Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 April 1880 — Starring to Death. [ARTICLE]

Starring to Death.

Mr. Frank F. Williamson arrived here last Monday from Ellinwood, Barton County, Kas., bringing with him his little son Eugene, aged twentyfive months. Seven weeks ago, while in the kitchen of his father's house, playing about, he spied a can of concentrated lye upon a shelf, and, with childish curiosity, he reached and obtained possession of it, instantly putting the can to his lips and swallowing with unaccountable avidity a portion of the fiery liquid before its movements could be arrested. Immediately his gums and tongue began to swell. He lay in spasms, and in a few minutes not a tooth in his mouth was discernible. Everything that inexperienced minds could* suggest was done as quickly as possible to neutralize the effects of the burning draught, and medical assistance supplemented the efforts of father and mother. In time the swelling subsided, and apparently the soreness of the throat disappeared; but still the poor child could take nourishment in liquid form alone, mild beeftea, etc., being his regular diet. When anything solia was introduced it would descend apparently only to the en--trance of the stomach, where, finding an obstruction, it would at once be thrown up.

Ten days ago the State Medical Convention was in session at Topeka, and Mr. Williamson determined to take his child before this confederation of medioal talent. For hours the best skill and learning of this body were directed to the child's case, terminating in a recommendation to apply to Dr. Wood, of Kansas City. There the father and his little suffering charge betook themselves. Dr. Wood examined the case, and said: “Go home with your child, sir, and let Nature alone. She is the best and most competent physician in this case. I think the boy will get well.” But the father was not satisfied, especially as he had been advised to come to Dr. Massey, of Cincinnati, and to this practitioner Mr. Williamson applied on Monday last. Dr. Mussey made an examination of the throat, after subjecting the patient to the influence of chloroform, introducing an instrument which failed to penetrate through a stricture in the esophagus, which is the chief cause of trouble. Dr. Mussey then desisted from further treatment, instructing the parent, in case the child should improve by Friday (to-morrow), to bring him for an operation. But since Monday the poor little fellow, instead of improving, has not been able to swallow even fluids as well as before. After long and frantic efforts, he succeeded yesterday morning at five o’clock in swallowing a quantity of milk, and that was all until this morning again at eight. To witness the child’s efforts to take sufficient, nourishment to keep him alive is the most pathetic scene any one can behold. - He balls for milk, water, nice cookies, or anything his fancy suggests or he has been accustomed to, and although the instant after he drinks or eats it all comes up again, yet he is so plucky and frantic from hunger that he does not desist until completely worn oot. Mr. Williamson, the father, who does not leave his boy’s side day or night, is a son of the late Dr. Francis Williamson, who died here two years sinoe, and the son and grandson are now at the home of Dr. W.’s widow, in this town. In all probability, fear of results will deter the father from submitting his, child to an operation to-morrow. The* case is a most melancholy one—a little child, bright and full oi life when for the time forgetting the excruciating pangs of hunger, starving to death by inches—and one which is entirely unique in cause and circumstances. WaynesviUe, Ohio , (April 16), Dispatch to Cincinnati Enquirer. Mbs. Powixl, of Campbell County, Virginia, died recently at the alleged age of one hundred and nne. Only nine counties inTexie a *o without newspapers.