The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-08-04
IN A TRANCE.
Sadie Hunter Seized With n Cataleptic Fit
Which Caused Excitement in the
Neinhborhood.

Night before last Dr. McClees was hastily
summoned to the bone of w. G. Henrick,
2ll South Patti avenue, to render profes-
sional services to Miss Sadie Hunter, and
| when he arrived there he found ali the
women in the eighborhood congregated
| there and all of them greatly excited, for
| it was a case neither one of them had ever
seen before On the carpet laid the form
of Miss Hunter as rigid as death itself
could make her. Luckily DR.. McClees
studied under probably the greatest au-
| thorlty on nervous diseases in this country
DIR. Miils-and having seen two cases of
cataleptic fits in the college he concluded
at once what the matter was. He exam
ined her pulse and respiration and found
them nearly normal.
He procured some ice and rubbed it to
the spinal column but it had no effect. He
then put pin points into the flesh and still
there was no sensibiiity manifested. He
then laid back on his chair and did moth
ing to the great establishment of the excit-
ed spectators who naturally considered
him a cold blooded physician. To ailay
their apprehension he told them that there
was no necessity for treatment, that the
girl would be all right in time. which as
tonished the spectators still more He
then explained TO them that she had a
cateleptic fit and proved it to them by the
usual signs. When a person has been
seized by "A cataleptic fit his hands or feet
can be placed in any conceivable position
and they will stay in that position
until the fit is over. For instance the
hand can be lifted high above the body
and when it is let go gravitation has 10
influence over is and it will stay in that
position till the nerves relax. The doctor
gave practical illustration of this and of
course the spectators were more as
tonished than ever. From the examina-
ton he made he felt pretty sure that the
young lady had been similarly attacked
before and when her father arrived he
stated that she had a slight fit some
months ago. The doctor after assuring
those present that there was no danger of
the young lady's life returned home.
While he was there the eyes were closed
but soon after the eyelids opened
revealing very much debated pupils
aud the body being still
rigid the people were, of Course, more
sstonished than ever. After several hours
the nerves relaxed and the young lady be-
came well enough TO be taken home 10
Mossman's addition. a reporter OF the
EAGLE called at the house yesterday after
nooa and found her sitting up apparently
well. She stated that she could remember
nothing while she WIS in the ''sezuren
but that she recollected falling. Hers is
the first case of catslepsy that has ever &C.
Cured in Wichita and is naturally caus-
ing interest among the medical profession
as very few OF them have ever seen case
OF it. Even such an experienced man as
DR.. Hammond of Philadelphia has only
seen ten Cases OF it.in his whole life time
although he is one OF the best known
writers on the subject. There Is
very slight difference between csta
lepsy and trance, although the for
mer is usually known by the latter name.
Il is hereditary trouble and has lis OH
gin in the brain and spinal cord. When
ever a case OF is appears investigation wil!
demonstrate that some immediate relative
has Deen afflicted with insanity or some
other serious nervous trouble. Daring
the seizure an iron at white heal can De
placed ia contact with the body and tie
patisut will not feel its effects. Ia some
cases the eyes are gently closed whils ii
others they are wide opea, bus IL ID case
does the patient have any recollection or
knowledge OF what is going on, although
the train OF thought can De taken up which
WAS occupying the mind before the SEIZURE
took place. There are some cases On rrc-
ord where the eve recognized light parsed
over the pupil OF II and stse patient alter
ward described its effect a. resembling
the fight of an snyei across the vision.
Altogether ii is oae Of the mosr peculiar
diseases known TO The medical profession
and one that doctor may 10. run across
in City years practice
Today Is the closing day OF the teachers
institute aud il IS expected thst there VIII