New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-28
SCIENTIFIC IyQUIsITIVENESs.

There Is something bold and progressive In the
term scientific cation which inspires the av-
erage mas to roll IL under his tongue as sweet
morsel. 1t was undoubtedly the Idea of advancing
the cause of science which induced the Canadian
medical students to devote themselves to body
snarching and afterward TO parade the streets
brandishing arm and thigh bones IL was this spirit
which recently caused Jealous physician to begin
what was called o post-mortem examination
before breath had left the sub
jeots body. The same undue curiosity
caused the capture Of the young person now e1hib-
tied in London as the "missing link" The link Z"
led peaceful existence upon sunny isle in sum-
mer seas. probably living from day to day on the
nutritious cocoanut cracked on the heads of other
"links. with baked missionary on Sunday, happy
and undIsturbed. until the English show
man appeared. The latter accused the
"linkp of possessing tho "Tudiments OF
n tall1 This the "linK." being unao-
auainted with the English language aud the Oar
glnian theory was unable TO deny The Snowman
also perceived in the "link" an Esau-like preva-
lenco OF hair III which the unsuspecting link took
considerable pride. The result was that the
yretched Link" was suddenly dragged away from
tho oocoanut, the missionary and the other Inks"
and now in a state Of captivity is made vulgar
show All this on account CT the alleged " rudi-
ments Of tail" and mach hairiness. The other
natives have promptly betakea themselves to razors
and trousers but the link" pines In London ON 40
count of q scientific theory,
There is O case nearer at hand, however, which
illustrates even more forcby that scientific in
quisitiyeness may 20 rs far as Chicago or st.
Iouis reporter. man III Port Jervis, n. Y, In
December last was caught between two cars and
WAS taken home In a hel pless condition, apparently
tba He yaa
Iaboring under the weight Of tive additional mis-
fortunes lie had taken out several accident in-
snrance policies and he 10 said to have had an I'M
favorable reputation. For both he did ample
penance He was hold to be shamming and sclen-
tIho investigation was set at work. Needles were
,hrpst 10 the bone In his limbs and deep inclsi0ns
ware made with lancss. He submitted to these
tests twenty eight different times without evncing
the slightest physical pain" The scientific investi
gators not being satisfied, wished to administer an
aesthetics 30 that the control of the nerves might be
DESTROYED, but the subject refused his consent. At
this point one doctor whose curiosity was stated.
withdrew, believing the mans lower exremities to
be- really paralyzed and without feeling.
a conclusion that appears highly rca-
sonabe But moro Inquisltlve scientists arrived In
the interests of tho insurance company. They ap-
plied powerful current from o galyanc battery.
There were two results, sllgnt up"Alu mollou VI
one big toe" aud 1.-The burning of the flesh deeply"
by q portion of the wire which was uncovered
A bottle Of boiling water" and piece OF
leo were then passed up and down the pa
tents legs, but he said that hs felt no sem
sation of heat or cold " For tho next test the doc
tor took pair of sharppointcd diyiders or eapers
and spreading them apart. thrust one point IN the
subject's leg and made deep circle ID the flesh
with tho other This was done in several places.
The patient did not Vince under the test" The
,cientifc investigators declined to say what they
tboupht OF the result. Neither are the thoughts OF
the patient ohronicled
II ia to be regretted that the doctors said nothing
because 1t would DO pleasant to know that scientific
curiosity was for once fully satisfied. Probably
this will not occur, however. until the maus lower
ertremities have been cremated In blast
furnace. or run through @ stamp mill. AS
for tho patient, his enthusiasm over acci-
dent insurance policies has undoubtedly materially
subsded. Scientifically II was q very interesting
case But IL this thirst for scientific inquiry IN
creases no citizen can be sure when he Is saie IL
he wears flowing beard no may DO seized upon as
the missing link - and utilized to point the moral
of scientific lecturer II he falls sok his enshusi
aslio physician may 500 ct to illustrate In his case
the effects of now medicines while IL he meets Win
IN accident the treatment that Awain Aam un"es