The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-04-17
A MIN TURNING INTO STONE
George W. Keller, of Philadelphia.
Gradually Being 0ssihed.
STRETCHED ON A SMALL PALLET
He is 40 Years Old and Has Been in
Bed Eighteen Years. Can Only
Move His Head and Left Arm.
Smoking and Music His
Pleasures

1nere IL man stretched on q Snail
pallet at l525 Stiles street, PHILADELPHIA,
who is gradually becoming ossifed. His
name is George W. Keller, 40 years
old. The last IL years Of Keller's lifo
have been devoted principally to suffer-
ing intense pain and reaching. that per-
feot state Of rigidity which his entire
body, except his head and left arm, has
assumed. kellor's case has baffied the
skill of medical exports since the year
1877.
Although Keller is in the eighteenth
year of his suffering. his face has not
peToeptibly. changed, while his body is
distorted and curled after tn. manner Of
superannuated corks6row Keller's all
mont is known in medical parlance as
'rheumatoid arthritis," but to the I'M
sophisticated observer it would appear
to be case OF genuine Justification
The first symptoms Of it were mani
tested in 1879, but responded readily to
treatment. When in his twenty. second
year, in the summer of 1877, Keller
paid visit to Atlantic City, where he
sewed tho seeds Of his subsequent suffer
ing and deformity
1t was warm day in July, and he
enjoyed himself in merry dance. Be-
coming ovorheated, Keller thoughtlsss-
ly wont in the water to cool off and
contracted a severe cold, which speedily
developod,into the ailment from which
he is now. suff ering.
He has lain on one side for nearly 10
years, while his legs and arms are slow
ly growing ossiferous
Keller still retains slight motion in
the neck and the left shoulder but his
hands have become frightfully crippled
and distorted. Tho muscles have con
tracted and stiffened, and his clawlike
fingers have turned iuwardly with such
persistence that it was necessary to pry
them open and place cotton OH the
palms of the hands to prevent them be-
ing pierced through.
The nails on some of his toes and fin
gers have grown to such an enormous
length that they bear striking resem-
blance to the oranial ornaments of an
AnSora goat.
1t is only by an almost superhuman
effort that Keller can move his lower
limbs, and then the movement comes
directly from the shoulder and can
scarcely be noticed
Almost during the entire period of
Keller's illness he has suffered the most
e1cruoiating pain, which lie has borne
with the utmost fortitude. He had Il
severe attack of neuralgia about four
years ago. which took the vision of tho
lett eye along with it and left unpleas.
ant recollections behind.
Keller occupies his time chiefly smols-
ing huge bricr root pipe, which he
manages to light with match stick
dextrously manipulated with his Grip
pied and almost powerless hand. The
stem of the pipe always lies within easy
roach of his mouth.
Notwithstanding the extreme suffer
Ing which Keller has undergone the ex-
preston Of his oountenance is as buoy
ant and peaceful as when no was hale
and hearty.
Keller is passionatoly fond of music
and comedies with the statement of the
lato William Shakespeare that "a soul
without music is neither fit for man
or dog. '-Philadelphia Press.