Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-07-14
WAS FULL Of NICOTINE.
Physicians Removed Two Ounces OF II
From q Swelling,

Physicians Removed Two Ounces Of It
From q Swelling.
One of the most curious and mex
plicable cases known in medicine and
surgery, says the Chicago Times-Her-
aid, is that of Peter Menker, the keep
er of a grocery store at 405 West Lake
street. He is more than 55 years of
age and is the possessor of a magni6-
cent physique. Up to six months ago
he had been one of the healthiest of
men. He was vigorous and enjoyed
athletic sports. There was none more
robust looking. He was up mornings
by the break of day and had an appe-
tite at breakfast that would have done
credit to an army mule driver.
Along in February, however, he be-
gan to droop. His spirits fell. He
did not laugh as was his wont. His
appetite was a dismal failure. The
only thing that he seemed to enjoy
was his pipe of tobacco and his rock.
ing chair. These were his constant
companions. He could not sleep.
His friends advised the family to call
in doctor. He protested.
Along about the 1st of March a
swelling having the appearance of a
carbuncle came on his right hand at
its juncture anteriorly with the arm
just over the radial artery. 1t seemed
as if it might be erysipelas, 80 DR.. J.
w. Wild, a physician living at Mil
waukee and Chicago avenues, thought.
At all events the sore was treated as
such.
Weeks went along and the patient
grew worse instead of better. Poulti-
ces were applied, but they acted az
irritants. Menker was finally COM
PEELED to go to his bed. There he lay
in a semi-somnolent state for days.
Medicines did not revive him, nor To-
tions allay the throbbing pain caused
by the gradually growing sore on bis
arm. 1t eventually grew darker and
harder and more sensitive. The man
grew more nervous until he was almost
on the verge of delirium. More medi-
cal talent was consulted. The swelling
did not show signs of ripening.
1t was agreed to apply the lance,
and this was done. The diseased part
was then of the size of walnut, al
most as hard and just as black. The
gristle was penetrated, and in the
synovial sack was found more than
two ounces of dark, molasseslike look
ing fluid. It had a sickening smell
that penetrated the entire house. Upon
examination it was discovered to be
nicotine-nicotine almost as poisonous
as that found at the bottom of a much
used tobacco pipe. The wound was
thoroughly drained and antiseptics ap-
piled. The blackish looking fluid was
preserved and tested. But few traces
of blood matter were discovered, hut
the nicotine, in all of its deadly effects,
was plainly apparent. Fifteen drops
given to a cat resulted in the cats
death.
Within "a hours Mr.. Menker began
to improve. A week afterward he
was about his business. He has now
regained his former vigor, but he de-
spises tobacco in all its forms. He
cannot bear to smell its fumes. A
pipe is more nauseating than asafetida.
It is revolving to all his nerves, and he
believes that were he to attempt to
use it in any form again it would
throw him into paroxysms. He is the
best cured tobacco user that ever lived,
and is gaining flesh since his rescue at
the rate of half pound day. Still
he sells the weed, but in doing so he
gives a word of warning to each of
bis purchasers. He had been using it
necessarily for more than 80 years in
all its various forms.
There is great diversity of opinion
among physicians as to the genuine
ness of the fluid taken from the sack.
Some contend that it must have passed
through the heart in order to have
found lodgment over the radial artery,
and that, of course, a drop or so of
nicotine would paralyize that organ
and produce instant death. But Mr..
Menker his friends and his doctors de.
clare that it is nicotine. eff it isn't,
then what is it? ?" they ask.