The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-03-19
from the New York Sun, March 10
DR.. DEMAREsT PUZZLED.
Remar. Nablo Effect Of Drinking Water from
Stream Full Of Reptiles.

Romar. Vablo Effect of Drinking Water from
Stream Full Of Reptiles.
DR.. ]. H. Demarest of No $50 L st One
Hundred and Tweniy-fourth street has in
hand case that will interest the medical
world. AT 433 East Ono Hundred and
Twentieth street lives an old intelligent
colored woman named Mrs. Brown. She
has two daughters, Hattie, the ED ,st, who
10 alb ,ut 25 years of age, aided her mother
in carrying on millinery and dress making
for livelihood until abe was incapscia,ed
for work by an extraordinary malady that
has changed her from hale. hearty girl to
a feeble aud delicate invalid. With pleas
ing manners, intelligent countenance, and
conversational powers above thu of the
average Of her cass, she gives the follow
ing account of her remarkable affection.
For several years she has been gradually
losing her flesh, and becoming daily weak
er and more lsnguid. For long time the
cause of this change was merely conjec-
ture. Unsccountable pains and strange
motions that she felt convinced her about
three years ago that living reptile Wa
dragging her down to the grave. This con-
clusion brought to her remembrance that
six years ago, at o picnic, she drank from q
creek, dipping the water up to her mouth
10 her hand. at the time she was con-
scious of having swallowed something in
the water, but she thought no more about
1t until her sfiliclion forced the recollection
upon her. Inquiry proved that the stream
contained numerous frogs and many small
reptiles.
About two years ago distinct sounds
were heard from the reptile, and every day
as it grew larger the sounds that it emitted
became louder and louder. At times i.
seemed to be the croaking of frog, then a
Kissing sound was heard, and this was fol-
lowed frequently by that peculiar sound
made by frog as it jumps from the bank
into Stream. After these sounds the rep
tile struggled with such vigor as to give
Miss Brown indeecribable pain. Recently
the sounds became 30 loud as to be plainly
audible to every one in the room.
AT length the sufferer became 60 weak
that she could not 60 out of the house.
Until within the last few days she has had
no regular medical attendant, fearing that
an operation might be ordered. Under the
advice of relatives and friends, she used
large quantities of strong alcoholic drinks.
These did not intoxicate her, but they kept
tho reptile dormant for while. On re-
covering, however, it was more trouble.
some than before. Therefore she discon.
tinued their use. Then she reluctantly
consented to be examined by a regular ply.
stefan, and Dr. J. II. Demarest, or Of the
chief physicians of the homeopathic hos.
pital on Wards Lland, was called in.
On Wednesday the doctor questioned his
patient very closely, and after making ar
examination expressed bis opinion that she
had living creature within her. He gave
her such food as would tend to irritate it,
and Thursday he not only distinctly hearC
the sounds described by the girl, but plain
ly saw the motions of the crca'r'e as it dis
tended the girls emaciated .orm. His
treatment of this most remarkable case Of
this early stage of his examination is neces
sarily of an "eXpectsnl" character. "Shs
may" he said, "have swallowed frog, {
lizard, or some reptile, when email, at the
time she speaks OF drinking from The
creek. just what it is. l am, of course
unable TO determine; but that for somt
time creature of some hind has been liv
ing and growing 10 her 10 beyond the
shadow of doubt. / shall endesvor tc
gain her permission to 50 to the hospital or
Wards Island, where, If oIber means fail
the creature will be removed"