The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-03-06
From the New York Times. |

From the New York Times
Some publicity has recently been given
to facts which for several months past have
beer familiar to many families i'll Brooklyn,
respecting the inexplicable peculiarities OF
of Miss Mary ---, who has been afflicted,
and is still suffering from disease, and who
presents a study not only for the medical
faculty, bnt for students in medical science.
Aboat year ago this young lady had the
misfortune to he thrown from horse, and
receive severe injuries in consequence, but
SO fur recovered as to be able to walk aud
/ ride; TOUT for exercise. On one of the oc-
casidns when she was riding in car, as
she attempted to step to the street, her
Ehoop-skirt caught, and she was thrown
dowa and dragged some distance, receiving
very; severe injuries which clused appre-
tensions that she wonld lose her life. She
was taken to her mothers residence, where
she hassince remained, and where every pos.
sible tenderness and attention were lavished
upon her; and though many physicians
have seen her and several friends, yet the
history of the ease, which may be regarded
as extremely important to science, has been
hitherto valid from the public-publicity
being the last thing that the family, Of
which the young lady is a most estimable
daughter, would desire. The very great
Importance Of the case, Notwithstanding
it's marvellous character, must be the excuse
for breaking silence upon the facts.
It appears that Miss Mary after
being taken home, was sufferer from
sevefo spasns, after which she reclined on
her right side, with her right hand
under the back Of her right ear. The left
hand was at liberty, and one OF the lower
/ limbs was twisted around the other, and
the toes being somewhat near each other
In this condition the patient remained, hel
eyelids and teeth closed SO that the
physicians were of the opinion that lock.
Jaw had set in. The patient not only took
no food and no drink, but she did not sleep
! Her eyes were closed, but her mind was
always awake. The variation from these
conditions and posture were only during
spasms, when the limbs were set at liberty
/ for moment, and then few back to theil
wontod places. Wilhelm the ordinary posi-
ton and unaffected by spaslns, the patient
soon began to display remarkable powers
lWlllCIl Will NO COtIkuCuOAuCO NlCA luCy
have been described. She wrote with hel
left hand to her friends, and never failed to
write on the blue ruled lines of the paper
with the same ease as if she had the use Of
her eyes. Her letters to her friends and
Ischoolmates are cheerful compositions
written in elegant Italian back hand, al
though the use Of the thumb of the left
hand is denied to her. The pen has al.
ways been taken by the forefnger and
firmly grasped, the little finger and the
j edge Of the hand being parallel to the pa.
per. These letters have been familiarly
signed 'MoLIlE," and breathe no complaint
at her sufferings. This young girl, how.
ever, has not been deserted by nature al
together and left to be pitied. She has
been able to call up the deepest interest
because she seems to be gifted with clair
yoyance to remarkable degree. Sht
crochets, and that, too, in colors. Tht
materials are placed at the back Of hel
head, when she uses the thumb and fore
, finger Of her right hand and her left hant
in producing very handsome results. Sht
can crotchet thus, at the back of her head
without making any mistake in the colors
as we'll as any young lady who has the use
4 OF vision and her two hands. She can alst
i cut beautifully in paper, and do embroidery
work. and in this way she finds boil
employh. cut and amusement, Anothel
faculty. thai she possesses is that of read
/ inc any book without ever opening it. I
/ seems. however, that it must be near her
4 or that she must toucllit. Apublished re
port saws that she does not see in this wa.
/ everything in the room. This is possible
and even probable; but it seems that SIN
can see without the use Of her eyes, any
{ thing that is near her. Our informant, VIII
! is we'll known in this community, aver
j that there is no doubt of her complete
power Of clairyoyance, although he ha
i never heretofore been satisfied that any
case has been we'll authenticated, and h,
4 has called the attention Of Prof. Agassiz Il
/ the subject, in the hope that some scientit
4 ic report, beyond the question of doubt
may he made upon the facts.
i The latest condition of the patient yarie
somewhat from that in which she has bee,
for many months. About Christmas sh
fell into a trance that lasted twenty days
and since that time Lo1es have been enter
tanned that some nourishment is given t.
her, but the physician in attendance state
tha1 ~ Ml 10 lo sss ..nu urn 4sI.en anu e.
nn0 .n ,,,nntbs w e'1u " A''0 a>S> =
nilu I niyn .aa.,, ,.c b,e M
~ WI nat!laliy NC ashcu u s!io "''s T =;
pec ,I =, ein LA, rom sucn las1Ing 10
Woala ~ sne usual anleaehcs, pus III =,
case sue presents rIs picture ai1ogetner th'
ievelse. ono mas grown more nandsomt
anu a: appal ~ nole ~. neai'ny curing nel
ulsease' ~ s,ghs ., ~ nealtn marx nel
cneeKs; AS sue REGIMES upon ler ngn'
, arm, Wnen not engaged III her employment
sne might DC regarded as IN 0 gentle sleep
one IS not pleased with the visits Q
PHYSICIANS, DnI sne Is grained TO nave tn
presence OF friends The question OF re
nonrishment lately gives : i;ttIe hone e.
is attended by one Of the most eminen
, physicians Of Brooklyn, who states tina
] while she is i'll it is impossible to give an,
opinion as to the direct cause Of thi
peculiar malay. It is certain that at on
pel.o st, IRON me ls.n OF september mt
and that Snr;n " tbat +m. aha u slsp'
her ennlovment and hook , a. u tbo,ah n'u nos
sessing ali her faculties. -
) So wonderful a ease as this Of course i
liable to be received as report Of imagina