DEATH OF A PETRIFIED MAN.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8123, 21 April 1906, Page 7

DEATH OF A PETRIFIED MAN.

There baa just died at the hospital of Uefcerlingen, on the borders of Lake Oonstanoe, in Switzerland, says the- "Petit Temps," a stone man. His name was Brend. He •was afflicted with the very rare disease known as "myosotia ossificans. " The extraordinary feature of this disease is that ossification gradually sets iu in all the muscles and tissnes of the body, the disease invariably ending in death. Brend was 66 years of age. He was the son of a well-to-do farmer of Baden-Baden. He was first afflicted with the disease at the age of 17. His feet first became hard and almost as heavy as a stone. Gradually the dread disease rose and utimately reached bis chest, hardening the lungs. Up to a few years ago Brend was able to read and write, but he bad to give up this occupation when bis arms and legs became af&ioted and he was no longer able to move them. The tissues of his throat were petrified, bu be was still able to speak, though his voice assumed a curious metallic sound. Although obliged to remain riveted to a sofa-chair, he always displayed the best of humour, and was fond of making jokes. He was known throughout the district as the petrified man. The petrification ended by reaching the brain, and Brend has just died after nearly fifty years of suffering.