Connecticut western news., 1879-07-02
A Human Electric Battery.
STRANGE STORY FROM A CANADIAN VIII- LAGE-A GIRL CHARGED WITH ELEC- TRICITY.

TRICITY.
 The Boudon (Ont.) Advertiser, says
 We have been favored with the details of one of the strangest cases of which we ever heard, and one which IS sure to ex- cite good deal of interest among medi- cal men. The particulars are given be- low:
 It seems that about two years since a daughter of MT. Richard Clare, Caroline by name, and then seventeen years of age, living on lot No. 25, on the second concession of Rodney, was taken i'll. Her disease could not bevery we'll diagnosed, and had many peculiar features. Her appetite fell off, and she lost flesh till from strapping girl of 130 pounds weight she barely weighed 87 pounds. There did not seem to be any organic complaint. The bodily functions were not impaired, and although she ate less than formerly, the falling off in this re- spect was not such as in itself would alarm her friends. After the lapse of a few months she took to her bed. Then 1t was that change occurred in her mental condition. Formerly she was noted rather for lack of conversational powers, but now fits or spasms would come over her, on the passing away of which her eyes would become set and glazed, her body almost rigid, and while in that state she would discourse elo- quently, and give vivid descriptions of far off scenes, far exceeding in their beauty anything which she had ever seen or presumably ever read of. On the passing away of this state she exhib- tied great degree of lassitude and in- disposition to move, and was taciturn and surly in reply to any questions. This continued till about a month since, when an extraordinary change occurred. Tho girl, although still not gaining flesh, appeared to rally. She became light hearted and gay, and her friends antici- pated an early release for her from the room to which she had been confined so long. Their expectations were in vain, for she is now about the house ap- parently as we'll bodily as ever. But most remarkable development has taken place. She is constantly giving off elec- tric discharges, and seems to be per- feet battery. A person, unless pos sessed of the very strongest nerves, can- not shake hands with her, nor can any one place his hands in pail of water with hers. By joining hands sine can clo al, twenty people in 8 room, and she pos sesses all the attractions of magnet. If she attempts to pick up knife the blade will jump into her hand, and paper of needles will hang suspended from one of her fingers. So strongly developed is this electrical power that she cannot release from her touch any article of steel which she may have taken up. The only method yet found is for second party to take hold of the article and pull while the girl strokes he1 own arm vigorously from the wrist upward. On her entering room preceptible in- fuence seizes hold of all others, and while some are affected to sleepiness others are ill and fidgety till they leave, and even for considerable time after ward. A sleeping babe will wake up with start at her approach, but with touch of her hand she can coax it to slumber again. Animals are also sub- ject to her influence, and a pet dog of the household will be for hours at her feet as motionless as in death. A curious part of the phenomena is the fact that the electricity can be imparted by her to any article with which she habitually comes in contact. The other day 8 younger sister, while doing the house. work, took up pair of corsets belonging to Caroline, and on her hand touching the steel she was compelled to drop them with loud cry and an exclamation to the effect that she had run needle into her finger. Wooden spoons have had to be made for her, as she cannot touch metal. Altogether the case is 8 remarkable one and attracts scores of visitors to the house of MT. Clare. Medical men are especially interesting themselves, and it has been stated that Dr. I've, of Thamesville, will read paper On the subject at the meet ing of the Provincial Medical Associa- tlon, which is to be held in London in the course of this summer. MT. Glare is the father of seven children, none of whom except Caroline show any abnor- nal qualities.
 A Eiy.o TnounSc No,,,o-,u