Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-11-22
LOSS OF PERSONAL IDENTITY.
Report of a Curious and Interest
ing Case in Belmont County,
Ohio.

DIR. A. II. Heweter of st. Glars
vile, Ohio, has contributed to the
Hospital Gazette of New York city
the following account Of a curious
case of loss of personal identity, the
victim being now under his care in
county inirmary in that town:
II have under my care, as physician
for our County Inhrmary, a very in
tereSting case. There is no discover
able bodily disease, but a very pecu-
liar mental state. The patient has
lost all knowledge Of his personal
identity; does not know who he is,
where he came from, or whittier he
was going. He became an inmate of
our inirmary about nine months since.
The following is his history since
taken in charge by our countyoficials.
All previous to that is blank to him
self and entirely unknown to us:
About the time referred to, nine
months since, he found himself stand
ing upon the depot platform in Bel
laire City with a little money in his
pocket, and a small travelling bag in
his hand. This bag contained q
change of linen, a pair of scissors, and
some blank paper like that used by
editors. His clothes were quite gem
teel, and the underwear in his valise
was neat and clean. His entire APP
pearance was that of well-cared for
gentleman ready Tor business. There
was ne name on any property about
him indicating who he was, except on
some part of his effects was the name
Ralph. This is what he is called in
the infirmary.
After thinking and thinking while
at the depot, he at last went to the
nearest hotel, aud gave the landlord a
candid statement Of his very strange
condition. He asked Ter a bed, said
he had a little money, that he would
be no trouble, and that he felt sure
this strange mental sickness would
soon pass off. The landlord became
interested in his case. The same day a
gentleman came to Bellaire to lecture
on temperance. Stopping at the same
hotel, he soon made the acquaintance
of Ralph and invited him to attend
the lecture. While sttentively lis
tening, some impulse came over him
which he could not resist, and he
found himself out in the street smash
ing the saloon windows with a big
club. The roughs ran out, beat and
abused him badly, breaking the neck
of the humerus, and beating one side
all black and blue. This brought
him into the hands ofthe 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
average ability; has had quite an ex-
tensive knowledge of business, and is
very expert with the pen. Some think
that he must have been connected
with the press. Others, a clerk in
some calling in which the use of the
pen and figuring was the daily habit.
In this way alone can they explain
his great EXPERIENCES. His knowledge
is entirely correct upon all matters
disconnected with the question Of
identity. He has the use Of his men
tai powers in all other directions. |
made him, after having the best evil
dence Of his fitness, my assistant. He
has put up all the medicine, etc. l
procured him 'Parish's Pharmacy and
in a remarkably short time he was able
to fill any prescription | required, and
in many other ways to assist me-.
80 great is his general knowledge.
and so correct in all his recollections
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, we are all
forced to believe what he says-a man
with no knowledge of his personal
identity. He is about fifty years of
age rather spare has dark hair, well
sprinkled with gray, and is quite a
gentleman in appearance. He has
made himself so useful, agreeable, and
so anxious to return ell he can for the
benefits he has received, that he was
presented with a new suit of clothes,
and directed to eat at the superintend-
emit table. | report the case both on
account Of its psychological interest
and that possibly it may lead to his
identity"