,
again rose to 10l degrees at 6 q. m, to
fall to 988 degrees at 9 a. m. From this
time till p. M, 17th, the temperature of
his body varied between 9S2 degrees and
100 degrees. his pulse between 1O6 and
120, and his respiration between 20 and 36
On the 18th, between the hours of 1:30 a. m
and 2:3O p. m, another exacerbation &C
CURED, his temperature rising from 9S 4 de-
grees to 1O2 2 degrees and falling to 98 s
degrees. During the 18th his temperature
was generally below SO degrees. At D. m.
on the 18th and at IL m. Goth the tempera-
ture was 100.1 degrees. Since the 2Osh he
has had no fever.
"During the illness his intellect has
been perfectly clear, not even obscurcd
either during the periods Of collapse or of
high fever.
after the disappearance of fever he
regained the faculty OF speech.
but not until the 26th of March was there
any evidence of returning power, first
shown In regaining control Of the sphinctere.
then in the right thumb, and now, April
3rd, he can move most of the fingers Of each
hand, and the feet very slightly; can extend
his legs, straighten his back, and hold and
turn his head at pleasure on pillow. Since
Jhe 20th life has been maintained without
artificial aids, and he has gained daily.
Electro muscular eontraetility and sensi-
Diltty are good In all the voluntary muscles.
sensation is nearly normal. Appetite and
digestion good. He is encouraged by the
prospects OF ultimate and complete re-
,overY.
'Mr. Black occupied the second floor of
ihe house as a dwelling, and had an ofice
-oom in the basement, in which he paeseG
many hours In the morning before going TO
'he capitol, and at night after the sdioIIrn-
nent of the House of Representatives, Sena.
ior Grover occupied the parlor floor. and
Capt. Hooper the third floor. The Senator
las been Ill for several weeks, some mem
Der OF Backs family has been sick since
moving into the house, and on March 18th
scarlet fevef broke out in the family of Can't.
Hooper The house is supplied with fixed
Washstands IN every room, and water closets
and bath rooms on each floor. In the
basement Office are also permanent
sXtures. The house is fflled with nm
pleasant odors from cellar to garret, and has
been condemned by the authorities as an
unfit habitation.
''The theory of the writer is that Mr.. Black
was poisoned by the atmosphere of the
house, that he had chill on the dav he was
AIKEN sick. followed by congestion, and
by acute Inflammation of the
spinal cord. 1t must also be said that he
came from a malarious district, In which
nalarial and typhoid fevers were very preya-
ent during the autumn. Two OF his child
'en had been sick with malarlal fever preyi-
'us to the occupancy of the house referred
10.
He is now comfortably located in house
believed to be free from any noxlous emana.
aoEs, and hopes are entertained Of his COM
)lete recovery.
ut ought to be stated fn this connection /
nat the Health Department has made fire. |
suent unsuccessful efforts to secure from /
congress authority to inspect private dwell |
ngs and to enforce such recommendations |
10 might be necessary for the protection of /
human life, but Congress has refused such /
authority, except for new houses, whereas /
he houses built previous TO the past two |
ears are those most frequently found in an |
condition. The Health Depart
nent has always, when requested, made the
Inspection Of suspected dwellings, but can
nly offer suggestions, without power to en-
Oypa the recommendations for ba |