Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1900-08-21

1t was death that Palmer has been
waiting for during these years or sur
fering. When he was first taken to
Bellevue there was some hope of saw
ing his life, but that hope speedily de-
parted when it was found that by no
means known were the doctors able
to stimulate a perspiration In any or
the affected parts. Meanwhile the dis
ease was spreading slowly and surely,
and at last hope of stopping it was en-
tirely abandoned. Vapor, Russian and
Turkish baths failed to aid. Applica-
tions of heat We're absolutely useless
and recourse was even tried in wrap
ping him up in blankets and placing his
feet as near as they could be placed
with safety to a red-hot stove. None
of the means tried seemed powerful
enough to affect in the slightest the
dread malady which affected him. Had
it not been for the placing of the great
new ovens in the hospital he would
shortly be a corpse. Now, however,
there Is hope of saving his life. More
than this, there is every prospect not
only of stopping the encroachments of
the disease, but of relieving parts al
ready affected. Indeed, the ossifica-
ton, If it can be so spoken of, has
been removed from his arms entirely
except from the fingers, and his legs
have been revived from thigh to knee.
With continued treatment it is expect
ed that the calves and fingers and feet
will be saved, and that Palmer will be
able to resume his daily life where he
left off four years ago, a cured and
healthy man.
The Disease Held Him Fast.
Twelve years ago Palmer was first
afflicted with rheumatism. He grew
worse in spite Of the various treat
ments which he underwent. Finally
his legs and arms began to draw up
and shrivel, and 1t was not long ere
he was helpless cripple. No thought
Of sending him to the hospital occurred
to his family until four years ago,
when he was suddenly affected by the
deadening Of his limbs. First his feet
were affected. And then the calves
and hands. There seemed every pros
pect of the whole body succumbing to
the fearful trouble and great interest
was manifested by physicians to see
how long he could live. When his feet
were first deadened they were affected
as though frozen. They became as cold
as In death and then gradually stiffen-
ed. No strength was sufficient to move
them, Then, as the ankles and calves
followed, recourse was taken to the
various processes recited above to see
IL something could not stave off the
trouble. Finally, when the thighs were
similarly stiffened, it was impossible
for him to do else than breathe and
absorb his food. The arms came next,
starting with the finger tips. This
spread much more rapidly and in less
than a month the entire limbs were
rendered useless. 1t was at this stage
that the baking process began. None
of the doctors really thought any effect
could be produced upon Palmer. 1t
was a month before the slightest en-
ed during this time, however, that no
Ill effect was produced. so treatment
was persevered in. After this length
Of time a single drop of perspiration
was noticed on one thigh, so small that
1t was feared that 1t might be water
dropped upon him by some means
However, the next day more beads ap.
peared, and from that time on a per.
spiration was steadily induced. There
was no let up, and 1t was not a fort.
night before the flesh became soft and
pliable, although there was still NO
evidence of power. 1t was not until
recently that any power was developed
and then only by constant massa ging
AS the arms were affected quicker thar
the lower limbs, so they yielded more
readily to the treatment. They were
In due course treated similarly. When
once the disease began to be dissipat
ed in them it was speedily conquered
Less than three weeks ago they were
still held in the marble grasp. To-day
all but the fingers have been released
The fingers and toes are now drawn
up against the palms of his hands ani
soles of the feet. The flesh of the
calves has become pliable and soft and
the knees are almost released from
their captivity. In another fortnight
it is expected that everything, except