Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1838-12-03
From the .>ardanai Geore,an.
PHYSIOLOGICAL PHENOMENON


SNARE MAS.--A correspondent IN the conp.
II, has furnished with the folawinc account Of
an individual, by the name OF Robert II. Coucland
who Is exhibiting himself through the county
The facts are yonehed fut b, 4 number Of the most
respectable physicians and other persons in Henry
comfy;
" has most singular being. perhaps, la. no,
parallel in medical history. He Is now about -
years old OF ordinary stature aud intellect. lis de-
feriHltlcs and rhysiea pecuarities aie owing to a
fright his mother received from largo ,a,lle snake
attempting TO he her, about the sixth month o. her
pregnancy Far several minutes alter the snake
rfuck NJ her, she believed herself bitten ius, above
the ankle. aud so pow rlully vas her mind affected
that when SHE wds delivered, the ehds will wa,
found tn have DO control Over his right arm and
lcg. which are smaller than liis left extrrmlics-
lie can use his right leg now sufficiently TO walk IN
ahobbliug manner. hut cannot retain II stationary
WITHOUT the and Of the weight OF lbs body III.
fighI mana has tie usual number u fingers, but they
are smaller Than ihosc ot his Ieft baud. The wrist
JOINT is looser than usual, and hs hand stands a,
an angle with his ann. His front teeth ate some.
what poiuted aud inclined ekwatd like the Gangs
of snake. The tight side ef his face il affect
ed hS month IS dawn considerably fGriher OF the
night Than OF the left side his right eve souints
has several deep grooves ,adiaing from ii,nnd has
very singular appearance, much resembling a
snake.
But perhaps tic mos, extraordinary cucums,anee
On record, IS, that hsuGh arm, when not restrained
VIII draw Inc lower part TO about right angle with
TIE upper, aud sou euncs two or three but most
commonly only the fore finger will project curved
nj the htst joint much resembling a snakes hes
"nd neck, when ~ the attitude of striking and the
whole arm VIII strike At an object with all the venom
OF snake, and precisely ~ the same manner SONG
'ihes Tor : 81 s. aud sometimes Tor or strokes
ana ihen the arm assumes a sibfatory motion, will
col up, and apply itself close against ms bodx =
During Tins PERIOD, his right foot aud leg becom,
eNched, and n not restrained will strike also. His
ince Is also excited the aug of his mouth ia drawn
backward and his eye Snaps moro or less IN unison
with the strokes OF hs hand whilst his lips arc al.
ways separated, exposing his teeth, which. beng
somewhat pointed like the iaugs OF a snake causes
h!s "hoIc ''sdge 10 assume peculiar aud snaky az
peet' during infancy and childhood, the whole
shnpe oil The snake, even TO its angs. was printed on
Tue anterior OF ms leg but as he grew up il became
gradually oblfiefated, I'LL now theic is only a small
depression where the snakes head was imprinted
The sight oil a snake fills HIM with horror and an in
sunclVe feeling OF revenge aud he Is more cxc,able
during Tue season OF snakes aud even conversation
concerning them cscites him, aud his arm appears
more anxious 10 strike than when To such couvesa-
ton is going on.
Al OF me above phenomena are perfectly indie
pendent OF his will, as lundre ds can testify who
were acquainledNiih him long before he had an y
ldea Of eAlllbInng himself publicly. This singular
beingw BONN ;. Carolina * owed 10 &, or i, IN
the year 1929, where he has since remained prr.
forming such labor as he could with one hand and
oy unremililng exetlons, has ma ntaiued his wife
anu an increasing family, lis phi, steal pecular,-
hes oens considered only IN the light OF common
aeiormity, he never thought OF exhibiting himself
publicly, ull 1t suggested TO hun by medic,
friend, Ia lS37."