The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-11-21
Loss of Personal Identity.
REPORT OF A CURIOUS AND INTERESTING 6
CASE IN BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO.

DIR. A H. Heweter, of st. Clairsvile, Ohio,
has contributed to the Hospital Gazette of
New York City the following account of
curious case of loss of personal identity, the
victim being now under his care in the Coun-
ty Infirmary in that town
.'I have under my care, rs physician Tor our
County Infrma;y, a very interesting case. There
is no discoverable bodily disease but a very peeu-
liar mental state The patient has lost all knowl-
edge of his personal identity does not know who
he Is where he came from, OF whittier he was go
ing He became an inmate OF infrmary
about nine months since. The following is his
history since taken in charge by our county ON
ciaIs All previous TO that is blank to himself
and entirely unknown TO us:
About the time referred to, nine months since,
he iouud himself standing upon the depot plat
form in Bellafre City WITH little money in his
pocket, and small travelling bag in his hand
This bag contained a change OF linen, pair Of
scissors, and some blank paper like that used by
editors. His clothes were quite genteel, and the
underwear in his valse was neat and clean. His
f! entire appearance was that of q well cared for
gentleman ready for business. There was no
ame on any proper ty about him indicating who
be was, except some part OF his effects was the
name Ralph. This is what he is called in the in
Urinary.
"Ater thinking and thinking while at the de-
pot he at last went to the nearest hotel, and
gave the landlord a candid statement of his very
strange condition. He asked for a bed, said he
had little money, that he would be no trouble,
[ and that he felt sure this strange mental sickness
would soon pass of. The landlord became inter
J ested in his case. The same day gentleman
came to Beuair to lecture on temperance. Stop
ping at the same hotel, he soon made the ac-
/ quaintance of Ralph and invited him to attend
. att fvaly
I impulse came over him whi-h he could not resist,
and he found himself out in the street smashing
! the saloon windows with a big club. The roughs
ran out, beat and abused him badly, breaking the
neck of the humerus, and beating side all
black and blue. This brought him into the hands
Of the police. But the lecturer, the doctor the
landlord, and Mayor all became interested in
finding out who he was They made every effort,
but utterly failed.
+ He certainly is a man Of more than ordina-
~ ability; has had quite an extensive knowledge
. Of business, and is very expert with the pen.
, Some think that ho must have been connected
with the press. Others, clerk in some calling in
which the use Of the pen and figuring was the
daily habit In this way alone they explain
his great experjness. His knowledge is entirely
7 correct upon all matters disconnected with the
question of identity. He has the use Of his mental
powers in all other direct ions. made him, after
having the best evidence Of his fitness my assist
, ant He has put up all the medicine, &c. pro
cured him 'Parish's Pharmacy and in a remark
ably short time he able I'll any prescription
I required, and in many other ways to assist NE.
so great is his general know edge, and so cor
rect all his rCcollectons of general events and all
special duties imposed upon him, that many were
skeptical, and believed him to be feigning. But,
after nine months close observation, are all
forced to believe what he says-a man with no
know ledge of his personal identity. He is about
nifty years of ago; rather spare; has dark hair.
well sprinkled with gray, and is quite gentle
man in appearance He has made himself so use
ful, agreeable, and anxious to return all he
for tho benefits he has received, that he was pre-
sented with new suit Of clothes, and directed TO
eat al the Superintendcnt's table. I report the
case both account OF its psychological interest
and that possibly it may lead TO his Identity"