The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1901-04-23
AN UNEXPLAINED IMPULSE.
That of Some Persons to Leap when
Looking Down From High Places.

That of Some Persons to Leap When
Looking Down From High PIacea.
1.-THE strange temptation to cast them
selves into space which assails so many
people when they look down from high
places is very hard to account for scien-
tifcally," said well known neurologist
of this city. SIT has undoubtedly been
the cause of hundreds of cases Of self
destruction, yet it certainly cannot be
classed as a suicidal impulse, because
those who experience it invariably resist
with all their strength and hang back
in an agony of dread and repulsion. They
don't want to kill themselves, but some
power stronger than will, stronger even
than love of life, draws them irresistibly
over the brink.
"People with this singular infrmity,'
continued the doctor, SHOULD never ex-
pose themselves to danger, because the
impulse acts automatically and may at
any moment pass beyond control. On
one occasion, when l was considerably
younger than l am at present, / under
took to cure a patient who couldn't look
from height, and the experience left an
everlasting impression on my mind. de
was a big, strapping fellow of 20 or so,
q cabinet maker by trade and the last
man apparently to be bothered by nerv-
Gus fancies. had an idea that by max
ing him look persistently into space for
certain length of time each day / could
drive away the dread and the impulse.
So took him to the top Of six story
building that had fat roof and told him
to lie down on his stomach so only the
upper part of his face projected over the
edge and look at the street. He was very
reluctant to try it. Pm afraid to, doc
tor he said earnestly. IF do, my legs
will fly up in the air, and I'll go over
sure
"'Oh, nonsensev l said, laughing. How
in the world could your legs fly up in the
air? How can you possibly fall when
your whole body is stretched out nat on
the roof?
"I don't care he insisted doggedly.
4 know my legs will fly up in the air if
1 try to look over the edge
"After a great deal OF persuasion
finally induced him to lie dowL as
had directed, telling him to shut his eyes
until he became composed. As soon as he
opened them and looked into the street
strong shudder ran through his whole
body, and | knew he must be suffering
mortal agony, but was determined to go
through the lesson and urged him strong
" not to draw back. Possibly a minute
elapsed and then a shocking thing oc-
Cured. Suddenly and without the slight
est warning he seized the edge Of the
parapet with both hands, drew his body
violently forward, at the same time fling
ing up his legs, and would undoubtedly
have gone over the edge if ! had not
thrown myself instantly on his back.
''The movement was purely convulsive
and involuntary. He could no more help
it than he could help breathing, but 1t
made my blood run cold 10 think what
might have happened. How could |
have explained myself had he fallen? |
might readily have been suspected OF
murder. dragged him back. and we
went down stairs, a pretty badly agitated
couple. Since then l have tried no more
experiments along that line. New Or
leans Times Democrat.