Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-07-16
WIFE AND HUSB AND
Struek Dumb-A Case so Peculiar and
Mysterious in its Nature as to be
Puzzle to Scientists.

Cincinnati Enquirer, Friday: A case SO
peculat and mysterious in It's nature as 10 SET
science at fault has iust lseen brought TO tie
notice of the medical fratsrIits ut this city
1t is a case of man and woman al a9par-
emily good health being suddenly and with
out previous warning visited with the terrible
aiii iction of loss of speech, and all the re-
sources Of medical science proving unavailing
to even find out the cause of the deprivation.
The victims Of this new and strange calamity
are Mr.. Peter Lavelle and his wife, the pro-
prietors Of restaurant at No. los Central
avenue. Mr.. Layelle is an irishrran who has
only been about four months IN the country,
and has lately purchased the business he is
now ID. His wife and brother assist him,
and it was after lard DAYS work, on Friday
last, that Mrs. Lavelle was STRICKEN IN such
an unfortunate manner. She had retired to
rest on that evening in apparent good health,
but on awaking Saturday morning she
found herself stricken dumb and unable to
utter sound. She aroused her husband,
who soon discovered her condition, and hastl-
Iy srmmond d physician, WHO, on arrival,
found himself unable TO do anything for her
relief. Several other physicians were then
called in, among them Drs. Schootield, FAIR
child, Emery and other medical men OF prom
inence, but all alike were unable to deter
mine the nature O. the disease. Mrs. Layelle
seemed to suffer no pain III 5ry portion OF
her body, and was able to move aroGut, but
remained speechless, her tongue being COW
cred with thick, black coating, and hen eyes
swollen and inhamed. After being treated
for couple of days in the city, sic was re-
moved for the benefit of purer air to her SIS
ter's home IN Covingtop, where she is now
in an extremely feeble condition, as she can
not take any food, her only sustenance being
little milk, which she swallows with ex-
treme difficulty. Strange to say Mr. Lavelle
u, torn
complaint on Monday afternoon in as sudden
a manner. He had been writing letter to
friend, telling him of the strange happen
ing to his wife; and feeling drowsy sat down
in a chair outside the door, where he soon
fell into doze, but on waking, less than
FIVE minutes afterward, he also found himself
unable to articulate a word. He soon con-
veyed information of his condition to his
brother, and medical attendance was sum-
moned, but, as in the case Of his wife, II
proved of no avail, He was also removed to
his wife's sisters house, in Coyington, but
by Yesterday afternoon he had almost entire
ly recovered his speech and was able to at
tend to his business. An Enquirer reporter
. saw him vest erday and obtained the above
facts from him, but he could give no explain
alton of the case. He had never been
troubled similarly nor had his wife, though
the latter had suffered from some kind OF a
paralytic stroke a couple of weeks before
His feelings while speechless he described a'
something horrible. A heavy weight APP
| peared to lay on his chest, aud all the blooC
| in MS body seemed to be running to his heaC
until his eyes would bulge out and he would
| feel as if the strain could not continue much
! longer without something breaking. Wher
he would lay down a feeling of oppression
would come over him and he would feel as i
unless he got up he would suffocate. f on
the signs made by his wife since her ffilctlol
he imagines she suffers in similar manner
| Taken altogether the case is one of pecuia
interest, and will afford good scope for inves
tigation at the hands of the medical frater
nifty of the city.