The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1874-02-28
A Reptile i'm 80 Lady's Stomach,
II COMES UP INTO nER THROAT.

IT COMES UP INTO HER THROAT.
There is q young lady living within
q mile and o. quarter Of Christians, who
is afflicted as aingularly as was the
celebrated Miss Godsoy, tho "Sleeping
Beauty" For four years past she has
been suffering with violent fainting
spells, that come on periodically, and
are produced by some kind of reptile
which comes up into her throat. She
is chokod to such an extent that her
muscles become rigid, her extremities
cold, the pupils Of her eyes dilated, and
tho skin breaks on her hands and face,
and is in all other particulars, thorough
ly eonvulscd. She is only relieved by
the reptile itself, being, it is thought,
partially choked, withdrawing itself into
the stomach.
The reptile has at previous times
been seen by different porsons. On one
occasion Methodist preacher was
visiting Mt the home of her parents,
| when she was seized with one Of the
usual attacks, and the parisitical object
even came out of her mouth and was
grasped by the minister. Being of a
very supcrstitious turn of mind she had
conceived tho idea that it's death was
her death, and refused to have it re.
moved, although that could at that
time have been easily accomplished.
The minister avowed that the reptile
felt as cold and clummy az any other
snake, but that it offered no particular
re sistance when he clutched it with his
hand. When it made its appearance
outside the mouth it curled its head
rather under the chin, but when le.
loose went Immediately down the young
lady's throht again. 1t frequently
comes up into the mouth, aud the young
Lady says that whenever it does 30 i.
appears to lick tic roof of her mou tn
with its horrible tongue, and then re
codes again.
A neighboriug physician las been
attending her during the period of her
indisposition, and has been treating her
for tap"-worm, believing that to be the
true malady. The symptoms are, how
ever, entirely difforont from those pro-
duced by tape-worm. The girl still
continues robust, instead of being ema-
ciated, aud the appetite. instead of being
raveuous, is icklc, at times scarcely tax
ing any food, whilo at other tim, IS she
has very good appetite. The strongest
tape-w ornss remedies were used, but
without any effect whatever, ami the
.physiciah, thinking tho case hopeless,
gave il up short time ago; when two
others were called in, who are using
every means in their power to clfcc.
euro with what result remains to be seen.
The first step to be taken was to dis.
abuse her MUD Of the superstitons that
had taken possession Of hor in regard to
her diocasc. She has at last consented
to have tho monster removed, if pr ssiblo,
and destroyed, as she is now convinced
that her life depends On it. The ply.
sicians in attendance are anxiously
awaiting an opportunity to effect a re.
moval, au d are keeping constant watch
for the appearance Of the reptile.
Alcohol has already. been prepared for
the reception, SO that, when it shall be
displaced, so strange phenomenon may
be preserved.
The reptile, so far as has been ascer
tanned, is about half an. inch in diame.
ter. Of a dark color, with sort OF hairy
coating, but no one is capable of judg-
ing of its length. 1t has never been SO
closely scrutinized by any one as to tell
whether it has eyes, but that, we believe
is hardly possible All that is yet
know Of it that it frequently comes up
into her mouth, choking the girl and
throwing her into terrible convul sions
1t is attracting universal attention
about Christiaua, aud all the more so
because her life has been seriouely
threatened by the pee uliar movements of
the reptile NashuiNe Banner.