Daily camera. [volume] (Boulder, Colo.) 1891-1928, 1897-11-13
Paralysis From Smoking.
w. H. Griffin, one OF the Staff OF the
f Cleveland "Plnin Dealer" INFINITELY
Describes tho Effects of Tobacco
on Him and the Means Used to
Counterfeit 1t.
A CASE THAT HAS GREATLY IN
TERESTED THE MEDICAL
.-... PROFESSION,
From the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio.

From, the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio.
The following was recently told by Mr..
w. II. Griffin, one of the staff of the Plain
Dealer, of Cleveland Ohio. AS it is a
strange story we publish it in full:
"My case was strange one from begin
ming to end. 1t puzzled the best physicians
that could be secured in the vicinity in
which I lived. Indeed it was such a re-
markable case, such an unusual one that a
description Of it was published in the best
medical journals throughout the country, and
many were the letters received by our family
physician regarding it from eminent New
York doctors, and doctors from the cities.
81 was always of nervous disposition
and am now. In September, 1899, | entered
Buchtel College Akron, Ohio. The second
week after beginning my college career l
went home to spend Sunday with my par
ents. l was not feeling very well at the
time. After dinner one Sunday lay down
on the couch to take a nap. About ten
minutes after l felt sharp pains shooting
across my body in every direction. These
pains lasted for an hour and then | became
unconscious. When l came to my senses
again l found that l was too weak to move.
Soon, however, | felt as well as usual, and
although I did not know what the trouble
was, still | did not worry about it until the
next day, when the same thing occurred
again, and at about the same hour as on the
preceding day. Our family physician was
called in, and after examining me- rendered
verdict of stomach trouble, giving me
medicine for the same. The next day the
same thing required, only the unconscious
spell lasted longer than before. Then it was
decided that l was not able to go back to
college that term.
"These spells came to be a daily occur
renee, but without the sharp pains. When
] felt them coming on I would 90 home and
| lie 1or,, on tho coucb 7
mence to get drowsy. Then l would become
unconscious the spell lasting from quarter
to half an hour. When it passed away |
would be left weak and unable to move for a
few moments, but | was soon able to be up
and about again l continued to take medi-
cine for stomach trouble, but as the spells
continued and instead of one q day grew to
the doctor suggested slight change in treat
ment and that when | felt them coming on,
instead flying down l should go and take a
walk. So the next day when | felt the
drowsiness creeping over me, | started out
to walk it off accompanied by a friend.
We walked some distance when all at once
and without moments warning, over
went and would have fallen on my face had
not my friend caught me and held me. AL
| though fast losing my senses, a good shaking
aroused me, and I was able to get back home
when | soon relapsed into Inconsistencies
the spell lasting over an hour. The doctor
was called in again, and after studying over
my case, decided that it was not disease of
stomach that allied me after all, but nervous
trouble. lie gave me medicine accordingly
which | took without the desired result.
Another physician, one who had studied for
years in both France and Germany, and
made nervous troubles specially was called
in. He was telephoned for when | was in one
of my spells, and arriving, proceeded to hAnlle
me most roughly. With needle he priclzed
my body in several places sometimes drawing
blood, but it had no effect upon me. lay
there as one dead, utterly unconscious of any
| pain or of what was transpiring about me.
This spell lasted over an hour and when |
| came to, | was told that some of nv nerves
were paralyzed. The doctor said that he had
seen few cases like mine in France. and that
he thought he could cure me. This informa.
ton was gratefully received, for was becom-
| ing greatly alarmed over my condition. But
| the spells continued to come on me regularly
every day in spite of the medicine was given,
| and soon I was nervous wreck. MANY prom
inent physicians were called in. and as the
new physician had published my case in
some of the medical journals he began to
| receive letters from many world renowned
doctors regarding it. Advice was received
from everywhere, and consultations were
held but nothing could be found to better
my condition:
~ was able to get about little with the
aid of cane, and one day while I YVES in 6
drug store / saw in the case several boxes o.
Pink Pills for Pale People. With no pur
pose whatever | read the label and seeing
that the medicine was for nervousness, 7 pur
chased box. l took the medicine lomt