The New York herald., 1877-09-03
BLENMAN'S JAW.

THE EVIL CONSEQUENCES OF TOO MUCH TALK.
colored man belonging to tho bark Jasper, which
arrived at this port on Friday from Sierra Leone
to the Chambers Street Hospital on the evening
OF that day suffering from dslocatod jaw The case
was distressing one, and beyond the fact that the
disordercd jaw had been dislocated while talking
nothing could bc learned about it. In this fact how
ever, there wide range for conjecture, and a
lively imag ginaon could picture hundred possibl.
ties as incident 10 so strange misfortune. What was
Blenman-for Blenman was the seaman's pamo--talk-
ing about energctically that ho should throw bis
jaw out OF joint? Was it politics religion, or the
economies OF the ships tobacco, sailors
rights? Was 1t In exhortation or an
argument or quarrel? Was 1t In the heat
OF long talk or the excitement of shorts The
hospital record answered none of these questions but
contained the bare recital, 'Jaw dslocated while talk
ing" 1t was a case Of which the public would
know more than Afforded by this meagre report
and SO a reporter OF the HERALD tho hos
ptal to inquire into the facts and If possible
interview with the victim of this strange misfor,uae.
Unfortunately Blenman had already lett tho hospital
when the reporter called and the attendants could
give little information IN regard to HIM beyond .he
fact that his jaw was cislocatcd the said,
der the circumstances stated IN the record. 1--WE
know almost nothing about him., said of the hos
pilal people. "Blenman came mere on Friday with
his jaw dslocated, but beyond the allegation that
accident occurred while he was talking he
very retcent IN regard to the matter 1t was
painful Tor him to talk at ALL aud about his great talk
ing match. by which his jaw put out OF joint he
was not disposed 10 be communicative" 'ls he here
still ?'' the reporter asked. .'No," was tho answer
she went away this morning. promising to be back
again, but he was 50 restive under treatment and
anxious to get away that IT is doubtful whether he
will return"
he did net return. and the reporter went to the
bark TO mako further inquiries and nnd the where
abouts OF Bcnman. He is not here now, and don't
know where you could find him." SAID Captain Miller,
the master OF the Jasper 'but Il is only lh.s instant
the dock "
Can you tell me, Captain" the reporter asked,
Something about stanccs ne the dis.
location of Blenman's jaw?"
II read the statement In the HERALD aud did not like
H. because 1t read az If somebody had struck him.
Poop won't readily believe man could got lockjaw
vnllc talking Blepman was the cook on the voyage,
and he WAS alone whca his jaw got out oi joint. 1t
the Goth oil August tnat the accident hap
pened- had turned In, but was aroused by the boy,
who rushed into my CABIN saying the COOK had lock-
jaw. He could not talk without great pam, but when
asked hin what the matter was nc said no had lock.
Jaw. / got out my medical books and studied the
treatment o lockjaw but for six days he could not
eat or talk spite OF my remedies he Is better now,
but mis- jaw s,iii GU, OF place, and is still painful
for him TO eai or speak"
The crcumstantial account Of Blenman's malady
was TAR from answering the questions suggested by the
record at tho Chambers Street Hospital 1t was plain
that Benman was not having an argument, or even
conversation with anybody at the time bis jaw was
disocated and IL really De- an TO look Blenman
had orawn on his Inauguration fer BITS facts when
told the people the hosptal Jaw vas put out
oint while talking. At the risk disoca,ing hs own
Jaw by the multiude Of the questions he asked the
reporter pursued the subject until he obtained the
svowal from Captain Milier that II q very queer
story "a queer story-iell me all about IT,
"Wel, you sec," said the Captain. 'Blcn-
man /. very profane man. l knew
q man to swear such terrible oaths as he would
swear when angry By taking he meant that he
swearing at tue time. He vas making o fire IN his
cook stove, you and he could not get the hre To
burn. mis- angered nm, ana, the boy says he ripped
out some fcarfu oahs in consequence, cursipg Al
mighty cod as the cause OF his trouble with The fire
and calling upon his Maker with terrible mprccaiions
to let the fire burn. II In the midst OF this pro-
fany that his jaws became locked and this is really
the whole truth OF the mattcr After this visitation
Blen nman was unable to do thing during the rest
the voyage, and even IT would bo impossible for
HIM ~ indulge In profanity except at tho cost OF much
suffering. AS Captain Miller says tho Is a very
queer one, and many pcople who are not superstous
will regard his misfortune a direct punishmen Of
the sins OF which he guilty.