Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-20
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One OF the most remarkable cases known 30
medical science In recent year. Is that Of the
Illness and recovery Of H. y. Wheeler Of Brook
lyn, n. Y, FOR the past few week. . readent OF
Ridgeheld, Conn, the home OF his uncle, c. X.
Jennings. says the New York San. Cases like
that Of young Wheeler are not unknown in
medical annals, and in the present instance
there are details quite ss singular rs say upon
record.
Mr.. n. +. Wheeler. young man Of twenty
six years, was in comparatively good health IN
Ill the latter part Of October. 1891, when be had
. severe attack Of pneumonia. which confined
him 10 the house for few weeks. He recov-
cred sufficiently TO be able 30 go 10 New York
occasionally. and. except for worriment over
his inability TO attend 20 business regularly. he
appeared 20 be all right until the 18th Of De-
cember. 1891. eight months ago.
On that da, he went 90 New York and re-
tui ned home by the elevated road. Thereafter
until I O'Clock on the Goth OF July. 1854 his
whole existence was blank, what happened
he knows only through the accounts given him
by his friends He entered his fathers house,
at 4Ol Washington avenue. BROOKLYN about
O'Clock p. m. and sat down IN the psrlor. The
first signs Of something wrong with him were
spasIas, in the course OF which he threw himself
10 the floor. He appeared 20 understand
nothing that was said TO him. and the physi-
cians who were called In could do nothing but
give quoting medicines The real canse Of the
trouble was a mystery. but the illness
finally diagnosed cerebro-meningitis.
AZ first the case seemed hopeless. For two
or three DAYS the patient seemingly un-
conscious. not recognizing any member Of the
family or being able 90 utter a word. Then he
heCapaa hat hat hrss
and could make his wants known only by
signs This state continued for about two
weeks. when he began 20 talk. but like an infant
just learning 10 speak. and he did not know the
name OF anything or its use. The most
familiar objects, chairs. knives. forks aud
other things. were entirely strange 90 his
perception. and he had TO have their
planned TO him
All knowledge that he had possessed upon
the day that he was attacked had left him
He was confined TO his bed for about three
months. ard then was able 20 sit mp In a chair
without being dressed. From this point hi.
physical recovery was steady. though slow.
All the while he failed 30 recognize any Of bis
old friends, and when for the first time his
strength permitted that he should be taken 20
window he did not know what the trees were;
horses and carriages caused him the utmost as
constituent, and the sight Of passing people
drew from him expressions OF wonder.
Thereafter. when old friends called 20 see
second visit he always remembered them. He
now began to exhibit some remarkable traits.
such n telling the time OF dsy without seeing a
clock; in fact. 90 have looked at a dial would
not have helped him, for he had not vet learned
70 read the face Of aclock Yet II asked the
time of the day he would give an immediate
answer, invariably within a minute or two OF
the correct time, to the great establishment Of
the family.
One day he asked for a board. signifvips that
he Waufei n mako snrnaehi,r A "a
sharp knife were given him. He did not know
the name OF what he wished 20 make but taking
his father to the window he waited for wagon
TO come along then said. in his childish say:
me do make one of dose tugs dat 20 wound"
do YOU mean a wheel" his father asked
Greatly pleased that he had found a name
Tor what he wanted the young man answered:
Yes. a wheel"
He made his wheel and to the astonishment
Of all i was perfect in every way. hub. spokes
and felloes being rs vel constructed II he
had been accomplished wheelwright though
never In his life before had he attempted such
q thing.
At the request Of his friends he continued his
work and made an express wagon perfect Of
appearance as il IL had been turned out bv a
model maker. the springs IN particular calling
forth general admiration. He had shaped
and carved them so as TO exhibit each separate
detail. and when all completed and the
wagon put together, many who il would
box and press downward in order TO zee the
springs bend and rebound. though Of course
there was no response, rs they were innexibls
wood.
By this time the young man had 90 far re-
covered his strength that il was thought best to
take him 20 the country, where IL was hoped
that change OF air with quiet would be Of
benefit both TO his body and his mind. His
physician had decided that the patient would be
strong enough 10 stand the journey in a fort
night.
Although not knowing what the country was
like as all his former knowledge was lost. Frank
was delighted, would talk Of nothing else and
insisted that IL would make him well. The
physician called him about q week or ten
DAYS before the time set for him TO go. and to
him the patient said: Doctor me do 60 in re
country. and in a little more zan a week me do
get welli''
On Saturday. July 9. the patient was brought
to this village. 20 the home Of his uncle c. H.
Jennings. After being here q few days he
called his mother 20 him and said, Mamma.
next week. Wednesday. me do get well" thus
Designating the 10th day Of July rs the date for
his recovery. On Monday, the 18th, he com
planned Of a bad feeling in the head. On Tues
day. the lsth he was in a sort of stupor all day
and went to bed at O'Clock in the evening.
On Wednesday morning at O'Clock his
mother was called 10 see Prank. who shak-
ing violently and trembling like leaf. She
hastened 20 his bed, whereupon he sat up and
asked plainly and in his own natural speech:
where am r.
His mother asked him il he did not know
where he was.
''Yes. OF course" he said. 81 am in grandmas
room. How did get here?'
For an hour he asked questions in q dazed
way as to what had happened 20 him. He then
wanted to know If il was cold weather. as the
last thing he remembered WAS coming home on
the l4th day of December. He took up life
just where he had dropped it over seven months
before. his whole sickness being 60 him a per-
feet blank. Today he is entirely well. his brain
is a. clear as ever but the period from Decem-
Der IA. 1891. to July 20. 1892. seven months and
six DAYS, is lost He is still at his uncle's home
and takes great pleasure in showing 20 callers
his wagon, which he has no recollection Of hav-
ing made.
How He Got Rich.