The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-02
"PETRIFIED MAN" DEAD.
George IxeIIer's Remarkable Malay
Due 10 Surf Baths.
From the Philadelphia Record

From the Philadelphia Record.
After living for fourteen years IN one
nosition. with his body slowly turning
10 stone from a most remarkable cause
doth came to the relief of George KEEL
Ter a shoe fnisher, on Tuesday, at his
residence. No. 1875 Stiles street His
maiadv was entirely due to chilly baths
an the ocean surf when he was excess
sively overheated. The case OF Keller
bafled the skill of the most noted physl-
clans HIS disease was what Is known
10 The medical profession as 'rheuma-
toid arthritis." and at first the malady
affected his lower extremities only. Ihen
gradually it spread over his Whole Dody'
until, at the time of his death, ne was
only able to move a few fingers of the
left hand.
been attended by some of the best physi-
clans. was treated at the Jefferson Hos
pltal but all the skill of that institu-
lion availed him nothing, and the late
Prof. Gross pronounced his case incura-
Bile. Subsequently he was sent in 1882,
to the Presbyterian Hospital. and, after
being treated for a time there, the ply
sicfans were compelled, like Prof. Gross,
TO pronounce his disease incurable.
Five years later, in 1887, he was sent to
the University hospital, and the com
bined 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
from the L University hospital ne mas
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, Edwin Tracey, and his sis
ter Mrs. Tracey.
During these many years Keller suffered
at times the most eXcruciattng pains, and
10 add to his afIlction 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 for hours at a time. He was
a great smoker and his faithful pipe lay
Kelier's affection is ascribed to an indis-
erection on his part when he was still
young man. He was about q years of age
strong, healthy physical manhood wnen
he accompanied an excursion party 10 At
lantic City.
After dancing for some time in the pa
vilion and becoming thoroughly overhead
ed he with some companions hastily DOM
ed bathing suit and plunged into the SURF:
The air was raw and the water cold and
he became chilled. After remaining In the
water for some time he with some of his
ompanions INDUCED In foot race on the
beach and again became heated. In this
condition he again took a 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 man
aged however 70 get up ana 20 70 ms
until, about three months afterward. he
was unable to leave his bed, and he has
kept II ever since.
Through his long suffering his legs were
drawn up and the nails on his toes con-
tinued to grow and harden until they re-
sembled the claws OF some animal Even
after he had lost all control Of his legs he
was, until about year ago. able at times
to move them by drawing up his should
ers. But even this motion ~ them failed
him. as the disease gradually enveloped
his entire body.