Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-07-03
FROM WHITE 10 BLACK.
One Of the Most Remarkable Diseases
Known TO Science. iI''i

Known TO Science.
A most interesting case of the rare
affiictlon known as Addison's disease
/ resulted In the death few days ago OF
VIM, 8. Hatcher, machinist 25 years
OF age, who lived at No. 35 Cooper
street. This disease is named after the
man who first described 1t and is one
of the most remarkable known to medi-
cal men. 1t has completely baffled the
skillful physicians who have attempted.
to treat 1t and death is considered GER
tain In all cases. So far as the physi-
clans know, the disease Is a degenera-
tion OF the superrenal capsule Of the
kidney, and the principal symptom
which distinguishes IL from all other
diseases is the gradual darkening Of the
skin. In the case Of Hatcher, he was Ia
ken sick about years ago and the dark
ening of his skin then began and gradu-
ally spread over nearly all his body,
constantly becoming darker until at
the time Of death Hatcher's face and
neck were a deep black, as dark as the
color ofa full blooded negro. He worked
until within about three weeks of his
death. During the early years of his
illness he was not very sick and was
able to work without serious inconveni-
ence. He consulted a physician, who
told him there was no use taking
medicine as he could not be cured. So
he did not take treatment until June 8,
when DIR. Fry was called. The doctor
was of course, unable to check the dis
ease, but gave the patient such relief as
he could. The doctor says 1t is the sec
ond case of the kind that he has seen.
1t would have been very interesting to
examine the body after death to study
the disease, but the young mans moth
er positively refused to allow q post
mOrtem examination to be held. '....
Mrs. Hatcher was seen yesterday af-
ternoon and said that about
four years ago her son fell into the lake
on cold day in winter and caught q
severe cold, since which time he has
been constantly ailing, though at no
time until quite recently has he been
seriously i'll. He lacked energy and took
no interest in his work, which was at
tributed to laZiness, aud little attention
was given his case by the family until
about two years ago. At that time
dark blotches began to appear on each
side Of his face and about his ears
| WHeu Iu0Se were HTSL nOtICeu Hls
mother gave his face a thorough wash
ing, under the impression that the
spots were caused by dirt. They could
not be removed. however, and gradual.
ly became darker and extended over
his face and entire body until what had
been fair complexion was changed to
the darkest hue of the negro. .s
Three days before his death he re.
ceived slight bruise on his back and
though no mark was visible and nc
pain felt, he was compelled to take tc
his bed for the first time since hii
affiiction. ,.''
Mrs. Hatcher said also that she re-
greats now that she refused to permit 6
post mortem examination to be helC
for while she could not reconcile her
self to the thought at first, though
urged by her husband to consent. sh,
feels that if it is in her power to saw
others from the sore affliction endured
by her son, 1t is her duty to do so. TIL,
body still remains i'm the vault and al
examination may be held.-Hdin Deal
p1.