The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-30
SHE WAS OSSIFIED.
The Strange and AgOnizing Sufferings of a
Lady Ended by Death.

LocKPoRr, N. Y, April 29.-Mrs. Elizabeth
Burridge Bullock. daughter Of Mr.. Benjamin
Burridge, OF this city, who died on Tuesday and
Eas buried to-day, was a sufferer from strange
lilment She was, to speak, in an almost
complete state OF ossifcation for the past Ave
years. and her joints had become stiffened so
shat it was impossible for her to live. She was
most Intense sufferer from the pain attendant
npon the advances Of the disease. The con-
Eacting and drawing of the bones and cords OF
Ihs body was agonizing To see the frigbtfully
distorted and emaciated remains OF W hat was
pnce beautiful and perfect woman would give
Inly partial idea of what Mrs. Bullock suf-
lered.
The lady was thirty-six years old at the time
VI her death. When thirteen years of age she
Was plump GIRL attendant upon the w WaShburn-
Jtreet school here.
One day, with other playm ates, she climbed a
bree in the neRhborhood of the school, and was
Jared to jump from one Of the branches. This
Phe did, breaking her collar bone and injuring
her right knee. A swelling appeared on the in
side of the knee which troubled her more or less
rs tho years advanced. In 1873 medical aid was
hrst called in TO treat her for her knee, the pain
from which had grown to be quite severe, she
having Caught cold in the member while skat-
nR.
She married in 1874 Some years later her
bones began to stiffen and trouble her some
Five years ago the joints became hardened and
her teeth were all drawn out from the upper
law and both jaws set. Physicians inserted a
piece OF thin wood between the lower set OF
teeth and the gums 10 keep the teeth from in
)uring tnetl. 1t was about three months after
ihe hrst appearance OF the rigidIty of the bones
before tho body was completely affected. Her
health was completely undermined and the last
I've years she has been falling gradually from
day TO Gay. The effect can be realized when
from a strong, healthful woman weighing one
hundred and eight pounds she faded away to al
most mere skeitton weighing only thirty
pounds when she died
Her joints not only hardened but the cords Of
she body contracted and drew them into all
manner Of shapes. The hip joint, on the right
side, was completely ont of the socket and pro-
truded frightfully. The left limb was drawn
all ous of shape. as were the hands and head
She subsisted on food prepared for her. She
fed herself, tooth in the lower set being re-
moved 70 admit the nouriehment. Her right
hand was motionless, but her left she was able
to guide little. She was thus enabled to write
some. She read easily and talked readily to
the time of her death.
For the past three years Mrs. Bullock resided
with her father, Ia this city She was patient
and never was known to complain. The only
similar case, and then it is not in such a marked
degree as this. Is that OF Jonathan Bass the os-
sineo man, OF Lewiston, this county. Bass is
perfectly rigid, but has not the contraction of
his Jolnts Mrs. Bullock's disease is called
caalky gout, and chalky rheumatism and MANY
other names pertaining to diseases of the bone