New-York tribune., 1903-01-12
SHE HAS LOCALIZED AMNESIA.
Details of the Treatment of Madeline Church
Her Remarkable Indifference.

While the case of Madeline Church. under
treatment at the New-York Infirmary Psychopathic
Hospital presents several interesting features 1t is
by extraordinary. To a Tribune reporter
DR.. George il. Parker, of three psychopatho-
logic experts who treating the case last night
said: Madeline Church is suffering from amnesla,
or forgetfuness. OF amnesia there four varie-
ties-O localized amnesia, wherein certain epoch
is completely erased from the subjects memory:
(2) systematized amnesia. wherein certain series OF
experiences are completely erased; % continuous
amnesia, wherein there is complete absence OF
synthesis fusion in the subjects experiences ana
(4) general amnesia. wherein all experiences In the
entire life are erased Madeline Church is probably
suffering from the first variety, localized amnesia
For the present treating her by what are
known as the obstructive methods Obstructive
methods are, roughly. those which induce fatigue
by means of constant and monotonous stimuli
Madeline, for example. is taken to a quiet room
and, the light being lowered, she is placed in an
easy chair Nothing breaks the stiffness save the
monotonous tick tack tick tack of the metronome
purposely placed beside the couch. This distrac-
tive procedure is continued until Sub-consciouS
phenomena begin to show themselves By strength
ening the associated thread of memory. these phe-
nomena are encouraged until a nucleus is formed
the nucleus being in turn strengthened 1t is at
this time that questions are asked OF Madeline
about the incidents leading TO her present condI
ton A remarkable feature about Madeline. and
one which makes think her case is not one OF
amnesia. is her indifference as to her lost per-
sonality, and her complete absence or anxiety TO
regain that personality"
But you shall see for yourself" he added usher
ing the reporter into small. CHEEKY room whose
color scheme white. Seated in an easy chair
beside the window sat young dark haired girl,
about twenty years old, dressed in a common red
flannel blouse, a black shirt waist and low shoes
Brown and full of eye. plump of face and figure.
Madeline had the appearance OF the typical New
York factory girl, well favored but undstingulshed
She turned pair of curiouSly dull eyes upon her
visitor and the tones OF her voice equally
lack lustre. The doctor adroitly proceeded to ask
questions to episodes leading up to her present
condition. On points she seemed able to sup
ply fresh information always of the vaguest CHAR
acIer. Others she seemed unable 10 repeat state
ments already volunteered. Time and again, IN
the middle of question, her attention would lose
itself her eyes turn upward or outward, or become
fixed in CLASSY vacancy only to be recalled by
repetition of her Throus hout, her expression,
speech and attitude conveyed the almost complete
Indifference that is such peculiar feature Of her
anything in the world you would like to have?"
4 stony silence and then doubtful negative
the only answer, followed were further dueS-
tfons, by peculiar stmper strangely out of place
Of memory and correspondingy sudden lapses,
Madeline had never contradicted any previous
sta atements. This fact alone to dispose of
any alleged malingering- Simple psychopathic tests
sible weakness of synthesis or fusion-whch might
account for her condition-Will follow the dis
tractive' trea tment- The mysterious machine used
under the present treatment, and concerning which
is merely device for showing the deviations in
respiration due to excitement depression of any
kind. Its special application in the present
is roughly based on the theory that mental excite
nent depression has index in the respiration.
1t should be said that of the girls statements
have as yet been corroborated or denied.