The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-12-06
SURE SIGN OF EARLY DECAY.
Premature Development In Children
Generally Results In Imbecility.

Premature Development In Children
Generally Results In Imbecility.
The public prints are now Just men
tioning the circumstances of an Alabama
woman who has reached the age of 10
years without increase of statute be-
yond that of babe of 8 months. The
case is indeed curious, and all the more so
from the fact that she remains in good
health and is possessed of her physical
powers, In discussing this lusus naturea
Il well-known Investigator into matters
anthropological related to a reporter for
the Cincinnati Enquirer some cases in
direct contrast with this, and two or
three are worth reproducing.
The French Academy of Science"
said he, has given much attention to
matters like this. They have on record
the description of a lad who, at the age
of Z years, measured 4 feet 8 inches,
without his shoes. He lifted with ease
200 pounds and was able to do as much
heavy work as Il perfectly developed
man. But his understanding was no
greater than is usual with children of his
age, and their playthings were his favor
lite toys.
"AnOther boy native of Bouzanquet,
though of strong constitution, appeared
to be stiff-jointed till Az years old. Dur
ing this time nothing was remarkable
about him except an extraordinary APP
petite. Before reaching the age of his
limbs became supple and his body began
to expand rapidly. AT g years of age his
height was 5 feet and his bulk in proper
ton. His growth was so rapid that
every month his clothes required to be
made longer and wider, yet he had Meth
er sickness nor pain. He could lift upon
his shoulders a weight of $50 pounds and
carry it with ease. At the age of 5 his
voice changed and his beard began to
appear, and at 6 his beard was remark
ably heavy and all the unquestionable
marks of maturity were visible in him.
1t was thought he would certainly grow
to gigantic proportions, but such pros
poets very suddenly vanished. Before he
reached he age of s his legs crooked, body
shrank, and he sank into total iimbeci-
lily.
His rapid maturity was followed by
an even swifter decay, and in his 10th
year he wasted away to q mere skeleton
and died.
"The same authority vouches for the
account of girl child, who, when 4 years
old, was 5 feet inches in height, with
head and limbs well proportional and
breasts well expanded, like those of a
young lady of Is. She was mentally in
advance of her years, and at the age of q
attracted the notice of a young man who
desired to pay court to her. Her parents
objected, very naturally, to his proposal,
and when the childish years of the girl
were given as reason they were COM
PEELED to exhibit the public register of
births to prove the truth of their repre-
sentation. At the age of 10 this girl be-
gan to show indications of decrepitude;
at IS she gave all signs of old age, and in
two or three years thereafter sank into
that mental state known as second child
hood. She died in her 22d year, appar-
emily of extreme old age.
"We frequently hear of similar prod
iges in our own country, but they are
short lived. Phenomenal maturity al
ways promises early decay, and we may
be sure that in no case will nature be
cheated of her rights"