The New York herald., 1879-02-03
A MODERN MIRACLE
Sudden Recovery of Speech
by a Dumb Man.
FORTUNATE RESULT OF A SHOCK.
An Interesting Case for Students
Of Nervous Diseases.

q
other nervous Affections but rarely If ever
before this present occasion has any one who had
been dumb for years suddenly recovered speech.
Such an instance happened about two months and 9
half ago and the remarkable change consulr
mated Tuesday last. Medical men who read the
following carefully prepared statement of facts will
be astonished and deeply interested and, were this
superst:ous age il Is probable that this wonderful
occurrence would be ascribed by the popular preju-
dice to some miraculous power apperaining to a
locomotive and train of cars.
A sUNsrRoKE.
The subject is Mr.. Frank w. Wood. Q brother-in-
law of Mr.. J. j. McComb, of No. $40 Fifth avenue
His father wealthy and during the rebellion re.
sided in New Orleans. When the federal troops threat
ened the occupation of the city he was chosen by the
local banks receive the custody OF their gold and
cause it be conveyed to place of safety His SON
was a soldier in the Confederate army. At the close
of the both father and son found themselves in
stratened and the latter in order to
earn a livelihood became dealer in boots and shoes
in the city New Orleans. Too close attention to
business overtaxed his strength and seriously inn
paired his health, and to add to this affc-
ton be afterward received sunstroke
which entirely prostrated him. Paralysis was an I'M
mediate consequence. He soon recovered the power
OF locomotion and at first the disease did not
to affect very seriously the organs of speech but by
and by he experienced marked difficulty of utter
ance which gradually grew upon him. His mental
sensations, in the meantime while they did not be-
token any weakening of the brain, far from
pleasant 1t was not till 1915 that entirely lost
the power of articulation. For some time previously
his symptoms had given him warning that this ca
lamity at hand In the month of May at
the wedding Of his sister in Baltimore, he found him
self unable. for the first time. to artculae. The deep
anguish which the shock caused him could only be
realized by one who had been similarly visited.
Soon after he had become utterly mute 1t was
thought be possible that his paralysis might de-
velcp insanity, and i'll order to be forearmed against
this worst of ills it concluded to place him in
charge of an experienced physician who specially
qualified to detect its symptoms and to prevent its
approach. At this time and ever afterward, his mind
! strength and the acuteaess OF his memory. He
to Batavia, N. Y, to the asylum of DR.. Peterson.
The fact that he i'll abode FOR the insane was
| carefully concealed from him No other inmates
were allowed to come near him, and large suit OF
rooms devoted to- his Use. From that time until
the return of his speech all oe his communications
with those around him made i'll writing His
voice that remained to him almost entirely disap-
peared The only vocal sound. that he could make
his health steadily improved. He left Batavia
and went to Hartford, where he resided until
| September, 1877 in the Retreat for the Insane.
friend named John 4. Peters, lawyer. visited him
there and conceived the idea that he would be greatly
benefited il he to come to New York and remain
here with his friends He was received here at the
residence of Mr. j. J. McComb. An eminent physcians
who is u specialist throat ana nervous discusses
made examination of his condition and was the
first to give the true diagnosis OF it, Hitherto those
members Of the faculty who haa treated TssS
had all predicted that he would never
speak again, DR.. Rucomer Immediately declared
that he would some day be able to speak, and at
trbuted his dumbness to the paralysis OF the vocal
cords in the larynx He is gradually recovering.
said he land as these cords become vitalized
again their functions will return to them 1t may be
suddenly or it may be slowly subsequently.
about twelve months ago, Dr. Ruconer gave the
strongest possible assurances that Mr.. Wood
would entirely recover his speech 1t was
return to Hartford. In last November he
| went to New Orleans, where his wife and two chill
dren now are The climate of Louisiana did not
prove beneficial to him. and after sojourn OF two
three weeks he started for the North. Now comes
the wonderful part OF the story When the train on
| in collision with another train The engine was
smashed and the cars were violently shaken The
dumu felt and peculiar sensation that
seemed to indicate change Of some sort in his
diton. Suddenly consciousness of its sgnif-
seat. he rushed to the platform of the
ear where brakeman standing and tried to adj
his mouth moved his tongue and felt that he was
speaking. The brakeman looked at him dubiousiy.
30 he had heard his voice. but failed TO understand
its import He answered by exclaiming "what?"
Too excited then to make further attempt to speak
Mr.. Wood returned to his seat
81 HAVE IT now
On the next day he arrived i'll New York, and az
in writing the hopeful experience which he had SO
lately had. They hoped, but scarcely believed
in his bright anticipation. On Tuesday
last he was engaged in discussing per-
sonal and business matters with Mr..
McComb at the Office of the latter. Mr.. Mccomb re-
marked TO hun that his general health was fully re.
stored and expressed the most cheerful views about
his future. lie urged him to make the utmost eff
forts to regain his ut.erance. Mr.. Wood seemed to
form the resolution to follow this advice and beca
excited and enthusiastic. He then seized pencil
and the last communication which he made
on paper It was as follows--
Don't be surprised. but when come back to-day
will talk TO you with my tongue. have it now"
| Han d In. McCOnlD
afterward related that he went to the Staten Island
ferry and took Ha SS an oernrs o sr on
be understood by child who had just learned
to lisp her first syllaolss were is she capable
full of himself. and yet eager to make the
essay which might geyeal for him the delightful re-
II hc moved his lips he fanccd that every
looking curiously at him. Fortunately there were
few people on board. he hal no difficulty in hnd-
iur auet corner the deck. Seated stool
near the rail he opened his mouth and lifted
up his voice. Its and infection all came
back TO him in instant. It did not
sound strange to him. He could hardly realize
voice IN every way which happened to occur to him:
II was perfect lie accosted people and they did not
IRIS RIGHT"
The mex, returning boat brought him back to New
York. Brcathless anu M lushed. he entered the once
''lts all right"
Mr.. Mcconfb jumped up. rushed forward and JOY.
fully embraced him. so did everybody else who was
1--WE were almost stunned with amazement." said
Mr. Nccomb last evening. 'It seemed so strange to
hear him speak lie did'nt seem to make the least
effort, and his voice sounded exactly as it
the same. The at home. though.
was extraordinary when we came to town. The chill
drcn Won know had never heard their uncle speak.
They hadn't tine slightest conception that he had
| ever done so. could. IL was long before
they recovered from their wonder"
The past three four days have been spent by
sIr Mood I'm visiting his friends and receiving their
siu. on the restoration Of his voice.
In every respect hc is perfectly recovered from
the effects OF mis- sunstroke.
HARD KNOCKS AND HARD SWEARING.
An English sailor, named Benson, stood before
Justice Flammer at Jefferson Market Police Court
Yesterday with a battered head aud very detected