The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-03
A FORTY DAYS FAST.
An Extraordinary Gaze at Stamford, Conn.
Sadie RusselPs Remarkable Expert


George Russell lives with his wife aud three
children in two-story frame house at Main
and Ann streets, in Algiers as one section
OF the town of Stamford, Conn, is called.
On January p his daughter Sadie, whe is in
her sixth year, after she came from school in
the afternoon, was seized with a violent
chill. Every effort was made TO break it
without calling for professional aid, by the
use OF warm drinks and cloths, bat il contiu.
ued until the child was comple tely exhausted
astiDg about three hours. The chill was fol-
lowed Immediately by an intense fsver, that
was compsnied by slight delirium Be.
coming alarmed at her condition, Mr. Rus.
sell called DR. Rogers to see the child. There
was such variety of symptoms at first that
it was diff cult to determine the nature of the
disease, but after the conditions became
somewhat settled the disease was diagnosed
as meningitis. The child's face was bright
scarlet but without rash. The pulsation of
the arteries in the neck was increased to such
an extent that each throb could De distinctly
seen. and when felt by the fingers the blood
could be distinguished running through
the swollen vessels. There was a great dis
turbance in the organs of respiration. The
breath, at times, was taken in short, quick
gasps, which would be followed by period
In which the respiration was greatly pro-
longed, and taken so easily IS TO be hardly
noticeable. Another peculiar 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, aud even a
sheet that covered the child induced discom-
fort
In the early progress OF the disease the patient
was attacked by spssms of the most violent
character. 1t seemed during their contin-
hn hO.fa mn
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 protuberances,
aud the muscles in the legs were full of
punches and were twisted out of shape.
The agony that the child suffered could not
be told in words. She cried piteously, aud
in the height of The paroxysms her voice
could be heard in the neighboring houses,
and persons passing frequently stopped te
learn the cause of the heartrending walls.
After the first attack there were no chills
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 II, and In apparent attempts to get away
from the terrible paroxysms. She could not
stand the bedclothes upon her body, and it
required constant watcher at the bedside
to keep her from being uncovered. She was
exhibited wonderful degree of strength,
equal at times to an adult. AS her mind
wandered she talked about the ordinary in
cidents at school, went through her spelling
lessons, and worked out examples upon q
slate that in her mind she held in front of
her. AT recess she played with the girls.
laughed at their merry pTsnks aud 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 hands, when unhampered, flew at once
to Ter head and she pressed upon her tenn
pies and pulled al her hair.
About four weeks ago the fever subsidized,
the spssmodic contractions ceased, and she
sank into q comstose state. The trouble in
her head remained, however. for she fire.
quentIy and involuntarily threw up her
hands and struck her head a sharp blow.
After she sank into the stupor she still ex-
hlbited great tlsssness, that seemed TO
alternate with a quiescent condition, in
which breathing was hardly perceptible,
and The functions of the vital organs were
performed slowly and weakly. The case was
pulling to DR.. Rogers. and he cal ed
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
sicians, but they expressed surprise at the
wonderful tenacity Of the disease. They
were unanimous IN the opinion that the
patient had hardly one chance in hundred
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 day 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 that she was alive by breathing slowly.
She liz geTe6 in this condition, at one time
appearing as if she were dead, after remain
ing in this state for SONS time apparently
coming back to lie This hanging
between life and death continued until last
Friday, when change for the better took
place. The girls breath came more natural
ly, and che 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 last
Friday, when she ate little milk and beef
tea, being period of forty-fve days. The
child was unable to swallow, either from the
effects of paroxysms or from physical ina.
bilitv to perform the act In the early part
OF her illness she was able to take a little
water, but seemed to have q dislike for food.
Her lips were kept moist by repeated appli-
cations CT wet cloth to them. For some
time prior to her return to Consciousness the
facial muscles and the right arm were par
italy psralyzed. This condition has i'm.
proved considerably since Friday, and her
general condition is much bs.te-, and she is
able to tske food in small quantities.
When in health the girl was undoubtedly
pretty. She has long black hair and eyes
that seem to be of unnstural size on &C.
count OF the thinness of her face, which
shows the least effect of her long fast. Her
body js reduced to bone and skin, aud she is
virtually living skeleton. Her skin Is per.
fectly white and transparent. She lie so
weak that she can not direct the motion OF
her hands, and cries at the sight of strau-
ger. No medicine has been given her for
two weeks. The chances appear now in