He began to make futile attempts at walking when five or six years of age, when the spastic rigidity was first noticed.

His speech was better at this time than later, and a sort of relapse seemed to be precipitated by a fall in which he struck his head when seven years of age.

His mother, finding it almost impossible to teach him to walk, devoted herself faithfully to improving his mind, so that at fourteen years of age he read well and enjoyed books, and was mentally clear, observant, and docile.

His speech was almost incomprehensible,--stuttering, thick, and nasal.

He stood, swaying in every direction, though not apt to fall, with bent knees, rounded shoulders, every muscle in the extremities rigid, the mouth half-open, the head projected forward, and, upon attempting to move, the toes turned in, the legs almost twined around one another, and, unless supported, he would stumble and twist about, scarcely able to get forward at all.