Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1883-06-28
A Wonderful Phenomenon.

The expression that it is possible "to
seathrough some people is almost literal
" fulfilled in the case of male infant,
twcnty-six months old, son of Mrs.
Mary Cannady, of No. 2lO Bowery.
Yesterday afternoon Journal re-
porter saw this phenomenon, and found
it to be a healthy infant whose head is
semi-transparent, and reflects with al
most incredible intensity the light of q
lamp, gas, or other illuminating power
that may be placed near it. So strong
is this radiance that its head, will cast Il
reflection similar in some respects to q
pinkish opalescence.
Several experiments were made
yesterday in the presence of the re-
porter. The child was taken into a
darkened room. lamp was held near
the back of its skull and the reflected
light was SO clear that through its fore
head the frontal division of the skull
and the veins and arteries of the in
terror portion of the head were distinct
ly observable. Upon placing the hand
upon the forehead the infant felt no
pain nor Inconvenience of any kind,
and as the lamp was moved in various
directions so also was the light reflected
at an exactly opposite angle.
Perhaps the most singular feature of
this extraordinary case is that the
child's eyes are only partially observa-
BILE, the upper portion of the pupils be-
ing alone distinguishable. Yet the in
FAINT sees plainly and notes what is tax
ing place. The reflection already re-
ferred to is not merely confined to the
brain, but also applies to the eye-cells
or sockets, two distinct balls of lights
appearing visible under Illuminating
power.
The head of the child, from measure
ments taken by the reporter, is twenty
seven inches round the temples; from
the base of the forehead to the crown,
twelve inches; from ear to ear, meas
ured from the top of the head, sixteen
inches, and from temple to temple,
twelve inches. The infants weight is
about thirty-five pounds. Its flesh is
healthy and firm, of good color and very
plump. 1t has plentiful crop of beau
tiful golden hair, which is unusually
heavy for so young child.
In an interview with the mother,
Mrs. Cannady said: "My baby was
born in Wayne County, West Virginia.
When about eight weeks old l first no
ticed the peculiar reflection given from
its head when a light was applied. At
birth the top of the head was perfectly
fiat, but gradually developed in shape
until it is now as you see. When seven
months old its head measurement was
seventeen and one-half inches, but it has
not grown any within the past year.
The power of reflection may be mag
ined, though you may doubt my state
ment, when tell you that its head being
placed near 4 calcium light threw On IL
Elimination upon portion of news
paper strong. enough to make the type
perfectly distinguishable." From what
the reporter saw, this statement is per-
fectly creditable.
''Do you give it any special diet?"
"No. 1t will eat everything that
other children of its age usually eat,
such rs vegetables, milk, meat and eggs.
Frankly is generally good tempered, and
except that he is scarcely strong enough
10 support the weight VI HIS ncdu, Hc Is
in other respects remarkably strong
child
The mother is an intelligent, good
looking brunette, and takes much pride
in explaining the peculiarities of her
wonderful baby.
Dr. Piffard, of West Thirty-seventh
street, called to see the infant phenom-
enon during the afternoon. He pro-
nounced the novelty to be a case Of
chronic hydrocephalus, only one in
stance of the kind having been recorded,
and that was in 1911. ut is abso-
lutely the most wonderful freak of ma
ture 1 ever saw he remarked, I" and is
simply case of an extraordinary amount
of water pressure, which accounts for
the reflection. What astonishes me is
that the child should be so perfectly free
from any other ailment. I never saw
anything to equal it Of the kind, but it
is impossible to say whether the infant
win live many years. It is possible that
the size of the head may diminish. but
whether it survives or not it is an extra
ordinary case. IN r. Journal.