Daily Republican., 1889-12-31
A GIRLS STRANGE MANIA FOR
BLOOD.

Dispatch to tho Philadelphia Times,
A malady OF a most remarkable ard
distressing nature has recently attacked
the young dau5h OF Winthrop Davis.
who owns one OF The larg st sawmllls 10
thls vicinity. Tie young lady 10 in her
sixteenth year, and, when in her normal
health, OF an amiable, rather shrinking
disposition, aud possessed of no small
claim 10 beauty, besiles bclL z Intelligent
and well advanced In her studies,
About three months ago she fell into n
low, melancholy state and displayed a
singular aversion TO society, refusing
entirely to converse at times and exhibit
Ing tul Hen, angry disposition when
questioned or demonstrated with. Ali
food WAS rejected Tor several days, until
piece OF freshly killed beef was ac.i1en-
tally brought into her presence, when she
threw hrrsef upon IL with all the savage
greediness of famshed animal aud
began 10 tear and rend II with her teeth,
sucking the blood with shocking relish
for the yet warm fluid.
since then, at periods varying from
three 10 seven days, she Is stized with
the same thirdt ior blool, and when
brt ught in sight of 1t W II drink 1t with
avility, In spite of all effort. made to
restrain her. Such efforts are attien led
with much danger, for during these
attacks she fails to recogn 70 even the
members of the family and wi | snap and
bite sayagely at any one attempting to
modest her.
| Her entire appearance undergocs Q
change, her usually gentle expression be-
coming inhumany ierocious, her ey
bloodshot and giaring, while her jaws
snap iuriously aud she keeps up hideou.
snsriing aud grow ing. Her face be-
comes su'irsed with blood aud her hair
brist es on her head like that OF an angry
animal. Once sstIated with blood she
ialis INTO deep .lecp, as II from ihtoxl
| cation, and in awgk ming seems TO have
M Remembrance whatever OF her sln u
lar attack and lie once more her quiet,
l4dylike self, only complaining of severe
headache, which freq tly lasts until
her next seizure.
| Physicians VITO have seen her are at a
loss 20 account for the cause OF her
malady and have up 10 the present failed
entirely to relieve her. BY the aivice oil
several, attempts have been made to koel
her from the 'ignt OF human blood, but
the result Ia so distressing that It is now
thonght hest TO allow Ter to crafty her
uunstural thirst. Unable tn d 60 other.
wise, she sttack,d her own flesh, tearing
II without any apparent pain aud sucking
the blood with ayidity.
On another occasion, when seemingly
at hertelf, her attention was attracted TO
younger brother, who, having cut his
hand, entered the house for the purpose
OF having the b eeding gash bound up.
She inttant y leaped across the room,
and without winning seized the boy 6
hurt hand IN her mouth and bit him 10
TIT bone. 1t was only with the create /
difficulty that bhe could be made to re-.
lease him, and when finally forced to let
60, gave vent TO her rage In hoarse cries,
or rather screams, like wild beast
cheated out OF its prey.
Mr.. Davis and his wife are persons OF
education and refinement. and profess
themselves entirely unable to account fol-
their daug hter's peculiar all ciion, as ou
both sid .or generations the g has never
been any intempsraace or mental die.
ease.