Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1895-02-21
SURE SIGN OF EARLY DECAY.
Premature Developments In Children Gem
orally Results In beciIIty.


orally Results In Imbeciiity.
The public prints are just now men
tioning the circumstance of Pennsyl-
vania woman who reached the age of 10
years without increase of stature be-
yond that OF a babe of s months. The
case is indeed curious, and all the
more so from the fact that she re-
mains in good health and possession
of her physical powers. In discussing
this lusus ntura well-known inves-
tigator into matters anthropological
related to reporter for the Cincinnati
Enquirer some cases in direct contrast
with this, and two or three are worth
reproducing.
1.-The French academy of Sciences"
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 four
feet nine inches without his shoes. He
lifted with ease 200 pounds and was
able to do as much heavy work as a
perfectly developed man But his
understanding was no greater than
is usual with children OF his age, and
their playthings were his favorite toys.
Another boy, native Of Bouzan-,
quet, though OF strong constitution,
appeared to be stiff-jointed till AZ
years old. During this time nothing
further was remarkable about him ex-
cept an extraordinary appetite. Be-
fore reaching the age of 5 his limbs
became supple and his body began 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 re-
CURED to be made longer and wider,
yet he had neither sickness nor pain.
He could lift upon his shoulders
weight of $50 pounds and carry it
with ease. At the age of 5 his voice
changed and his beard began to APP
pear, and at his beard was remarka-
bic and all the unquestionable marks
Of maturity were visible in him. IL
was thought he would certainly grow
to gigantic proportions, but such pros
pect VI / suddenly vanished. Before
he reached the age Of 3 his logs
crooked body shrank, strength di-
minished, voice became weak and he
sank into total imbccility.
His rapid maturity was followed
by an even swifter decay, and in his
10th year he wasted away to a mere
skeleton and died.
"The same authority vouches for
the account Of a girl child, who, when
years old, was 4 feet 6 inches in
height, with head and limbs well pro-
portioned and breasts fully expanded,
like those OF u young lady of 10. She
was mentally in advance OF her years,
and at the age Of 6 attracted the no
tice of young man who desired to
pay court to her. Her parents OBJ
jected, very naturally. to this proposal,
and when the childish years OF the girl
were given as a reason they were com
pelled to exhibit the public register of
births to prove the truth of their rep
resentation. At Is this girl began to
show signs of decrepitude; at Is 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 22d year,
apparently OF extreme age.
1--WE frequently hear Of similar
psodigies in our own country, but they
are short-lived. Phenomenal matur-
ity always promises early decay, and
we may be sure that in no case will
nature be cheated OF her rights"