Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1895-12-18
HERO IN BLUE CLOTH
THE ODD CASE OF POLICEMAN GRiF-
 FENHAGEN OF NEW YORK.

bian Celebration In New York-Dld Not
 Show Any Peculiar Symptoms at First.
 Roundsman Edward E. Griffenhagen, who has been undergoing treatment in Austria for q nervous malady that has puzzled physicians ill this country and in Europe, returned to New York six weeks ago. Griffenhagen was anxious because of the notoriety that his case has gained, that his arrival should not be known, and although he has since appeared before the Academy of Medi- cine few of his old friends on the police force know that he is in this country. The profound physical shock from which his illness dates was received on Oct. 12, 1899, during the Columbian celebra- tion in New York, through an act of heroism that won him promotion. Grif- fenhagen was at that time patrolman, and he was assigned to duty on that day ill Union square on the line of march of the big parade.
 As the New York fire department di- vision wheeled into sight after the Grand Army posts engine g, one of the largest i'll the city, swung out of the line of machines on either side of the street and into the open space in the middle. Three big bays drew it, and the driver made the turn from Fourth avenue into tho plaza with his horses on the gallop. From the press stand it looked like q little fancy exhibition. That was the way it impressed every body at first. Down between the lines dashed the three bays, and before it passed the cottage stand tho driver shouted to policeman:
 "Ihey we got tie bits ,
 The three bays went plunging by as if to fire. Union square and the side streets, except for the narrow line through which the parade was moving, were packed with thousands of speeta- tors Policeman Gliffenhagen, who was on the north side of the plaza, heard the driyer'aery. As the galloping horses approached, he took short run and jumped for the bridle of the off horse.
 Griffenhagen caught the bit with his right hand. Had he not been well trained athlete his jump might have landed him beneath the horses feet. The policeman held en, and the bays tore ahead IS if nothing had happened. Griffenhagen was dragged fer half block Sometimes ho was swinging in the air That was when the big bay would throw his head high up At other times his legs were swinging under the horse's body. Tho policeman's grip was finn. As the heavy engine approached Seventeenth street two dozen policemen, who had been keeping inc crowd back, sprang forward and fell on the bays. The horses tere along fer 50 feet more, and then came to stop. They were halted within dozen feet of the crowd that could not be pushed back any far ther. Griffenhagen was the last man to release his hold. He was made rounds man on the following day in recognition of his bravery.
 Griffenhagen received no physical in- jury, apparently, beyond severe nerv- eus shock. Dr. Charles E. Nammack, surgeon of police, in describing his case in the last number of The Medical Rec ord, says:
 "One week later he was obliged to consult his family physician on account of a severe pain in the chest. He was treated for two months without relief, and then went to Dr. Loonis, whose di- agnosis was strain and shock and who ordered him absolute rest. In the spring of 1894 he consulted Dr. C. L. Dana, who advised him to go to Germany for hydropathic treatment. He accordingly obtained leave of absence, went to Europe, and saw Dr. Luyden of Berlin, who sent him to Thalheim.
 Griffenhagen is now 34 years old and apparently in good health. His case is one of traumatie neurasthenia and it's symptoms arc unique. When a reporter saw him. he was walking in the lane back of his house. His weight has fallen from 230 pounds to 185 Before joining the police force Griffenhagen was a gymnasium instructor in Providence, and he says his 230 pounds was mostly bone and muscle.
 Griifenhagen remained on duty for short time after his promotion and then the symptoms that indicated the seri- ousness of his nervous shock began to develop. He first noticed diminished power of persistent mental and physical application. Then came nervous irrita- bility and mental exaltation The reit- eration of the story of his heroism worked him up to pitch of excitement foreign to his temperament. He suffered from pain in the chest and weakness in the legs. Griffenhagen was slow to yield to these symptoms.
 When Griffenhagen was examined zmonth ago, it was found that his pain and temperature sense was normal. His tactile sensibility is impaired, however. He cannot distinguish q pencil point from the end of his finger
 His hearing is Lot diminished. but he Ncannot listen to band concerts, which he Formerly enjoyed, without pain. His <heart action is weak, and his muscles Nare easily fatigued. A slight irritation Nof hls skin leads to persistent redness. ADr. Nammaek says; 1.-The diagnosis i'll sfhls ease lies between traumatic neur- asthenia, traumatic hysteria and simu- lation. Tho last was excluded by the ahsenee of motive therefor, absence of kirlking symptoms and absence of efforts Ato exaggerate existing slight symptoms.
 Hysteria was excluded by inc absence |Npf anesthesia or other stigmata of hys- Tr1ffa