The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1875-08-12
The Famous Bone Setter.

Writingfrom Conegliano, Italy, Charles
Warren Stoddard says: | have met
one of the most celebrated women OF
Italy, Regina del Gin, whose marvellous
successes in the setting of dislocations
of long standing have made her famous
oyen beyond the sea. You al read OF
her in the standard works on surgery.
This uncultured woman, born with an
instructive knowledge Of anatomy, lives
in a handsome villa about twelve miles
distant. She is sought by people from
all parts OF the world, and, though she
sometimes attempts to straighten limbs
that have been distorted from birth and
to correct the blunders of unskillful
professionals, her specially is the set
ting of hip dislocations, and l be
lieye in this line she is without a
living rival. / had been recommended
to visit Regina, as she is familiarly
called in this neighborhood, to see if
she might not be able to regulate an
arm that has troubled me somewhat
since an accident l met with a year ago
near Rome. The marvellous stories [
had heard OF her skill, the flattering
tributes paid to her character by people
of all professions. nationalities, and
creede, encouraged me to believe that
my salvation rested in her hands, and |
sought her this morning with my heart
in my throat and my arm in a state Of
suspense. | went ON alone to the villa
of Regina, with it's broad, c~ream-colored
walls shining brightly On the hillside.
A maid held the door open as l ap-
preached the villa, and | was at once
ushered into a small drawing:room
tastefully furnished. A portrait of
Pope Plus TX. hangs conspicuously on
one wall a life-size photograph OF
Regina is on the opposite side of the
room a smaller photograph OF the
famous lady stood on the etagere in an
elaborate frame, while a third was set
in tho cover Of a large volume which
ornamented the centre table. This
book, presented by the city of Trieste
to Regina when she removed to her
present villa, contains four thousand
autographs of the best known citizens
of that place. There was also a large
album, containing the photographs of
many who have been successfully treated
for deformities of various kinds by that
lady whom 1 had come to see. While |
was looking at this album she entered
"A very plain woman OF forty or
more short, stout, untidily dressed.
The lower hooks OF her waist were
.bursted, and there was nothing
attractive in her personal appear
.ance. Two of her front teeth were
gone, her hair was rolled into a small
wad at the top Of her haad, long gold
eardrops dangled upon her shoulders,
and about her neck she wore a massive
gold chain. We proceeded at once to
business. She stripped my arm to the
shoulder, touched it lightly here and
there with a touch that was exceed
ingly agreeable. Her examination of my
case was so slight, the questions she
asked so, few, yet her comprehension of
my condition SC complete, that [
strongly suspected the lady Of being q
clairvoyant. She lays no claim to any
such gift was born with the genius for
bone, setting, which she is continually
exercising, uses the simplest possible
remedies, and in all cases performs her
operations without giving any pain
whatever. / had proof enough Of her
marvellous skill. In the hall l saw a
hemp of crutchos, braces and straps,
iron stills, and other horrible aids such
as cripples are forced to seek. These
were left at the villa by sufferers who
had found complete relief under her
roof, aud many of them bore touch
ing INSCRIPTIONS in token OF gratitude
aud affection and as voluntary testimo.
mails to her skill. The place looked like
the shrine of some saint with its multi.
tude OF votive offerings. There was one
steel shoe with a sole at least a foot in
thickness. Knowing me to be an Ameri-
can, she called my attention to the in
scription on il. Found that n gentle
man of New York city had left it. certi-
flying that he had been "cured of q dis
location Of the, hip Of seventeen years
standing, instantly and without pain"
Ii is her custom to ask no fee for Ler
services. You pay according to your
means. Those who desire it, and for
whom it is necessary, lodge in the house
and receive her constant attention. She
says at once whether she will or not at.
tempt a cure. The good woman, after
much persuasion, consented to give me
her autograph. My conscience smoted
mo for urging her when l saw tho great
beads OF sweat starting out on her fore
head ms she bowed over my pocket al.
bum aud wrestled with her pen. Her
signature is ac unhandsome as possible,
and under the circumstances 1 don't
wonder that she has never attempted to
write anything else. When it was time
for me to leave her / hated to go; her
Atmosphere Is wholesome and strength
her home beautiful aud full OF
peace.