The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-28

She MUST HAVE BLOOD.
The Abnormal Appetite Periodically
Developed by Young Texan Girl


From the Philadelphia Times
ATLANTA. TEX, Dec. %. "A malady Of
most remarkable aud distressing nature has
recently attacked the young daughter OF
Winthrop Davis, who owns one of the largest
saw-mills in this vicinity. The young lady
is in her 18th year, aud when in her normal
health Of an amiable, rather shrinking, dis
position, and possessed Of no small claim to
beauty. besides being intelligent and well
advanced in her studies About three
months ago she fell into low, melancholy
state. and displayed singular aversion to
all society, refusing entirely to converse at
times. and exhibiting sullen, angry dispo-
sition when questioned or demonstrated
with.
All food was rejected for several days.
until piece Of freshly killed beef was acct
deutaIly brought into her presence, when
she threw herself upon it with all the savage
greediness of a famished animal, and began
10 tear and rend IL with her teeth, sucking
the blood with a relish. Since then, at
periods varying from three to seven days,
she is seized with the same thirst for blood.
and when brought In sight Of it will drink
1T with avidity, 10 spite of all efforts made
10 restrain her. Such efforts are attended
with much danger, for during these attacks
she fails to recognize even Che members OF
her family, and will snap and bite at any
one attempting to moless her.
Her entire appearance undergoes change.
her usually gentle expression becoming IN
humanity ferocious, her eyes bloodshot and
glaring, while her jaws snap furiously, and
she keeps up hideous snariing and growi-
ing. Her face becomes suffused with blood
and her hair bristles on her head like that
of an angry animal. OEce satiated with
blood she falls into a deep sleep, as If from
intoxication, and on awakening seems to
have no remembrance whatever of her SIN
gular attack, and is once more her quiet.
lady-like self, only complaining of severe
headache, which frequently lasts until her
next seizure.
Physicians who have seen her are at q
loss to account for the cause of her malady.
and have up TO the present failed entirely to
relieve her. By the advice of several, at
tempts have boon made to keep her from
the sight Of blood. tut tue result is so
distressing that it is now thought best to
allow her to crafty her unnatural thirst
Unable to do 50 otherwise, she attacked her
own flesh, tearing IL without any apparent
pain, and sucking the bloods
On another occasion, when seemingly
herself, her attention was attracted to d
younger brother, who, having cut his hand.
entered the house for the purpose OF having
the bleeding cash bound up. She instantly
leaped across the room. and without warn
ing seized the boys hurt hand IN her mouth
and bit him to the bone 1t was only with the
greatest difficulty that she could be made to
release him, and when finally forced to LEI
go, gave vent TO her rage in hoarse cries or.
rather screams like a wild beast cheated Of
Its prey.
Mr.. Davis and his wife are persons OF
education and refinement, aud profess theni-
selves entirely unable 70 account for their
daughters peculiar affection, as on both,
sides for generations there has never been
any intemperance or mental disease.