Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-10-20

4 SINGuIAR CAsE.-Dr. l.. Major in the
course ofhis lectures al South RoYalton snd
East Barnard. related and explained the
singular case of Mrs. Hayes, who has not
taken into the stomach either food or water
since June. 1856 Although this is one Of
the most singular cases ever known, there
NAV be many Of the readers Of the Standard
who have never heard Of ii, and many who
on hearing may say impossible" and con
sequentlv a .humbug.' | would here say
that the Doctor has been with the patient
three weeks at time. night and day, and is
prepared to vouch for the truth Of all he
states. / Will relate the case in brief. as
correctly e possible from memory
Mrs. Betscy Hayes OF Chester. Warren
County. New Y ork. wife Of Simeon Hayes,
and mother Of three living children, while
in perfect health, though ia delicate circum-
stances in 1854. when she was twenty-six
years orage. was thrown from carriage and
though not badly hurt was 50 badly frighten-
cd as 10 throw her into conyulsi5ns and fits
from which she has never recovered. nor has
she apparently been conscious except as
shall state. Once in from four 10 eix weeks
the ewes would open, and the lips move in
kind Of whisper, seeming to call Tor sustenanee-
when a table spoonful Of water or the Juice
OF some berries or apples would be given
then Sic would sink hack and remain as
before, for another four or sX weeks, when
the same signs Of wanting food would be
given. and the sane kind and quantity be
administered. Thus she continued ull juno,
lSj6. since which time she has no; taken SO
much rs spoonful Of water, except once
b. fl| tGsl
Of waiter was given which caused strangula-
tion aud had to BE Immediately sponsed oat.
She auuarcntiv sces nothing and hears moth
ing, bu5 the sense Of smell seems very acute,
as a t,erson cannot enter the room with q
piece OF bread WithoU; her showing .ns OF
nausea; neither can person Just alter
eating. enter the room without producing
the sane ELECT Her body has Just warmth
enough in il to prevent the blood from con
gcaliug the pulse beats regularly, but so
family as 70 be imqcrceptiblo, ranging from
jS o. o.. and her breathing is also nearly
imverccptbic, tle breath only going 10 tie
upper lobcs of the lungs. All this time her
ielI arm has been drawn so tightly against
the breast that the attempt o. lIit 1t raises
the body irom toe bed Once in twenty
fouIs hours. and someti mes ottcncr, she has
what is termed a ft. throwing her head back
so that her forehead comes upon the pillow.
then throwing up her body so as to Iest
wholly upon the head and fecr. remaining
IN that condition from five minute, 90 an
hour and quarter These ft- always occur
IN the daytime The hair and rails have
not grown particle during these sixteen
ycars-she has undergone 10 change, she
has not even grown old, for tie positive and
negative galvanic action both being suspend
ed. the s,stcm nci.hor taxes 1n or throws oi,
hence the body is NOT Ike ours. changing
and growing oii. Consequently shc may IT,
main in thar statca hundred or even thousand
years and then be vcsuscitated and she would
ha the same Mrs Hayes. aud b~t twen-y-,ix
wears of age. -. e.. 'ta3aao-. Sand
ara.