Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-08
GIVEN BACK HER VOICE.
MUTE MAMIE DIAIiTUS REGAlNS
SPEECH THROUGH GRIEF.


Remarkable Recovery OF IA Young Lady
Who Has Not spoken For Three Years
Grief over Rtr Fathers Death
Brings Back the Lost Sense-Sbe Tells
the story of Her Affection and Re
coverv.
One of the most interesting cases that
has come to the attention OF the medical
| fraternity of Savannah in long time is
the recovery Of the power Of speech by a
/ young dumb lady. The young lady il
Miss Mamie Martus, the pretty daugh err
OF Mr. John Martus, retired ordnance
sergeant of the regular army, who died at
his home, No.97 Duffy street, Aug. IL.
Three years ago Sergt. Martus was sta
toned at Fort Pulaski. While there the
family occasionally visited the city by
boat. One day the daughter, who was a
bright, intelligent child, was taken sick
in returning from Savannah. Dr.. Harris
was summoned, and be found the young
girl, then about IL years OF age, suffering
with meningitis. BY skilliul treatment
her life was saved but the disease LETT her
voiceless
COULD NOT SPEAK A WORD.
For more than two years and half she
was totally dumb. All communication
was by signs. She received the best med-
cal attention, and her father took her
West for year. hoping that q change of
climate might be beneficial. She had
sood health, but nothing could be done
for the lost sense. The family hoped that
as her voice had left so suddenly il m ght
be restored in the same manner. DIR.
Harris said hat if it ever came back
1t would be during intense mental
excitement. Up to the time of her
fathers death she had not uttered a
sound. He died on Friday and was buried
the next day. At the grave the grief of
the speeches. daughter found vent only
in silent tears, aud she was the subject OF
much sympathy,
HER FIRST WORDS SPOKEN.
The death affected her deeply. After
the family had returned home Mr. George
Martus, Il grown son. was sitting in the
parlor writing. Directly he was surprised
10 hear some one whisper his name, and
upon looking around he saw his sister
sitting near. He could not realize that
she was aOle to speak, but in a few mo-
ments be was convinced that she could
artlculate slightly. Her first word was
George" 1t was very fine and scarcely
audible. She, too, was greatly surprised
and overjOyed to find that she was under
stood.
Last night she stated that the sensation
at first was as though something had
given way in her throat.
THE YOUNG GIRLS STORY.
Always before there had been what
seemed like pressure on her throat, but
that was suddenly removed. Il can't
tell you now glad felt when | beard the
sound OF my own voice." she said. "My
throat was sore for awhile, and had
trouble in finding the words l wanted to
use TO express my thoughts. Gradually,
though, IL has all come back to me and
now can talk as fiuently as ever"
For two weeks the habit of communi-
eating by signs was so strong that Miss
Martus had to make a strong effort to
overcome 1t. Her experience in learning
To talk was much like learning new
language, except that she could under
stand everything that was said to her.
She now cOnverses with ease and not even
a long Conversation affects her throat.
REMARKABLE CURE.
DR.. Harris states that the recovery of
the power of speech is very unusual. and
in this case he attributes it to great men
tai excitement. The young lady says
that she was frequently excited while
dumb, but it did not loose the chord OF
speech. Her first word was the result of
a strong, indefnabie impulse.