The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-03-16
DIR. DE.M.fREsST PUZZLED.
Remarkable Effects OF Drinking Water from
Stream iull of KertIIes.

DR. j. II. Dcmarest of $50 East i2ith street
has in hand a case that will interest the medical
world. AT 433 East 12Oth street lives an old in
tclligent coored woman named Mrs. Brown
She has two daughters Hattie. the eldest, who
Is about % years 81 age. aided her mother In
carrying on millinery and drcssmaking for "a
livelihood until she was incnpacitatcd for work
by an extraordinary maludy that has changed
her from IL hale hearty girl. to a feeble and
delicate invalid. With pleasing manners.
intelligent countcnancc. and conversational
powers above those of the average OF her class.
she gives the following account OF her remark
For several years she has been gradual
ly losing her 1l"sh and becoming daily
weaker and more languid. For a long time the
cause OF this change WAS merely conjecture. I'm
accountable pains and strange motions that she
felt convinced her about three years ago that "a
living rsHtilc was dragging her down to the
grave. This conclusion brought to her rcmem-
hranre TINT 81 x years ago. at picnic, she drank
from creek. dipping the water up 10 hcr
mouth in her hand At the timc she was con-
scipus 81 having swallowed something in inc
wntar hat shc thought no moro about IL until
her niiliction forced the recollection upon her.
Inquiry proved that the stream contained nu-
mgrous frogs and many small rcpt les.
About TWO years ago distinct sounds were heard
from the reptile, md every day ~ II grew
larger the sounds that il emitted became louder
and louder Al times II seemed to be the croak
lng u q frog then hissing sound was heard.
and this was followed frequently by that pc
cullQr sound made 10y a frog rs IL jumps from
the bank into u stream. After these sounds the
reptile struggled with such vigOr rs to give
Miss Brown indcsrrbahc pain Recently the
sounds became so loud us to be- plainly audible
60 ev"ry one in the room.
AT length the sufferer became SO weak that
sle could not 20 out 81 the house. Until within
medical attendant. fearing that m operation
might be ordered. Under, tho advIsc Of rcla-
tivcs and friends she used large quantities of
strong alcoholic drinks. These did not in
toxicate her. but tney Kept the reptile
dormant for awhile On recovering. however.
i was more troublesome than before. There
fore she discontinued their u.s.. Then she re-
luctautly consented to h' examined 10y regular
physician. and DR.. J. H. Domarost. ono of the
chicl physicians OF the l1pmup atlic Hos pitdl
on Wards Island, was called ia.
On Wednesday thu Doctor questioned his pa
tiont very closely. and after making an exam
inution expressed his opinion that she had q
living creature within her H. gnvo her such
food a. would tend % irrltate il. and vest rday
ne not only distinctly heard the sounds de-
scr.hcd 10y the girl. but plainly saw the motions
u tn. en- aturc us IL di-tDndcd the girls cuiu-
ciatcd foim. Hi. treatment of this most r.
mnrkahlr ease at this curly stage OF his cNam-
mutton il necessarily of AN cNpcctant' char
gctgr. She may he said. have swallowed a
the tne she speaks Of drinking from the crock.
just what Il II am. Of course. unable TO dcicr-
miu". hut that for some time "a orrglIrs OF some
Kind has been living AMI growing In her. is be-
yon! the shallow oi % doubt. | shall Dndeavof
tnEnin hgr p 'rmi. sion 70 20 To- the hospital on
Wards Island. VIII &c. !! ether means fail tn
creature VIII be removed.