Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-08-02
PUZZLES THE PHYSICIANS.
Result of an Accident to Miss Estelie
Conard of New london.

Result of an Accident to Miss Estelie
Conard of New london. ~
Unable to speak Or whisper or to
swallow food or drink, az the result OF
an accident, Miss Estelle Conard,
school teacher living at Now London,
Chester county, has been a puzzle for
nearly three weeks to the physicians of
the township and to specialists,
The case is pronounced one OF the
most remarkable on record. In all the
annals of medical treatment, there have
been few similar cases, and the in
stances where cure has been effected
have been rare indeed. Whether or not
the young woman will ever be able to
speak again is the main problem that
is now confronting her attending physi-
clans. Although all the latest resources
of science have teen brought into
requisition, the case is still battling
one
Miss Conard and her sister, Mrs.
Johnston, started out on phaton trip
through the township one day along in
the first part of the month. The horse.
it seems, had been improperly harnessed
| to the vehicle. While being driven
through West Grove, Just above Kelton,
he became unmanageable. A man tried
| W Sbutb llIu ul tho iohNJ "hoh no Shf'sA
violently, the phEton was upset and
both the occupants were thrown out.
| Mrs. Johnston was comparatively for
tunate 10 escaping with fractured rib.
| Miss Conard, ia falling, was struck
by the rim of one OF the overturring
wheels just below the chin, at the top
of the larynx, where the vocal and
swallowing chords are attached.
The sisters were quickly conveyed to
their home. DR.. Ewing, the nearest
physician, diagnosed Miss Conard's
case at once as one of the rarest within
medical experience, a fracture of tht
hyoid bone at the upper portion of the
larynx. 1t was found that the unfor
tunate woman had lost absolutely thu
power to speak or even TO whisper
The lips would move, but no intelligibl'
sound would follow and every eifort'tt
1 utter word seemed to cause intenst
pain. Neither could she swallow ever
a drop of water. The merest inyolun
tary movement of the throat caused dis
tress.
4 Squire Conard Immediately called il
the family physician, Dr. G. F
Quimby, who, in turn, summoned from
Philadelphia, cne of the best Know
! SPECIALISTS on throat affections. H
placed the neck in splints, in order tha
there might be as little movement Q
the throat as possible and the wrenche,
chords should have chance TO reunit
as the hyoid bone knitted
, The most sei ious problem that con
fronted the physicians at first was tina
, of giving the patient nourishment. Th
process of deglutition being entirel
} suspended, there was danger of starva
. tion. This difficulty was met by ir
. jecting liquid food.
. Day after day, kept alive only by tn
, exercise of the most skillful treatment
Miss Conard has dragged along th
/, painful existence. She has already lol
s over 80 pounds in weight She is alb
a to sit up and to 60 about, Tut u
I mower of speech has not returned an
o she can swallow no food. A tablet b;
n been provided for her upon which 81
4 writes whenever she wishes to con
z municate with anyone. In this We
she conducts her conversations.
DIR. g. #. Quimby is son Of DR.. '
It. Quimby of this city. 5tis