The independent. (Harrisonburg, La.) 1853-18??, 1858-03-17
EXTRAORDINARY SURGICAL OPERA
TON.

The Drmt made to Speak.-A few DAYS
since. we stated that burglar had been de.
tected In private house in Capsl street
who, when taken to the police Office, played
dummy and feigncd fits. His counsellor
could not get one word out of him. lie
was committed to Jail, where he remained
several days in the same condition, refusing
to speak, and indulging in "fits" frequently.
lhe Jailor, Saturday, called on Dr.. 3. P.
Stats, to visit him and prescribe for him.
AS soon as the doctor entered, the fellow
had very severe fit and fell on the floor
The doctor, however, noticed that in falling
he took good care of his head, and from
| this and other circumstances made up his
mind that he was an imposter; and, as he
had seen many, and move as yet had got the
start of him, he concluded to give this fellow
a good trial. He commenced as follows -
He told the jaior he was very glad to get
hold of just such case; that this was no
imposition, but that it was fair case of epi
lepsy, and that of late new remedy had
been discovered-via: laryngotomy-and
that it had proved useful in all who survived
the operation; (this was all in the presence
OF the imposter:) } but he vas sorry to say
that about onehalf who were operated upon
died from exhaustion; yet, as this subject
belonged to the count. and would fetch
more when dead than alive at the college, he
saw no reason why the operation should not
be performed ahd that to make it certain, he
would also remove portion of the back
part Of the tongue; for he believed that it
was the enlargement of the tongue, pressing
on the tfachea, tina: caused all the difficulty.
The doctor then told the sheriff to have a
long table, some warm water, sponges, and
a cord to tie him with, in readiness BY three
o'clock Saturday afternoon, when he, in COM
pany with DR.. March, would perform the
operation. Saturday afternoon came about
fifteen minutes before the time appointed,
the deaf and dumb man began to walk
around the hall of the JAIL looking about
and walking as we'll as any one. Three
o'clock CAME and the doctor, as usual, was
on the spot. As soon as dumby saw him he
had another fit. Two long benches were
placed side by side and dumby was laid on
his back upon them. The doctor stripped off
his coat, loosened the prisoners shirt and
vest, placing his head IN proper position
took a pencil and marked circle on bis
throat about 2 inches in diameter lie next
pinched the skin with a forceps. All this
the dumby endured with but little winking.
The doctor enqured if Doctor March had
arrived, and when he answered "Eo," re-
marked that he should wait no longer. lie
then rolled up his sleeves, took out his in
struments in full view of the prisoner, and
said to the jailor: "Seaerch him and see if
you can find out his name, so that if he dies
under the operation we may publish his
name" The jailor found nothing. The
doctor then took hold Of the scalpel, when
dumby began to think he was in earnest.-
The doctor, seeing this, turned to him and
spoke quickly, asking show long have you
been deaf and dumb?" Then remarked
that, as he showed evident signs of being
cured, he would defer the operation for the
present, and that when he got him in the
penitentiary he would give him the benefit
Of the water cure.-Aldany Aryus, Feb. sM.