The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1889-01-12
TIE MARCH To DEATH.
WHAT PHYSICIANS SAY CONCERN
ING GENERAL PARESis.

characteristics of New American Disease.
Weakening Minds Filled with Strange
| Hallucinations-The Results of q Fast
Life-No Remedy.
"Died of general paresis."
| Again and agaiu during the past five years
this has been the verdict in the case Of peo-
pie noted for their brilliant mental attain
| ments, until tho very name paresis conveys
feeling of terror to the minds of many. And
well it may, for it means madness and death
| to its victims.
| Nothing can save the person afflicted with
the disease First comes clouding of the
mental faculties, which is scarcely percepti-
bic. Only to the expert has it any meaning.
Generally the afflicted person evinccs a
weakness for stealing. Small, worthless
things arouse bis cupidity, and he is detected
again and again making away with trifline
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, aro
surreptltlously appropriated.
With this mania comes gradual oblitera-
ton OF the fine lines of the face 1t assumes
"o"s' t"iAy appearance, onu tho pupils
OF the eyes are irregular Then comes a reck-
lessheSs 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
tiieiF ready cash and plunging into debt rs
deeply us possible. If their fancy runs to
lewelry they buy diamonds, rings and
watches until their funds or credit give out.
Inc minds Of others. again, run to furniture,
ana they pile great quantities of furnishings
up IN their homes frequently enough to
SOCK them dozen times over. Others have
mania for horses, carriages, clothing or
perhaps e'cn real estate and bonds. BOUGHT
with an utter disregard for their value or the
ability to pay.
These cXtravaganccs generally become so
noticeable that friends and relatives inter.
ierc An examination is held and generally
the person Is discharged, for rarely can a
Shcrlil'S jury he found that will adjudre n
person insane against whom nothing moro
tnah eStravaSant ccccntricties can be
charged. But the disease marches on
| s'Ns~>1ity' AtS VI wealth. ana rrltu-
eur become moro and more pronouncel
Then follow II thickness of speech md n fnil.
ing memory Tho face becomes moro puffy
and the fine lines ara almost obl,teratei.
simultaneously. too, there frequently ap-
pears II lialJlng or unsteadincss IN tho gait.
and paresis has its hold firmly fastened.
Generally the disease runs its course within
TWO years. 1t rarely takes longer to bring
the victim to the grave, though somo few
cases are known where death was fought OF
fora longer period. But dissolution is in-
evltablc. No remedy has yet been found
that will stay the disease Even if the
patient is taken i'll hand at tho earliest posi-
bic stage, nothing, SO far as known at pres
ent, can save him. Decay can be made moro
gradual, but it Is inevitable
AS the disease progresses it is pitiablo to
watch tho victim Tho power of articulation
becomes weaker with each day, until,
finally, tho patient can only stuttcr
out his words painfully with tho
greatest effort. Walking becomes moro
and moro laborious The limbs totter
under tho body, and at last he requires tho
assistance of IN attendant if tho patient
wants to get about. Tho face assumes a
brutal appearance. All tho muscles of tho
body are afflicted with n painful trcmor, the
hands particularly, twitching constantly
The mind is filled with the most wonderful
illusions.
No matter how low tho paretic may be he
is supremely happy. His surroundings are
nothing to him. Though h" may know that
he is i'll an insane asylum, that he is consid.
cred hopelcssly crazy by the people about
him, llo feels that the delusion is theirs, and
not even tho fact that he is restrained of his
liberty can make him unhappy To him mil
lions are nothing. Ho has magnificent
houses, countless servants and on his death
bed he will invite you with u ghastly hospi-
tallty to ride the broad seas with him in his
golden ships. In hideous nockery Of his
physical and mental decrepitude the victim
of paresis is always OF robust appearance
AS the disease progresses in its ravases his
body grows fat, and to tho inexperienced eye
he seems, when in repose, q magnificent spe-
cimen Of manhood. His appetite is never
tagging and his powers Of digestion arc mar
vicious. Tho disease affects only tho higher
nervous system, and leaves the nerves Of the
lower order unimpaired All tho involun-
tary functions Of the body are carried Oh
without interruption just us though the pa-
| tient were in perfect health
"No man who leads u model life is likely to
have general paresis," said d.. Shanks, super.
| !IleiidelIO VI t.iS 4AiUt,S 1Ou.!lJ insane
asylum, to u reporter Of TIE Press
Can 10 man who does 10. d.ssi;;ate be at.
tackled with itl''
~ won't say that, by any means. There
may he other causes In the C:.s.. place, tho
disease is hereditary. Tho person afflicted
with it may lead u perfect life and still be-
como victim of pa:csis, becaysc he has been
tainted from the father or mothers side
Besides. dissipation is not Icces,c1..Y meant
| when we speak OF n man LOT l=a;.in. model
| life Take the Wall street b:o.:e,s for in
stauce. Many CT them dc from paresis
brought on by the constant excitement and
whirl i'll which they live. Lack Of rest and
improper hours viii produce il; worrying
will bring it on, and serious bus."ess troubles
often cause it. Because a man has general
paresis it does not follow that his has been
bad life. But man who lives f;;s. is far
more liable to contract tho e..se:so taaa any
| one else"
ITO what is it due!'
"a general breaking down CT tie higher
nervous system, caused by waiting away
and shrinking Of tie brain. Af.er death the
pacctic's brain hes the appearance OF . cheese
VIXEN you cut into It. There are snail round
holes al through the grayma:ter. These arc
caused by tie suriI.;nG."
"lioa CO you account for tao lac7ease in
t..c disease of l..e vcars!'
Party Lccauso 1t is 80 much better known
,ad understood, ai:l cases formerly incor.
rectiy diagnosed ere now p-opsr.y classified,
c..d l.art!J', a.-o, bec@a&, it is rapidly and
constantly ON the increase with the increase
OF fast life. That Its czistca=e is mainly dco
to fast living is evident FROM tie fact that in
/ tie country general paresis is Unknown. It
is only in the large cities, wae:e opportunities
for dissipation abound, taat it has foothold,
aud it is hero tiat it is ca to imcvease."-
| New YORK Press.
Do not expect too much from others, but
forbear and forgive, os you desire forbeay.
ance and forgiveness yourself.
| Reading Is tho Key.