The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-09-07

hut the Doctors Think He Ia Shamminc
in Order to Get Free lied
and Hoard.

Peter Guannio lies IN 4 cot in the aur-
xical ward at the Charity hospital in New
York. Peter told what a big lump snG
awful gnswing he felt in the pit of his
stomach whom he first went there. Th,
doctors can hnd NO evidence of either
Peter continues 30 get fat on plenty Of foot
and rests on a comfortable bed at more or
less expense to the city. Tho doctor,
hardly know what to do about it. Pster !.
quite satiaied, says the World.
When he entered the hoapisal, July 81,
Gucnnio was placed in DIR. Woley's sick
ward. He could speak no EnRlish, but
through into prefers declared that he could
eat little and that the grating in his stomach
continued to increase. He was examined
carefully, but no evidence OF u stomaohic
growth could be found. His pulse was reg
u,ar aud strong and his Temperature nor.
NAL. sg..
Guannio's 100 pounds seemed to increase
rather than diminish. He pretended he
was unable to walk. but upon occasions,
when something good to eat was in sight,
ho has exhibited astonishing agility. It
astoaished : sthe physicians that Guam
mic fni.su to show a single symptom of
sssAaess. He clunR to his stomach story
inst the same.
"Dr. ]. E. Kelley, visiting physician, be-
cane interested in the case and consulted
vr.ta DR.. Wardlow. They thought he might
hs a monomaniac upon tho subject. 1t was
determined to try an experiment. They
would threaten an operation and then
make him think he had undergone one.
Last week Guannio was summoned. The
rnysicians were astoundsd when, after
hsaring their grave statement that an
n operation was necessary, he gladly agreed
to be cut open.
This was tho chance to test him, SO he
waa placed under the influence of ether.
Now. a person is mover etherized unless the
stomach is empty. The doctors had taken
tGrannio's statement of his light appetite
In good faith. Ether acts a. an emetic,
and when a pound OF meat and propor-
stionate quantities of vegetables and other
Injuries of charity hospital life came to
light tho physicians agreed that Guannio
however, while the tendons were relaxed.
THE man was bound with surgical straps
eand blood stained bandages and dressings
were applied.
y When Peter revived he was done up so
Tightly he could not turn over. He was
Y ASt W 4OVbVAA CAo OhAAakuns LIZ
Kelley told him a long boil had been taken
tom his stomach. The man claimed to be
very weak from loss Of blood, bat declared
ltEat the grating feeling was Just as bad as
eye. He was assured he would get we'll at
once.
itp cfuannio continued to stick to his COM
Portable bead and free board. He seem ed
to like the odor of the disinfectant which
tpermeetss the cool room. More heroic
!krestmsnt seemed necessary. Dr.. Ward
low summoned the man Saturday to the
Generating room, when no told him that his
iktomsch must be cauterized. Guannio
weakened for an instant. but finally sub
nnittsa with i'll grace to 4 generous dose Of
hot iron, which blistersd the surface Of his
abdomen. Whom he was told that there
you'd be a daily treatment like that
,Guannic was diseuated. He walked back
10 @ais cot like u we'll man, bat he claimed he
was iust as sick as ever.
" The doctors know not what to do. It is
proposed that the patient be placed in a
darkened room and given a powerful
t~@,retic. Meanwhile a lizard will have been
Placed in the bowl, and the attendant will
yry 80 persuade the man that the load in
His stomach has been removed.
Cd After Guannio was cautsrizsd he was re-
moved to the surgical ward, where he is in
Dr.. Mallet's charge. That physician will
examine him thoroughly.
,t In She meantime Guannio, still believing
that he had been cut open and with pros
poets OF daily cauterization before him, lies
iu his cot apparently contsntsd. He in a
iane looking man. of large frame, with fat
,swarthy features, and q heavy black mus
tacae. The doctors are at their Wits ends
what to do with him. They will make no
real incision into the stomach until there is
come evidence besides the mans own state
inspJ that there is = growth there.
ut is possible that tho man is a monoma-
Mae" said DIR. Wardlow. 1--WE may con-
cluGe to have him specially examined
with that end in view. But those
,~stfiicted with a single delusion and
otherwise perfectly rational generally
believe they are being. rerss-
howl has worked successfully in some cases.
This man gives every indication by pulse,
temperature and appetite Of being q we'll
man. He had no difficulty in walking to
his cot after he WAS cauterized."
DR.. Mallet believes that Guannio is sham
ming, though he admits that the Italian
EtAnds rigorous t. eatment.
We will try and make him relinquish
this oelusion if it a real one" he said. 1T
he Is sharnming we ought to be able to
be able to brighten him. Still, I've had
several experiences with men that aston
lshed me. I've seen some submit to opera-
tions and a flow of blood that were quito
severe just. az | believed, for the sake OF
staying in the hospital"
Guannio lived in n tenement house at
No. 139 Mulberry street, where he has q wife
and children.