Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-05-24

"you do not wish me to understand that
you believe it even possible that such a
condition should he the result of simple
terror or pure mental action of any kind
II seems almost certain to me that there
was some structural OF functional disor-
der prior to the accident "
Very possibly. did not say to the
contrary Some of her symptoms almost
indicate pressure on the brain, but
long experience in an accident hospital
has made me wary of jumping to con
clusion when the symptoms are so vague
and unpronounced. have known such
widely different and unexpected mental
states TO result from the fright incident
to loss of consciousness, under pres
sure of excitement. that | am almost
ready TO attribute any abnormal mental
state TO the shock or the terror, pure and
simple. Last year we had man who
had been thrown from carriage while
his horses wero running away. The man
completely recovered, but he always per
sisted in denial that he had ever gone
out to ride. The accident robbed him of
his memory. not only of the time after
he tainted but of the time preceding
that event by some hours He never has
been and undoubtedly never will be able
20 recall that time. Three or four wears
ago was called to attend lunatic who
had been troubled with u suicidal mania.
He had at last succeeded in eluding the
vigilance of his keepers and had hung
himself. We restored him. and he has
been the sanest Of sane men since have
seen person absolutely an idiot from
fright Gou have doubtless yourself
noted insanity or mania from that cause
In view of these facts | say it is we'll to
think twice before dismissing that by
pothesis in case like this. "
The younger man listened attentively,
but he did not seem convinced.
DOUBTLESS terror is n powerful fac
tor-somctimcs, - he said. but never
theleSs | do not see how it can be all in
this case. The patient is not exactly an
idiot am very sure that in her way
she thinks.
The elder physician made no reply.
hut he laughed quietly.
Il do not mean that she can follow a
conscious Ifhln OF unOuSnV, DuU Inuu
there is an unconscious undorcurrent. so
to speak which never rises into con
sciOusness 1t is the upper surface of the
mind only that exhibits itself in intelli-
Eonce. and i'll my opinion there is some
thing more than reflex action in the
great undercurrent that throws up the
little waves, the tops of which only we
call reason. This mind is not dead, even
though it appears to be, y
Tho elder physician looked both puz-
zlcd and amused
II am afraid, Lamar, he said, ''vou
read too much Herbert Spencer and arr
inclined to ignore rs plain fellows. -
The younger man shrugged his shout
ders at this mild sarcasm, and he an
sWvrcd without the least show Of sensi.
tiven'ss:
AT any rate, Won would not object tc
trying an experiment with me-"
"Ccrtainly not.
Every well. Let us conceal ourselves.
/ believe that our presence initiates her.
The younger man arose from the chain
in which he had been sitting and went
into the larger room. The gray haired
physician followed him. They retired
into the farthest corner and concealed
themselves from the patients view be
hind curtained bed, where, ny slightly
dsarranging the drapery, they coulG
easily watch her Either because their