The Shasta courier., 1867-03-30
COURIER.
From the New York Evening Gazette, Feb. 5th. ]
A Strange Phenomen0n.--A Young Lady
in Years Trance.


highly respectable family, well known fol
their social position, which if it is not one
of wealth is that of competence, --, {
daughter of a widowed mother, young
lady whose amiable qualities have Away,
endeared her to her companions and friends
and now, at the age Of twenty, she has be
come one of the most remarkable invalids
that have excited the medical faculty. About
a year ago. was thrown from horse
and for some time suffered severely from the
injuries thus received. Her case, however
at that time, called for no more than the
ordinary attention due to one whose nervous
and physical system had become shocked by
a sudden and unexpected fall. Subsequent
ly another injury was sustained by the un
fortunate young lady, whose case is nov
| about to command the attention of the en-
| tire world of physical and mental science
The second injury received by the young
lady was caused by having her skirt caught
| by a street car, through which misfortune
she was dragged considerable distance
The nature of the injuries received has never
been fully determined, but it is coniectured
that some injury was sustained at the base
of the brain, or to the spinal column. The
| patient was removed to her bed, where she
has remained now about twelve months, un.
doubtedly a great sufferer, but losing moth
ing of her youthful color and beauty.
HER APPEARANCE.
She reclines on her right side. Her right
hand rests under the right ear. The fore
finger an3 thumb of this hand can be moved
at will. The lei1s hand and arm are free, but
the thumb of the left hand rigidly adheres
to the palm, and is not of use n the various
employments of the invalid. Her lower
limbs are seriously intertwisted. The eyes
are closed, and the teeth firmly set, so that
food or drink cannot be conveyed to the
palate. The face of the body has all the
appearance of complete health, and rather
increases in beauty, Notwithstanding the
very remarkable disease, or combination Of
diseases, which aflict the patient.
The other phenomenon are still more re-
markable, since they show that the mind,
though deprived of the ordinary senses, is
just as active, the feelings just as fresh,
warm and playful as when the invalid was
in the enjoyment of perfect health. Though
without the use of her mouth, eyes or teeth
though she neither eats nor drinks, nor
sleeps for weeks together, yet she lives
cheerful and comparatively happy.
HOW SHE LIVES
Is the problem for science to solve. For
four months preceding last September she
had not tasted food of any kind and had not
slept. Since then,. experiments have been
made to feed her, as she has conveyed mes.
sage occasionally in these words &c feel
hungry" Food, however, when forced upon
her seems to produce frances and catalepsy,
and for twenty days together she has remain
ed in trance.
Occasionally the patient is affected by
spasms. At these times the right hand is
thrown rigidly out, the legs unwind, and a
CONFUSION takes place; but soon the limbs
fly back, like springs, to their wonted places,
and the mind of the sufferer becomes cheer
full again. In periods of catalepsy other
phenomena present themselves. Among
these is the general rigidity of the body that
is like marble, and she may then be placed
upon the extremity Of the toes and remain
there immovable. These, however, are the
exceptions to the general condition of the
patient, who is remarkable for qualities still
more interesting.
She writes to her friends and schoolmates
warm and afectionate letters, but she does
this with her left hand Grasping the pen
with the four fingers-not using the thumb
she places the little finger parallel with
slate or paper, and usually in beautiful
Italian back hand conveys what she has to
communicate. While writing she does not
use her eyes. The lids are closed.
HOW SHE READS,
Is another marvel. When book is given
to her she holds it, but it is kept closed, and
she soon becomes entirely cognizant of its
contents. Thus it is with letters. She
reads them entirely by clairvoyance, and
settles that disputed problem beyond any
doubt. 1t will be naturally asked if she can
see everything in the room, since she thus
perceiyes what is near her. This question is
a difficult one to settle, although the facts
seem to establish the negative. Recently,
very venerable physician, prompted by
curiosity, called to see her. On patronizing
her with many kind words and calling her
his |" dear child, to ingratiate himself more
readily, he caused her considerable annoy
ance. Afterward, however, he quietly sat
at distance to observe her. 1t is supposed
that she thought he had gone, for calling for
her slate she initiated in words and otherwise
the peculiar manners of the Doctor.
HER ExPLoYMENTs
Are numerous, but those-the results of
which are the most wonderfnl-are her
paper cuttings, her embroideries and crochet
work in eolors. We have said that she can
use the thumb and forefnger of her right
hand. These hold the scissors when she
cuts paper Meanwhile the left hand is be.
hind her head during the performance of the
task In the same way-the left hand
ALWAYS at the back Of the bead-she pursues
her embroidery and crochet work in various
colors, precisely as she might do if she had
the use of both hands. 1t is quite evident
that she clairvoyantly perceives everything
that is near her; but beyond this, probably,
her power does not extend. Still she is not
deprived of occupation any more than o lady
who has her eyes.
HER DISEASES.
Tesanus is one of her diseases. All the
symptoms of lockiaw are hers, and she Is
also at times troubled with hysteria and cat
alepsy, but there is not science enough IL