The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-04-08

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scarlet but without rash. The pulsation of
the arteries in the neck was increased to such
an extent that each throb could be distinctly
seen. and when felt by the fingers the blood
could be distinguished running through
the swollen vessels. There was a great dis
tnIbance in tbs organs of respiration. The
breath, at times, was taken in short, quick
gasps. which would be followed by a period
in which the respiration was greatly pro-
loDged, and taken so easily as to be hardly
noticeable. Another psculiar condition WAS
an increased sensitiveness of the entire sur
face OF the body. The skin was exceedingly
hot to the touch, and when slightly pressed
seemed to produce distress The body could
not bear the slightest weight, and even a
sheet that covered the child induced discom-
fort.
In the early progress + the disease the patient
was attacked by spssms OF the most violent
character. 1t Eeemed during their contin-
uance as if the whole muscular system was
involved. The head was drawn backward
so that it stood at nearly right angle with
the body; the chest and abdominal region
were drawn up into knotty protuoersnces.
aud the muscles in the legs were fall OF
punches and were twisted out of shape.
The agony that the child suffered could not
be told in words. She cried piteously, and
in the height OF The paroxysms her voice
could be heard in the neighboring housss,
snd persons passing frequently stop led ts
learn the cauEe OF the hesrtrending walls.
After the first attack there were no chilis
noticed. A raging fever and frequent spas
modic muscular attacks continued FOR
about three weeks. The child tossed IN bed
and threw herself from one end to the other
OF it, and in apparent attempts to get away
nom the terrible paroxysms. She could not
stand the bedclothes upon her body, and it
required q constant watcher at the bedside
10 keep her from being uncovered. She was
wildly delirious during this period, and
exhibited a wonderful degree of strength,
equal at times to an adult. as her mind
wandered she talked about the ordinary in.
cidents ct school, went through her spelling
lessons, and worked ont e1 samples upon
slate that in her mind she held in front of
her. AT recess she played with. the girls,
laughed st their merry pranks, and called
them by name. She also had ether forms of
delusion. Her great difficulty, as indicated
| by her actions seemed to be IN her head.
Her hsnds, when unhampered, few at once
to her head, and she pressed upon her tenn.
pies and pulled at her hair.
About four weeks ago the fever subsidized,
| the spasmodic contractio1s ceased, and she
sank into comstose state. The trouble in
her head remained. however. for she fire..
| qUently and involuntsrily threw up her
hands and struck her head q sharp blow
After she sank into the stupor she still ex-
| hibited great restlessness, that seemed to
! alternate with a quiescent condition, in
which breathing was hardly perceptibls,
and the functions of the vital organs were
perform ed slowly and weakly; The case was
| pulling to DR.. Rogers, and he called
| a consultation, at which Drs. Birch, Hunger
ford, and Geib were present. The
| treatment that DR.. Rogers had given the
child was approved by the consulting ply
siciaps. bat they expressed surprise ct the
wonderful tenacity of the disease. They
were unanimous in the opinion that the
| ant hcd bar "a M in HroH
/ to live. Two weeks ago the physicians gave
the child up and told her parents that it was
useless TO give her any more medicines. that
nothing could be done for her relief. The
| little girl still remained in the comatose
state, and the cay after the physicians had
| given her up her parents thought that
she was dead. There were no signs
of breathing, and her father prepared to lay
/ her out. She gave evidence before this was
done thaS she was alive by breathing slowly.
She liz gered in this condition, st one time
appearing as If she were dead, after remain
ing in this state for some time apparently
coming back to life. This hanging
between life and death continued until last
! Friday, when change for the better took
place. The girls breath came more natural
| ", and she gave evidence of returning con.
sciousness by calling her sister Mamie, and
after few hours recognized her mother who
had scarcely left her bedside since the child
| was taken sick, seven weeks ago.
According to the statements of the pa
rents, the sick child has not taken any food
from the time she was taken sick until lasI
| Fridsy, when she ate O little milk and beef
tea, icing period of forty-fve days. The
child was unable to swallow, either from the
effects Of paroxysms or from physical ina
| bility to perform the act. Ia the early part
OF her illr ess she was able 10 take little
water, but seemed to have dislike for food.
Her lips were kept moist by repeated appli
cations Of q wet cloth to them. For some
time prior to her return to Consciousness the
facial muscles and rbe right arm were par
tally psraly zed. This condition has i'm
proved considerably since Friday, and he,
general condition is much batter, and she i:
able to take food in small quantities.
When in health the girl was undoubtedly
pretty. She has long black hair and eye'
that seem to be Of unnatural size on &C
count of the thinness of her face, which
shows the least effect Of her long fast. Hel
body is reduced to bone and skin, and she il
virtually a living skeleton. Her skin is per
fecty white and transparent. She is 81
weak that she can not direct the motion o.
| her hands, and cries at the sight OF strau
ger. No medicine has been given her fol
two weeks. The chances appear now in
favor of her recovery, Mr.. Russell is mid
dle-aged man, well known in Stanford
where he has by hard work accumulated
considerable wealth, and is the owner o
several houses His word is vouched for b
those who know him, and he is said to be
man of truth and integrity. The casa hs,
excited great interest in Stamford, where Il
has been discussed daily. and no one doubts
the statements of Mr.. Russell that his little
oirl did mt cat anv fo0d for fortv 0avs