Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1884-08-24
WITHOUT A PARALLEL.
A Girl Who Has Lived One Hundred
and Sixty.five Days With
out Food.
A Complete History of thu Most
Remarkable Case In Med
ical History.
The Body 10 Perpetual Motion Day
and kight---No Dispo-
siti0n to Eat.

FoRT PLAIN, N. Y, August 23.-Mis'
Kate smulsy, who has gone without food
for l63 days, was very low tonight, but is
still conscious and talks. Miss Smulsy was
a dressmaker, and when able to work had
plenty to do. She is 90 years of age, and
was naturally bright and intelligent. Two
years ago last July she was taken i'll, and
was compelled to remain in bed. She i'm
proved somewhat, and was able to be about
but in October was again compelled 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 involuntary motion
Of the right leg and foot. At length her
hand had q sidewise movement to the
right The doctors diagnosed the case as
St. Vitus' dance. The usual remedies were
applied, but with no benefit to the patient.
She grew worse. and the motions, at first
confined to the LIMBS on one side, seized
her whole body. The motion was first per-
pendicular, and like that of person saw
ng wood, only not so 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 bod7 from
side TO side with the regularity of pendu-
lum at the rate of fifty per minute. This
motion is perpetual for twenty-five or
twenty.ihree hours out of the twenty-four,
and is wholly involuntary. For an hour or
more-ncyer over two-in the night she
sleeps from sheer exhaustion, but is
awakened by the slightest noise. The
moment that she wakens the ceaselesS roll
ing begins, to stop only when, worn out,
she again sinks TO rest.
NOT VOLUNTARY.
Some thought the constant moving was
voluntary. One physician sat by her
side for three hours, during which time
there was not the slightest diminution Of
the rolling. Another physician said he
could stop itif he wished, and, seizing her
BY the shoulders, held her tightly few
minutes, but the instant he released his
hold her body resumed its motion. She feels
the result of this treatment yet, and says
that there is not Il spot on her person that is
not sore. The weight of pin is actually
painful and cannot be endured. Her arms
arc larger ard harder than one would ex-
poet for Young woman of her size in per-
feet health. To the touch they indicate
strong muscles. In fact, all the muscles
Of her body are well developed.
This is accounted for by the constant mo.
tiou Crher body, which keeps them in cxer-
else. Another remarkable thing about it is
that she has not on her person any bed
sores. In most cases where persons are
confined to their bed !or a long period sores
show themselves and become very trouble
some. In her case, though she has not left
her bed since year ago last October, there
is none Since January she has not been
able TO raise her head from the pillow.
About three months ago she began to have
trouble with her eyes, and strong light
YVES painful to her. She now lies in dark
room, and wears blue glasses. The color
Of the glasses contrast strongly with the
pale, white face and snowy bedding.
ReIished Delicacies.
Durin- the early part OF her sickness she
reishrd delicacies, and the neighbors sent
in such little dishes as they thought would
please her. Her appetite was not raven.
Gus. sill shc ate as much as an invalid or
dinariiy would. At length solid food dis
trc,scd ber, and since March ii she has not
esten Morsel. For some time she was
able 20 drink either milk or water, and drank
two or three glasses each day. After
time she could not drink milk, and only
wat; us taken, and that in small quanti-
ties. length she could not drink even
water One day she drank glass Of water
and was seized with convulsions, and for two
days was in terrible distress. Her body
bloa;ed until it measured nearly twice the
natural siae about the waist. For eight
weeks she has not swallowed a drop
OF water or other nolrishment. At
tempts have been made TO give her
teaspooniul Of water, but it invariably
brought on commissions aud great distress.
Every exerion seems to blOst her. Long
conversations cause her to turn purple and
bloat. She has no desire to eat, and her
thirst is satisfied by holding water in her
mouth and ejecting il. This she does sev-
eral times dav Her stOmech feels fall,
as though she had recently eaten hearty
meal Her sickness is accompanied BY no
delusion whatever. and her mind is clear
and rational. She would be glad to eat if
she could, and, at the request of her Phyti-
clan. has made attempts 70 eat or drink,
but with the result described. All efforts to
feed her in other WAYS than by mouth have
proved futile.
There is no denial Of the fact that for l6j
days at noon to-day she has not tasted food,
and that for eight weeks she has not swal
lowed. Eer ease stands without parallel.
DR.. Zoller, attending physician, SAYS she
looks as though she had normal dropsy
n A-o.. .b;,ta Z, r,ac,,Ear fnrm nf ~