View source for Archive:Hugh Monticello Whitney Obituary, 17 August 1920

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INVENTOR SLEEPS FOR SIX MONTHS

Hugh M. Whitney succumbs to mysterious disease after sleeping since January
25th.  Physicians are baffled Said he would not die happy until he had
completel [sic] invention for milling flour.  Patents come after it is too
late.  Hugh M. Whitney of 624 Clark aveenue, Webster Groves, died at Barnes
Hospital Thursday, after having been asleep since January 25th.  Up to the time
he went into the drowse, according to his wife, he had been enjoying perfect
health, and had seldom been sick during his life.  Dr.  Marshall Baker was
called and putting forth every effort was able to keep Mr. Whitney alive
through a series of experimental treatments.  Later Doctor Nolkemper and
several physicians including Dr.  Schmid of South Broadway and Dr.  Frey of St.
Louis, who are specialists in nervous and cerebral diseases were called in.
About five weeks ago they removed the patient to Barnes Hospital where he
continued to sink.  Dr. Baker stated that Whitney appeared to be conscious of
his surroundings until February 15, then he was able to mumble answers to
questions.  After that no words left his lips.  He was fed liquids at short
intervals during his sickness, and for a short time was able to swallow.
According to Dr.  Baker the disease which has been called lethargic encepalitis
which term is meant to express sleeping sickness due to inflamation of
membranes is a rarity and baffling to specialists all over the world.  Dr.
Baker says the disease is not of the class usually termed sleeping sickness
which was first known in Africa and with which paralysis sets in.  Specialists
are all baffled with the disease, have found no cause that [copy of newspaper
article in possession of writer does not include the remainder of the obituary,
but it appears that the article is much longer.  A note dates the article to
'Aug 17 1920 paper'.]

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Copyright &copy; 2007, [[User:Tdoyle|Tim Doyle]] and the [[Whitney Research Group]]

[[Category:Missouri]]
[[Category:Saint Louis County, Missouri]]
[[Category:Webster Groves, Saint Louis County, Missouri]]