The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-30
A STRANGE ILLUSION.
Woman Who Thought She Had Bat In Her
Stomach the Victim of an HalIucinatiOn.

A Woman Who Thought She Had a Bat in Her
Stomach the Victim of an HalIucination.
Boston Transcript.
Mrs. Mary Powers. of No 81 Grant street.
Cambridge, believes that she has recently been
relieved of bat which she declares has lived in
her stomach for seven years, causing her intense
pain during that time She states that seven
years ago, while living in Arlington, she went
out to pump in the yard one dark night and
drank some water from dipper. She soon be-
gan to feel pain in her side. and it increased
during the night and continued for fortnight
She consulted several doctors, but obtained no
relief, and the pain has continued at frequent
intervals during the succeeding years.
On Monday Mrs. Powers suffered intense pain.
About midnight she arose from her bed. She
soon afterward heard something tapping be-
meath the bed. and on examination found bat
there, under such circumstances as to convince
her that she had been relieved from her long
trouble. She stated to a Transcript reporter yes
terday afternoon that, though her stomach is
still sore, the relief from the terrible wrenching
and scratching of the animal which has so long
existed in her stomach. is a source of great sat
isfaction.
The bat was placed in glass jar, and yester-
day afternoon it was vigorously tapping within
the narrow walls of its prison. At a glance the
reporter saw that it appeared to be ordinary
bat At times it remained quiet, but if the jar
were moved, the milk and water, which covered
the bottom to the depth of half an inch, would
submerge the head of the bat which immedi
ately showed its dislike for that form of treat
ment The reporter suggested that the prisoner
might be sufficiently hungry to eat fly or some
other insect; but Mrs. Powers said that during
the past few years she had been unable to take
any food except milk, water and few
vegetables, and as the bat had been accustomed
TO that form of diet, it would not eat anything
else. but in spite of this assertion the bat vigor
ouslv protested against a too free acquaintance
with liquid nourishment.
With the belief that scientists would be in ter
ested in the case, call was made on Professor
Garman, at the Agassiz Museum. and he was
asked if be knew anything about the animal. He
replied that he had not seen it, because he had
been told that 1t was an ordinary bat, and so be
did not give it another thought "Of course, !"
said he, mo lung breathing animal could exist in
persons stomach. 1t is an impossibility." Ills
explanation of the affair is a most sensible one,
and is probably true solution of the mystery.
He says that the bat may have flown into the
room through an open window, and while going
about the room darted under the bed and dropped
where 1t was subsequently, imprisoned. II could
not crawl up smooth surface, and it could not
fly, the space being too contracted for it
to spread its wings. bat, in order to
fly, must drop from the object to which 1t has
been clinging, and thus initiate its wings, or it
may rise from the floor by vigorous use of its
wings for short distance. The bat found in
Mrs. Powers room probably became imprisoned
in the mannerdescrbed, and indin that escape
was impossible, remained quiet until disturbed
by Mrs Powers during the night.
In justice to Mrs. Powers, whose face indicates
much suffering it should be said that she is EVIL
IDENTIFY sincere in her belief that the imprisoned
bat was for seven years an occupant of her
stomach. 1t is apparent that she has no inten-
ton of deceiving anybody but is herself de-
ceved by the peculiar circumstances. Her relief
from the pain which she has so long suffered
may be explained as an Illustration of the power
of imagination, or as an interesting case Of
mind-cure.
ence of Prof. Jeffries Wyman, the distinguished
comparative anatomist Professor Wyman, on
entering the Office of his friend, Dr. Augustus
A. Gould, an eminent Boston physician, was
asked bis opinion about curious case His