Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-22
VERY MUCH LIKE LOCKJAw
Albert WsbSr'n BtranEe Addiction
which Keeps Him from Eating.
Nav York Wnrld.1

Albert Weber. thirty-four years OF ace,
residing at No. 232 Eighth avenue, slowly
diving i'm the midst 81 his grlei.ttrlcken family
from a most painful ailment, which has Ut
terly bsfiled The skill OF al the physicians
who have attended him. His jaws srerigidly
set, 20 II he were suffering FROM tetanu', but
The doctors Vt the New York UOtpital de-
clare that il is not lockjsw. He also suffers
the most excrucisting agony from the stretch
ing OF the cords. nerves, and muscles OF his
body. Morphine has 10 be constantly adj
ministered to relieve his pains. Bronchial
affection is also painfully apparent, . constant
rsttllnE being distinctly heard in his throat,
and be is unable to expectorate.
A few days before July LIST Mr.. Weber was
lifting some heavy barrels when he burst
kloOG.Vesscl in his nsse. On July 81 ne
complained to hlS wife that bis Jaws felt still
Tie next morning he was worse and went
10 a drugstore, where he took some pills.
On the evening OF July 4th biz jaws became
rigid aud bis teeth were set tightly together.
on that morning Mr.. Weber partook OF the
last meal he has eaten, thus far not particle
OF solid food having passed bis lips FOR fifteen
DAYS. A neigbboring physician was called
in on July 9Th, but could give Weber 20 re-
lief aud confessed thai the case was beyond
bis skill. lie did not think 1t was locAIaw,
however.
On july Ctb Mrs. Weber had her uufOriu-
nate husband removed to The New York
Hospital. where be occupied single room.
Thirty physicians and professors gave their
attention 10 the case, but one and al were
nonplussed. IL was agreed that WebeTs
case was the only one on record. and while
few expressed belief that be was suffering
from lOckjaw the majority did not hold to
that opinion, but believed that he was suffer-
inc from an extraordinary coAtracliOn OF the
nerves and chords OF his body. The only
food that could be administered to the luck
less patient was Of fluid form, principally
mix ana water, which was injected into bis
throat through an aperture in bis teeth, 1t
beinp impossible to even pry Opcn his Jaws.
While Ia the hospital one night the oplate
treatment was overlooked for swhlie, and
during a muscular contraction the patient
threw himself clear out Of the bed upon The
floor. As no relief could be given Mr..
Weber at the hospital, his vii. had him re-
moved TO their home on Monday, md their
phvsiciau was consulted. lie thinks that
weber is suffering from rheumatic lockiaw,
complicated with pleurlsy, Inflammation OF
the lungs, and bronchitis.
Yesterday Mr. Weber was lying on cot
i'm the parlor attended 10y bis wife. His
wife Keeps him constantly under the inllu-
ence Of morphine, without winch be would
suffer the most terrible agony. Blrs. Weber
Informed the Tepsrter that the physician
saws that II Mr.. Weber can survive until
saturday there will then most likely be q
change for the better, and he may ultimately
recover. There is very little hope that he
will recover. however, ana he cannot posi-
bly, exist much longer upon the very meagre
nourshment given him.
klr. Weber Was very large. athletic man,
with splendid physical health, but he has so
wasted away since his peculiar illness that
he Is but a shadow OF his former self. He
has an interest in the saloon under his apart
menis, and his business affairs seem to be
constantly on bis mind. He acts very quecriy
At times. trying to lift up the bed-ciothes
and trying TO pick something OIL them.
Those familiar with the case say thst Mr..
Weber's days upon earth are numbered.