The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-04-26
A Human Magnet.

Late in August last, while taking .
vacation in a country town, says DIR,
E. II. Root in The Medical Reporter,
heard of a ease that was causing con-
siderable discussion and woBderment
among the people. The child Is term
ed ''human magnet by the believers
in and practicers of magnetic rubbings,
while the spiritualists declare the child
Il chosen medium. MY curiosity be-
came aroused, and / asked permission
to see this wonderful prodigy; Per-
mission was granted, and l saw the
child at two different times, making
my visits some days apart. found .
pretty delicate child. Dolly c.. aged 81
years, an only child; blonde, with a
pale and rather waxy complexion.
Her manner of speech and conduct
were characterized by womanly
grace much in advance of her tender
years.
Last February the phenomenon l
described was first noticed. While
playing with some spoons the mother
was surprised to see her arranging them
on her finger tips, where they hung
with perfect ease. She will place the
palmar surface of the finger tips in the
concavity of the spoon-bowl near the
end, and lift from the holder, one by
one. without otherwise touching them,
until a spoon is suspended from each
finger tip. If the spoons do not strike
too violently against each other she
will carry them about the room with
out dropping them.
examined the case in various ways.
First l tried four teaspoons with a
magnet-one pure silver, one pewter,
one triple-plated, and one single-plated
or washed. The pure silver or pewter
spoons were not influenced by the mag
net, the heavier plated was only partly
raised. while the washed spoon was
raised entirely off the table. L carried
these four spoons with me, for the
child to exercise her anomalous power
of prehension upon. Each one was
suspended with equal ease except the
one of pure silver. This one was
iohtest in weight and the bowl was
considerably flatter than any of the
other three. But after arranging ii
upon her finger a few times she sue
ceeded in making it ,''stick." Asking
her to put two fingers upon the spoon
bowls, found a very appreciable re-
siStancc in taking it off. The spoons
would hang from the tip of the nose
and chin with as much security as
from the fingers. Thinking the ad-
herance might be due to an excessive
clammincss of the skin, tested its sur
face with my own finger tips. Not
discovering any. and to make sure /
was not deceived by my own sense of
touch, had the hands, nose, and chin
carefully washed with soap and water
and dried with warmed towel.
found no perceivable difference in the
adhesiYeness. The child could not
pick up steel needle, that is so sensi-
tive To the magnet, nor would a penny
"stick' TO the fingers, chin, or nose,
! could discover nothing unusual in
the shape of the finger tips. The skin
was soft and velVety to- the touch, and
could be sure of ciamminess nowhere
except on the pima. The hands and
feet were warm to the touch when |
saw her, and her mother states that
she is not often troubled with cold feet
or hands.
The little patients mother also told
me that her sisters daughter, young
lady 10 years of age. and always
sick, as she expressed it. manifests the
same singular power.