Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1895-03-23
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Premature Development In Children GEN
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SOhe SiGH Or CANT --SAr.
Premature Development In Children GEN
orally Results In Imbeeility.
The public prints have lately been
mentioning the circumstance of an Al
ALBANIA woman who has reached the
age of nineteen years without increase
of stature beyond that of babe OF
eight months. The case is indeed
curious. and all the more so from the
fact that she remains in good health
and in possession of her physical
powers. Indiscussing this lusus naturte
n well-known investigator into matters
authropological related to reporter
for the Cincinnati Enquirer some cases
in direct contrast with this, and two
or three are worth reproducing,
"The French Academy of Sciences
said he, has given much attention to
matters like this. They have on record
the description of lad who at the age
of seven years measured four feet nine
inches without his shoes. He lifted
with ease two hundred pounds and was
able to do as much heavy work as a
perfectly developed man. But his I'M
Outstanding was no greater than is
usual with children of his age, and
their playthings were his favorite toys.
Another boy, a native of Bouzan-
quet, though of strong constitution.
appeared to be stiff iointed till four
and half years old. During this time
nothing further was remarkable about
him except an extraordinary appetite.
Befor reaching the age of five his
limbs became supple and his body be-
gan to expand rapidly. At six years
of age his height was five feet and his
bulk in proportion. His growth was
so rapid that every month his clothes
required to be made longer and wider,
vet he had neither sickness nor pain.
He could lift upon his shoulders a
weight of one hundred and fifty
pounds and carry it with ease. At the
age of five his voice changed and his
beard began to appear, and at six his
beard was remarkably heavy and
all the unquestionable marks of ma
turity were visible in him. 1t was
thought he would certainly grow to
gigantic proportions, but such pros
poets very suddenly vanished. Before
he reached the age of eight his legs
crooked, body shrank, strength dimin-
ished, voice became weak, and he sank
into total imbecility.
His rapid maturity was followed by
an even swifter decay, and in his tenth
year he wasted away to a mere skele-
ton and died.
The same authority vouches for the
account of a girl child, who. when four
years old, was four feet six inches in
height, with head and limbs well pro-
portioned and breasts fully expanded.
like those of a young lady Of eighteen.
She was mentally advanced for her
years, and at the age of six attracted
the notice of young man who desired
to pay court TO her. Her parents OBJ
jected, very naturally. to this proposal,
and when the childish wears of the
girl were given as reason they were
compelled TO exhibit the public register
of births to prove the truth Of their
representation. At fifteen this girl
began to show indications of decrepi-
tude; at eighteen she gave all the
signs of old age, and in two or three
years thereafter sank into that mental
state known as second childhood. She
died in her twenty-second year, appar-
emily of extreme age.
I'VE frequently hear Of similar prod
igies in our own country, but they are
shortlived. Phenomenal maturity al
ways promises early decay, and we
may be sure that in no case will nature
be cheated of her rights