Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1884-09-27
A CASE WITHOUT A PARALLEL.
wonderful Experience of Miss smulsey Of
Fort Plain. N. Y.

vonderfuI Experience of Miss smulsey Of
Fort Plain. N. Y.
Miss Kate Smulsey of Fort Plain. Mont
eomery county, N. Y, has now survived
triHe over six months without-so far
m can be known or is believed-taking
amonthful of solid food or hardly swal-
ling a particle of nourishment of any
kind. Her case is stubborn mystery
to physicians, and no treatment that she
has received has been of any avail eth
er in restoring her to health, or produc-
ing such condition of the stomach al
to enable her to partake of sustenance.
Miss Smulsey was dressmaker, and
when able to work had plenty to do.
She is 20 years of age, and was naturally
bright and intelligent. Two years ago
last July she was taken ill, and was
compelled to remain in bed. Subse-
ouently she improved somewhat, and
was able to be about, but in October was
compelled agaiE to take her bed, and
has never since been able to leave it.
The first approach of the disease was
trembling and shaking of the right hand
followed by in, oluntary motion of the
right leg and foot. At length: her head
had sidew,se movement to the right.
The doctors diagnosed the case as st.
Vitus's dance. The usual remedies were
applied. but with no benefit to the pa
tient. She grew worse, and the motions
which were al first confined to the
limbs on one side, seized her whole body.
The motion was first perpendicular,
and like that of q person saving wood,
only not 80 violent. In time, to this
motion was added one partly rolling,
and the two were combined.
Lately the motion has been rolling
only. She. rolls constantly, moving her
entire body from side to side with the
regularity OF pendulum at the rate of
fifty per minute. This motion is per-
petual for twenty-five or twenty-three
hours out of the twenty-four, and is
wholly involuntary. For an hour or
more-never over two-in the night she
sleeps from sheer exhaustion but is
awakened by the slightest noise. The
moment that she waksns the ceaseiess
rolling begins, to stop only when worn
out, she again sirks TO rest. ..,,.
Some thought the constant moving
was voluntary. One pbysician sat by her
side for three hours during which time
there was not the slightest diminution
of the rolling. Another ph sician said
he could stop it if he wished, and seiz-
ing her by the shoulders, held her tight
ly few minutes, but the instant he re-
leased his hold her body resumed
its motion. She feels the result Of this
treatment yet, and says that there is not
Q spot on her person that is not sore.
The weight of pin is actually painful
and cannot be endured. - 80
Her arms are larger and harder than
one would expect for young woman of
her size In perfect health. 70 the touch
they indicate strong muscles. In fact
al the muscles Of her body are we'll de-
veloped. This is accounted for by the
constant motion of her body, which
keeps them in exercise. Another re-
markable thing about it is that she has
not on her person any bed sores. In
most cases Were persons are confined
to their bed for long period sores show
themselves and become very trouble
some. In her case, though che has not
left her bed since year ago last Octo-
Der, there In none. Since Jan. I she has
not been able to raise her head from the
pillow. About three months ago she
began to have trouble vito her eyes,
and strong hight was painful to her.
She now lies in a dark room and wears
blue glasses. The color Of the glasses
contrasts strongly with the pale, white
face and snowy bedding.
During the early part of her sickness
she relished delicacies, and the neigh
bors sent in such f;ttle dishes az they
thought would please her. Her appetite
was not ravenous, still she ste as much
as an invalid ordinarily wonld., At
length solid food distressed her. and
since March II she has not eaten NOR.
sci. For some tiac Size wss able to
drink either milk ~ water, and drank
two or three glasses each day. After q
time she could not drink milk. and wa
ter only was taken, and il,Su in small
quantities. At length shc ID not
drink even water. Onc,l !, ii drank
glass OF water and wa 'N;Ih con-
vulsions, and for two days S.-. Ii terri
bic distress. Her body bloAted until it
measured nearly twice the natural size
about the waist. For eight weeks she
has not swallowed drop of water or
other nourlshment. Attempts have
been made to give her teaspoonful OF
water, but it invariably brought on con-
WILSON'S and great distress. Every ex.
ertion seems to bloat her. Long conyer.
sations cause her. to turn. purple and
bloat. She has no desire 10 eat, and
her thirst is satisfied by holding water
in her mouth and ejecting it. This she