Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1897-07-10
WAS FULL OF NICOTINE.
rhysioians Removed Two Ounces OF 1t
Ernm IL Swelling.

From Swelling.
One of the most curious and inexpli-
cable cases known il medicine and sur
gerry, says the Chicago Times-Herald, is
that of Peter AIcnl1er. the keeper Of u
grocery store at 495 West Lake street.
He is more than So years of age and Is
the possessor of magnificent ply
siquc. Up 10 six months ago he had been
one of the healtiest Of men. He was
vigorous and enjoyed athletic sports
There was none moro robust looking.
He was up mornings by the break of
day and had an appetite at breakfast
time that would have done credit to an
army mule driver.
Along i'll February, however, he be-
gan to droop. His spirits fell. He did
not laugh as was his won't. His appetite
was dismal failure. The only thing
that he seemed to enjoy was his pipe of
tobacco and his rocking chair. These
were his constant companions. He could
not sleep. His friends advised the fam
lily to call i'll Il doctor. He protested.
Along about the 1st of March u swell
ing having the appearance of carbuncle
came on his right hand ut its juno
turc antcriorly with the arm just over
tho radiul artery 1t seemed as if it
might be crysipelas, so DR.. ]. w. Wild,
physician living at Milwaukee and
Chicago avenues, thought. Atnll events
the sore was treated as such.
Weeks went along and the patient
grew worse instead of better. Poultices
were applied, hut they acted us irri-
tants. Menker was finally compelled to
go to his bed There he lay i'll semi
somnolent state for days. Medicines did
not revive him, nor lotions allay tho
throbbing pain caused by the gradually
growing sore ON his arm. 1t eventually
grew darker and harder and more sell
sitive The man grew more nervous un-
til he was almost on the verge of delir-
ium. More medical talent was consult
ed. 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 Il walnut, almost as
hard and just as black. The gristle was
penetrated, and in the synovial sack was
found more than two ounces of dark,
molassesliko looking fluid. 1t had II
sickcniug smell that penetrated the en-
tire house. Upon examination 1T was
discovered to he nicotinc-nicotine al
most rs poisonous rs that found at the
bottom of a much used tobacco pipe.
The wound WAS thoroughly drained and
antiseptics applied The blackish look
ing fluid was preserved and tested. But
few traces of blood matter were discov-
cred, but the nicotine, III all of its dead
" effects, was plainly apparent. Fiji
teen drops given TO cat resulted i'll tho
cats death.
Within "a hours Mr.. Mcnker began
to improve. y week afterward he was
about his business. He has now regain
ed his former viSor, but he despises to-
bacco in all its forms He cannot bear
to smell its fumes. \ pipe is more nau-
SeUGlDG lDull uSulGllN!u IL - NV O'pAHb
to all his nerves, and he believes that
were he to attempt to use i'll any form
again it would throw him into parox-
ysms. He is the best cured tobacco user
that ever lived and is gaining flesh
since his rescue at the rate of half
pound a day Still he sells the weed,
but in doing so he gives word of warn-
ing to each of his purchasers. He had
been using it necessarily for moro than
80 years in all its various forms.
There is a great diversity of opinion
among physicians as to the genuineness
of the fluid taken from the sack. Some
contend that it must have passed
through the heart i'll order TO have
found Judgment over the radial artery,
and that of course, Il drop or so of mic
otine would paralyze that organ and
produce instant death. But Mr.. Men
ker, his friends and his doctors declare
that it is nicotine. If it isn't, then
what is it," they ask.