Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-06-10
THE IOWA "LIZARD CASE"
Death of Mrs. Parker, of Anamosa
singular Coincidence of In
fatuation and Quackery.

From the Anamosa Qowa) Eureka, May 23.l
We herewith present the history, given
us by Mr.. Parker, of his wife case; also
the notes taken at the post mortem ex-
animation held by the physicians OF this
town, and DIR. Russell, of Monticello.
The problem has been actually solved,
whether or not there was snake or a
lizard in Mrs Parkers stomach, by her
death, and by post mortem examina-
ton. This case has occasloned much
interest at home and abroad, and been
the topic of discussion for number of
weeks. The report that Mrs. Parker
certainly had vile snake or a hateful
lizard in her stomach, has been extern
sively disseminated through public jour
.nals, and a variety of opinions expressed
in relation to the cause Of the patient
illness and suffering therefore it is due
to the medical profession, and the com.
munity generally, that a brief history of
the case, and notes of the post mortem
examination be published.
Mr. Parker says: My wifes age was
forty.nine the eighth day of last August.
She had an attack, something like quinsy,
nine years ago last November, that re-
suited in alterations, and was attacked
with disease of the lungs in three or
four weeks, and raised from them over
two pints of fluid every twenty-four hours.
DR.. Hemmingway, of New York, called
council on her case the same fall, and
pronounced it consumption. DIR. Mat
sou saw her about three months ago. He
declared that one of her lungs was gone,
and the other badly diseased. Said he
could do her no good further than advise
palliatives.
A German, from Lisbon, calling him
self Doctor (who2) saw her about eight
weeks ago, and, after an examination,
pronounced the disease a snake, tape
worm or lizard; said her lungs we're just
as good as his lungs, and no disease in
them; said he could take away the ami
NAL from her in three or four days, and
she would be as fat and hearty as any
one.
First process of operation, to eat salt
herring, just taken out of the brine, with
vinegar, and crackers soaked in vinegar,
for food, the first week; and put on her
stomach a poultice Of garlic, also fish
oil and lard simmered together, and give
her teaspoonful morning and night,
and bathe the throat and chest with the
same-the garlic poultice to drive the
creature out of the stomach, so that,
putting hot milk before the patients
mouth when she bent over like hoop,
he could induce the vile "sarpent to
approach near enough her mouth so he
could get hold of him with his tweezers
and draw him out. She must not drink
anything but whey and sour wine and a
tea Of elder blows and camomile, and
to be sweat over sour whey. At the end
of the first week could not get the snake
would have to try another week; thought
he had not gone quite through enough.
The second week, did not allow her to
drink anything but sour wine, and not
to eat anything at all. At the end of
two weeks, come to try again; milk
heated, and put in pan as before; said
the snakes head was so large that it
could not come up that way; no food
yet
The third week he said he would kill
the snake and have it pass the other way,
and gave her teaspooniul each Of castor
oil and turpentine, morning and night,
and not to eat any thing yet
Said in three days the snake would be
dead She took turpentine and oil over
a week; when he came back and said the
snake was dead, and would pass away
from her in twenty-one days, which was
five or six weeks ago. Said the bones
Of the skull and the skin would not
digest, and that they would pass OF so
she could see them Gave her permis-
sion to eat, but the turpentine had irri
tated the stomach, so she could rot take
much nourishment.
After the twenty one days had expired,
said he, the meat and skin would not pass
of for three or four weeks, and perhaps
longer. Two weeks ago said 1t was there
yet, and would not come away for a
month or two, and might stay for months,
for the reasen that the outside had be-
come coated like the stomaoh, and the
acid of the liver would not act on it; that
it had been there so long it had become
as part Of her being. The following
was prepared By the doctor directions,
and ordered by him to be worn the whole |
time: One pint each elder bark, slippery
elm, fax seed. and bran, putin flannel
bag and covered on both sides with black !
sleeps wool
Before he commenced docioring her /
she was up and around the house quite /
Last Friday she ws
gaining strength a little aud went a few /
stems 10 her brother. When she came |
home and got on the first step she fell T,
from it aud bruised her temple. She I
became unconscious the next morning, 1
and remained 50 until she died on Sunday 1
noon.
ton -. =. - 5,,,,,,-i sf Mr.. Parker.
to decide the question whether his wife |
had been the victim Of a miserable quRek /
or had been treated BY scientific man /
Mrs. Parker bad often made the request /
that an examination should be made, IS
she vas convinced that some monster IN
habi,sd her internal organs 10 the.ex
animation an iRcision was made, con- j