Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-07-26
Correspondence Of the Spy.
Remarkable Phenomenon
sApAroeA SPRINGS, July o. 1855

SARATOGA SPRINGS, July %, 1858.
MeSsrs. Editors Monday, the 18th, party
of four, including myself-all from the Old Bay
State-left this well-known resort of the invalid
and pleasure seeker, for trip to the Northward.
Our des tination was Chester, Warren County, in
this State, and our object was to visit the wonder
of the age, the 0oman '0ho kUes '0itbo@ eating
or drinking, and investigate the case for our
selves. We did so and, incredible as the state
ment may appear, to those who have not wit.
messed the phenomenon, or had an opportunity to
acquaint themselves with the circumstances of
the case, unhesitatingly give it as our full con-
yiction that she not only lives in the manner de-
scrbed, but that, in her present condition it
would be impossible for her to receive food or
drink intoithe stomach.
The fact of her total abstinence from food and
drinks is no wonderful than that her
vous and muscular system could have been sus-
tanned, under any circumstances, through the Sc
we're and protracted struggle VIII oh they have en-
dured. For the last three years she has BEEN
the greater part of the time, in commissions, in
creasing i'll violence and intensity, the former part
of the period, but, latterly, there has been but
little alteration in character or degree.
When we reached the house, found no one
in attendance but her little daughter, seven years
of age, her husband having left to go for his sup
per, it being entirely out Of the question to have
food cooked or eaten in the house We found
her lying in what we ascertained to be no unnsu.
al position--wth her head drawn back, so as to
touch the spine between her shoulders, and her
body raised from the bed so as to be supported
by her feet and her forehead, which rested upon
the pillow just as person in a natural posture
would recline on the back of the head. She lay
without breath notion except convulsive
twltchlng of the left shoulder; but she COM
menced retching, like person suffering the Sc
verest nausea. We had been told that every
sense seemed to be dormant, except that OF smell,
which was exceedingly acute, and the least scent
of food or perfume would produce such results
and, although somewhat incredulous, we avoided
taking anything of the kind, except some per.
fumery which gentleman had applied TO his hair
the morning previous, the odor of which was still
perceptible. When he left the room the retching
ceased, but invariably returned upon his entrance.
We saw her lie twenty minutes without breath
ing, and were erediby informed that she had done
so much longer period. Indeed, she scarce
ly be said to breathe at ALL the motions Of the
chest are hardly perceptible, and Uftentmes her
respiration can only be ascertained by knew
ledge of the fact that The spasmOdc action of the
lett shoulder, before alluded to, is then invariably
transferred to the right. When lying in the posi-
ton have described, her neck is seemingly elon-
gated, and large protuberance manifests itself
upon her throat. As that gradually disappears,
she utters two three stihed choking sounds,
and starts forward aud commences a struggle for
BREATH most horrible to witness Her body is
thrown back and forward with great force and ra.
pidity; her head dashed from one side of the bed
to the other her limbs drawn into the most vic.
lent cOntortions and her whole appearance re-
sembles nothing else so much as the writhing of
serpent in its death agony. Imagine this scene,
repeated, as it is, hour after hour, and day after
day, and the wonder grows-hoao does the a0ODaan
HUe?
The nature of the case precludes the idea of
deception, if it possible to maintain it, I'M
der the strict surveillance to which they have
been subjected. Mrs Hays the husband, is an
ignorant, though honest hearted man, incapable,
naturally Oh morally, of deception. At the com
mencement OF his wife's sickness they were living
in Horizon, in a log hut among the mountains
destitute of the ordinary comforts Of life In
April last his friends persuaded him to remove
her to Chester, her native place, where she was
carried upon litter. Here they Supported
by the voluntary contributions of visitors and
although speculative gentleman from New
York offered him sum which would make him
self and family indepedent, if he would consent
to have her taken to the city, and placed upon
exhibition, he refuses to make a pecuniary spec.
ulation of his wife's misfortune. Although civil
and courteous to visitors. answering their ques-
tions, and atfording them every facility for IN
vestigation, he seems rather to shun than to seek
notoriety.
Another remarkable phenomenon, which l had
almost fotgotten to notice. is the physical condi-
ton of Mrs. Hays The body, when not bloated
is thin, but the limbs and face are no more ema-
ciated than those Of many persons in comparative
health. The skin seems TO be in healthy state,
and the insensible perspiration appears to be un-
obstructed. Her age is twenty eight, but the
delicate flush upon her cheek gives her the ap-
pearance OF being still younger. Her nails and
hair do not grow, and her pulse is strong, though
at times irregular. 1t is now tl0o gears since she
has tasted any food and she has not taken single
drop Of liquid for the last seventeen months.
Such are, in brief, some of the outlines of this
interesting case, which is attracting equally the
attention of the uneducated and scientific and,
although | might enlarge upon the subject,
should be unable to give you anything like a
correct idea of it. Eminent medical men, who
have visited her, confess themselves nonpluS8ed,
but all agree in the belief that she possesses
neither sensation or consciousness. Although
she is visited by scores and hundreds of people,
the number would be much augmented if the
place was easier of access. The nearest railroad
station is hirty-three miles, aud the rest of the
journey must.be performed by stage-coach or pri-
vate conveyance. There is an excellent plank
road almost the entire distance, and, when you
reach Chester, you will be sure TO find a good
comfortable hotel, and gentemanly and oblig-
ing landlord. VIII not some of the scientific men
of Worcester and vicinity. who have the means
and leasure, think it worth their while to in.
vestigate this remarkable phenomenon If they
will do so, my word for it, they will have no cause
to regret it, c. A. K. PooRE.
The CROPS IN ENeLAND.--The agricultural