Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 May 1896 — A PETRIFIED MAN DEAD. [ARTICLE]

A PETRIFIED MAN DEAD.

A Philadelphian’* Remarkable Malady Due to Surf Bath*. After lying fourteen years in one position, with Ills body slowly turning to stone from a most remarkable cause, death came to the relief of George Keller, a shoe finisher, on Tuesday, at his residence in this city. His malady was entirely due to chilly baths in the ocean surf when he was excessively overheated. The ease of Keller bullied tile skill of the most noted physicians. His disease was wliut is known to the medical profession as "rheumatoid artliitls,” and at first the nialudy uffected his lower extremities only. Then gradually It spread over ills whole body, until, at the time of his death, he was able to move only a few fingers of she left hand. In 1870 1880 Keller, after having been attended by some of the best physicians, was treated at the Jefferson Hospital, but all the skill of that institution availed him nothing, and the late Professor Gross pronounced his case incurable. In 1887 he was sent to the University Hospital, and the combined skill of the hospital and medical department of the University wrestled with liis case, only to In the end pronounce him Incurable. Ever since he has occupied his bed in the second story of the modest little cottage In Stiles street, with his mother as his attendant, until last winter, when he died. The duty of caring for him then devolved upon his brother-in-law, Edwin Tracey, nnd his sister, Mrs. Tracey. During these years Keller suffered at times the most exeuclatlng pains, and to add to his affliction he was frequently annoyed with Indigestion. But through all his suffering he preserved a cheerful demeanor. He was always pleased to have his friends call upon him, and he would talk to them for hours at a time. He was a great smoker, and his faithful pipe lay ever by his side. Keller’s affliction Is ascribed to an Indiscretion on Ills part when he was still a young man. He was about 21 years of age, and the almost perfect embodiment of strong, healthful physical manhood, when he accompanied an excursion party to Atlantic City. After dancing for some time in the pavilion, and becoming thoroughly overheated he, with some companions, hastily donned a bathiny suit and plunged into the surf. The air was raw and the water cold, and he became chilled. After remaining in the water for some time, he, with some companions, indulged in a footrace on the bench and again became heated. In this condition he again took a dash in thu surf. When he attempted to rise the next morning his legs were heavy and stiff, and he could scarcely move them. He managed, however, to get up and go to his work, but gradually became worse, until, about three months afterward, he was unable to leave his bed, and he kept it until his death.—Philadelphia Record.