The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-21

George keIfcr's Remarkable Maiady Dne
10 surf Baths

TO SUR BNthts
After lying for fourteen years in one
position, with his body slowly turning
10 stone from a most remarkable cause
death came TO the relief OF George hei-
Ter a shoc-nnisher, on Tuesday at ms
residence. No. 1875 stiles street. niS
maiady was entirely due 10 chiily paths
In the ocean surf wncn he was Excess
siv,lv overheatcd. Tho case OF hciier
haa,ca tho skin OF the most noted ply
sicians. His disease was what IS known
Z, inc medical profession as 'rheuma-
toia a,thtifis." and at first the malay
affected his lower extremiues only. linen
gradually IL spread over his whole poIy,
mil ~ the time OF his death, he was
only able to move few fingers OF the
left hand. -.
In 1873 and 1850 Keller, after having
been attended by some OF the best pnyh-
clans was treated at the JEFFERSON nos
pital. but all the skill o. that institu-
sion awaited him nothing and the iate
Professor Gross pronounced his case IN
durable. Subsequently he was sent. liz
1XS2 TO the Presbyterian Hospital. ard
after being treated for time there, the
physicians were compelled, IKE PIC
lessor Gross. to pronounce his dis Ease
incurablc.
Five years later. in 1857. he was sert
10 the University Hospital, and the com,
bined medical skill OF the hospital anc
medical department or the uhiNeis,'S
wrestled with his case, only 10 IN 'he
cnd pronounce him incurable. E'.r since
his return from the University Hospital
he has occupied his bed. In the secoh1
stcry OF the modest little cottage on
Stiles street, with his mother as ms
attendant. until last winter. when she
died. The duty Of caring Tor nm tn
devolved upon his brother-in-iaw hu"i'
Tracey. and his sister Mrs. Tracey
During these many years Meier .,.'r
fered at times the most excrucia''ng
Mains. and to add 10 his aiiiiction ne
vs. freoucntly annoyed with iEdiSes-
lion. Rut through all rs suffering lie
preserved A cheerful demcanor ne Nan
always pleased 10 have his 1ricnds can
anon him. and ne would talk 70 them 'oT
hours at a tine. lie was a great sihoE-
or. and his faitalul pipe lay ever ny us
side.
discretion on his part when he was sun
a voung man. lie was about twenty on"
wears of axe and the almost perfect en-
bodiment Of su ong, healthy physical man
hood when he accompanied an EXCLUSION
'Ierty TO Atlantic City.
After dancing for some time IN tho
navilion and becoming Thoroughly over
heated he with some cOmpanl SAH hdsily
donned a bathing suit and llInscl Into
The surf The air was raw ami Tie
water cold. and he became chilled After
remaining i'm the water for s1.ne time he
with some Of his companions indulsed III
a foot race or the beach, add again te-
came heated. Ir this condition he again
took a dash in the surf.
When he attempted to lrin tic next
morning his legs were heavy are sur,
and he could scarcely move them He
managed. however. to get up ara 20 10
his work. but gradually began growing
worse, until. about three mo'ths AFTER
wards. he was unable to leave his bed
and he has kept II ever sin -.
Through his long SUI ~ ~ LIS lcSs
were drawn up and the nails on his toes
continued to grow and harOen until they
resembled the claws of some arnai
Even after he had lost all control Of his
legs he was, until about year ago. ahle
nj times 10 move them W draw { up
tis shoulders. But even this n'"tlor II
them failed him. as the disease gradually
enveloped his entire body.
His funeral will take plare this after
noon. and his body will be in-srr'l beside
that Of his mother. in West l.au-u iiii
Cemetery. Philadelphia II ;0-c.