San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-11-05
TIE MARCH TO DEATH.
WHAT PHYSICIANS SAY CONCERN
ING GENERAL PARESlS.


Weakening Minds Filled with Strange
ENTHUSIASTICALLY Results of a Fast
Life-No Remedy.
"Died of general paresis."
Again and again during the past five years
this has been the verdict In the case of peo-
pie noted for their brilliant mental attain
ments until the very name paresis conveys a
feeling of terror to the minds Of many. And
well it may, for it means madness and death
to it's victims.
Nothing can save the person afflicted with
the disease. First comes q slonding of the
mental faculties, which is sarcely percepti-
bic. Only to the expert has it any meaning.
Generally the afflicted person evinces a
weakness for stealing. Small, worthless
things arouse his cupidity, and he is detected
again and again making away with trihing
things, for which he has generally not the
slightest use. An odd shoe or glove, an ink
stand or penwiper letters, cups and saucers,
almost anything that comes in his way, are
surreptitiously appropriated.
With this mania comes a gradual oblitera-
ton of the fine lines of the face. 1t assumes
a doughty, puffy appearance, and the pupils
of the eyes are irregular. Then comes reck-
lessness in regard to money matters, pro-
duced by illusions of limitless or easily got
ten wealth. For this reason most persons,
when they are finally stricken helpless by
the disease, are compelled to seek shelter in
public institutions. While still, as far as
their friends can see, in the full enjoyment
of their faculties, they buy everything that
strikes their fancy, generally using up all
their ready cash and plunging into debt as
deeply as possible If their fancy runs to
jewelry they buy diamonds rings and
watches until their funds or credit give out.
The minds of others, again run to furniture,
and they pile great quantities of furnishings
up in their homes, frequently enough TO
stock them dozen times over Others have
mania for horses, carriages, clothing or
perhaps even real estate and bonds, bought
with an utter disregard for their value or the
ability to pay.
These extravagances generally become so
noticeable that friends and relatives inter
fere. An examination is held and generally
the person is discharged, for rarely can a
sheriffs jury be found that will al Judge a
person insane against whom nothing more
than extravagaut eccentricities can be
charged. But the disease marches on
steadily. The illusions Of wealth and grand
eur become more and more pronounced.
Then follow thickness of speech and a fail
ing memory. The face becomes more puffy
and the fine lines are almost obliterated.
simultaneously, too, there frequently ap-
pears hating or unsteadinesS in the gait,
and paresis has its hold firmly fastened.
Generally the disease runs its course within
two Years. II rarely takes longer to bring
The victim TO the grave, though some few
cases are known where death was fought off
for a longer period. But dissolution is in
evitable. No remedy has yet been found
that will stay the disease Even if the
patient is taken in hand at the earliest posi-
bic stage, nothing, so far as known at pres
ent can save him. Decay can be made more
gradual, but it is inevitable.
As the disease progresses it is pitiable to
watch the victim. The power of articulation
becomes weaker with each day, until,
finally, the patient can only stutter
out his words painfully with the
greatest effort Walking becomes more
and more laborious The limbs totter
under the body, and at last he requires the
assistance of an attendant if the patient
wants to get about The face assumes a
brutal appearance. AL the muscles of the
body are afflicted with painful tremor, the
bands particularly, twitching constantly.
Tho mind is filed with the most wonderful
Illusions.
10 matter how low the paretic may be be
IS Supremacy happy. His Surroundings are
@othinS 10 him, Though he may know that
he Is in an insane asylum, that he is consid-
cred hopelesSly crazy by the people about
him, he feels that the delusion is theirs, and
not even the fact that he is restrained of his
liberty can make him unhappy. To him mil
Lions are nothing. He has magnificent
houses, countless servants, and on his death
bed he will invite you with CHASTITY hospi-
tality to ride the broad seas with him in his
golden ships. In hideous mockery of his
physical and mental decrepitude the victim
of p@rcSiS is always Of robust appearance.
rs the disease progresses in its ravages his
body grows fat, and to the inexperienced eye
he seems, when in ropose, a magnificent spe-
cimen Of manhood. His appetite is never
tagging and his powers of digestion are mar
veOC8. The disease affects only the higher
nervous system, and leaves the nerves of the
lower order unimpaired Ali the involun-
tary functions Of the body are carried on
without interruption Just as though the pa
tent were in perfect health.
mo man who leads model life is likely to
have general paresis," said Dr. Sharks, super
intendent Of the Kngs County Insane
asylum, to a reporter Of The Press
Can no man who docs not dissipate be at
tackled with it!"
Il won't say that, by any means. There
may be other causes. In the first place the
disease is hereditary. The person afflicted