The evening times., 1896-03-21
B0DT TURNED TO STM[
Curious Cast. c:a. |. of b! 4 Qpgsltle.r I . City
Shoe FisisheF.
BATHED WHILEoYERHEATED
ssiv 4iil ~ se5tss
For Fourteen Years the Hardening
Process Went ON Until Death mt
Last Released Hin,-Nails Turned TO
CIaws-Effect Of Trouble on His
Body.

Philadelphia, March 2l.-Geerge Keller,
shoe -fini sher, whose body has been
slowly hardening for fourteen years, is
dead at his home, 1926 stiles street. The
condition Of his body was due to chilly
baths in the ocean surf when he wasexcess-
lively overheated- The case OF Keller
baffled the skill OF the most noted physi-
Clans.
His disease was what is known to the
medical profession as ''rheumatoid arth-
ritis," and ut first the malady affected
his lower extrefnities only. Then grad-
uaiiy it spread over his whole body, until
at the time Of his death, he was only able
to move a few fingers OF the left hand.
In 1879 and 1880 Keller, after having
been attended by some of the best physi-
clans, was treated at the Jefferson Hos
piau. but all, the skiii OF that institution
ayailed him nothing. and the late Prof.
Gross pronounced his case lncurabie. Sub
sequentiy he was sent. in. 1882, To the
Presbyterian Hospital. and after being
treated for time there the physicians were
compelled. like Prof. Gross, 10 pronounce
his disea sc incurab bic.
ANOTHER HOSPITAL.
Five years later, In 1887. lie was sent to
the University Hospital. and the combined
medical skill OF the hospital and medical
department OF the university wrestled with
his case. only to in the end pronounce
him incurable. Ever since his return from
the University Hospital he has occupied
his bed, In the second story of the modest
little cottage on Stiles street. with his
mother as his attendant. until last winter,
when she died The duty OF caring for him
then devolved upon his brother-in-law. Ed
win Tracey. and his sister, Mrs. Tracey.
During these many years Keller suf-
.ered at times the most severe pains. and
10 add TO his afflIction he was frequently
annoyed with indigestion But through all
his suffering he preserved cheerful, de-
meanor He was always pleased To have
his friends call upon him, and he would talk
to them fer hours at a time. He was a
great smoker, and his pipe lay ever by his
side.
Keller's afflction is aseribed 10 an in
discretion on his part when he was still
a young man. He was about 81 years OF
age, and the almost perfect embodiment
OF strong healthy physical manhood. when
ne accompanied an excursion party 10
Atlantic City.
BATHED WHILE HEATED.
After dancing for some time in the pa
vilion. ana becoming thoroughly overheated,
he. with some compa mons, hastily dOnned
bathing suit and plunged into the surf.
The air was IA w and the water cold. and he
became chilled. After remaining In the
water for some time, he, with some of his
companions, indlniged In foot race on the
beach, and again became heated In this
condition he again took dash in the surf
When he attempted to arise the next
morning his legs were heavy and stiff,
and he could scarcely move them. He
managed, however, to get up and go to
MS work, but gradually began growing
worse. until, about three months after
ward, he was unable to leave his bed,
and he has kept it ever since.
Through his long suffering his legs
were drawn up, and the nails on his toes
continued to grow and harden until they
resembled the claws of some animal.
Even after he had lost all control of his