The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-06-24
A CURIOUS CASE.
Death of a Man Who Had Swelled Up Like
Balloon.

One of the most extraordinary
medical cases on record is that of Paul
Schoenbein, German machinist, says
the N. Y. Continent. For twenty-four
hours he was in reality human
balloon.
Mr.. Schoenbein was employed as a
master machinist in the Morgan iron
works, at Tenth street and Avenue d.
Recently, while at work on a lathe,
the machinery broke The lathe flew
back and struck him in the side, throw
ing him to the floor. He lay there
groaning for help and was removed to
Gouverneur hospital.
1t was found that the blow had
broken three of his ribs. But that was
hospital his body began to puff out,
ance of a man weighing 300 pounds.
His normal weight was 125 pounds.
Further investigation disclosed the
fact that one of the broken ribs had
punctured the pleura surrounding the
lungs and had also indented the tissue
of the left lung. This made an air
passage from the lung cells direct to
the air tissue underlying the skin on
all parts of the body. With every
breath inhaled the skin continued to
expand till it seemed ready to burst.
His face became extended till it was
hideous.
His chest was covered with cushion
of air which felt like a tightly blown
football. There was reservoir of air
from one-half to two inches thick all
over his body between his skin and his
flesh. Barring his shattered side,
Schoenbein suffered little pain.
Articulation. however, became diff
cult, on account of the puffed out con-
dition of his face and neck. His eyes
were nearly closed. Thus he lay for
twenty-six hours, while DR.. John
son, in whose charge he had been
placed, was in doubt as to what should
be done.
Mr.. Schoenbein lived at 157 West
Sixty-second street with his wife, two
grown daughters, and two sons. He
also has two married daughters who
do not live at home. The first news
of the accident was brought to the
family by an employe at the works.
He said that Mr.. Schoenbein had been
struck with lathe. but would proba-
bly, be all right in few days.
Two of his daughters went at once to
the hospital. They asked to see their
father, and were conducted to the
ward where the suffering man was
lying.
THAT is your father, ''said the doctor.
''Oh, no" replied the eldest, lit is
not. Our father is tall, spare man.
That can not be him."
1t was some minutes before the girls
could be convinced. They were finally
able to satisfy themselves of his
identity by his hair and finger-nails.
None of his features could be dis
tinguished.
The patient had been resting very
comfortably throughout the day, and
at o'clock one of his daughters left
the hospital with more hope of recovery
than had been entertained before.
A few minutes later sudden change
was noted. The patient began to draw
short quick breaths, and then blood
began to flow from the poor fellows
mouth. When the lung was punctured
a blood eiot formed. If all had
gone well this would have healed in
time. But by sudden cough the clot
was loosened. hemorrhage lowed,
and at 6:45 Paul Schoenbein was dead.
His body an hour after death retain
ed the same puffed-out appearance.
DR.. johnson is of the opinion that it
will remain in that condition