Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 May 1895 — TWO YEARS IN A HOSPITAL. [ARTICLE]

TWO YEARS IN A HOSPITAL.

Hemy Hoffman Lives W.th a Broken Back. Few men are-permitted to celebrate the anniversary es the day they broke their backs-and when they are miraculously spareek the occasion, of course, is- peculiarly sad. Henry Hoffman, a patient? in a Brooklyn, X. Y., hospital, has twice seen that event. Over two years ago he was brought to the bed on- which lie has since laid, with hirback broken. The poor fellow bravely faces t-be terrible fate which few are compelled to experience. His case has baffled the leading physicians of the country. Below his ohest he is as insensible as u dead man. No operation, the physicians who have examined him, declare, could be made which would relieve him. At the time Hoffman received his injuries the case was extensively reported. It Avas considered remarka—- ■ ble that the man should live long enough to reach the hospital, yet he has lingered since then, having been unconscious for three minutes, immediately after the blow which laid him low. Hoffman was a stalwart sailor at time he met with his accident. He was then 30 years old, broad chested, powerful of limb and as strong a sailor as there was in the crew of the Silver Graig, a ship lying at the foot of Noble street, Brooklyn. While working on the forward deck Hoffman was struck across the back by a heavy bar of iron which fell from the mast head,' where it was placed to hold some blocks and tackle. His shipmates picked him up and carried, him to the pier. An ambulance was summoned and he was taken to the hospital. Two of the lumbar vertebrae were found to be fractured! Paralysis below the chest existed then as now.

Hoffman was born in Darmstadt, Germany, and lias no relatives living. At first his hopeful disposition sustained him through his sev.ere trial. He seemed to feel that the doctors would do something to restore the lower half of his body, so that he could be himself again. Lately he has come to believe, howevsr, that there is no hope. Then at times he has said if he could only get to Germany he knew the physicians there could Help him. “Why, I knew a man iD Bavaria,” lie said, “who had two artificial bones put in his back near his neck. The doctors in Germany, I know, could treat my case successfully. They have done nothing for me here but put me on this bed. Doctors from all over have examined me, but none of them has done a thing to help me.” Hoffman lies in bed in a half sitting posture during the day. He reads a great deal and chats pleasantly with the other patients. His legs have shrunken while the upper part or his body has become fleshy. It is one of those remarkable cases that medical science cannot reach. Hoffman may lie there for years in that condition. He is perfectly healthy and His cheerful disposition is invaluable to him now.