Los Angeles herald., 1905-11-10
AUTOS VICTIM
MAY RECOVER
GIRL YAWNs-SIeN OF RETURN
ING HEALTH
Mrs. Eduhe Policy TuHree, Who Was
Almost Killed In Collision,
Presents Remarkable Case,
Say Doctors

Mrs. Edithe Policy Tuffree, the young
woman who has been lying in an un-
conscious state at the Good Samaritan
hospital since last Saturday night, the
result Of an automobile collision with
Boyle Heights car near Evergreen cem-
etery, gave indications to the physician
ana nurse In charge yesterday that she
was on the way to recovery.
For FIVE days she has bafled medical
skill Of the highest order by her con-
tinued unconscious state. Every known
medical and scientific treatment has
been administered to the young woman
with the hopes that she would revive.
But up to last evening, when there was
a noticeable recognition of objects be-
ing held in close proximity to her eyes,
DR.. A. j. Downs ani Mrs. Tuffree s
private nurse had given up all hopes of
her recovery from the severe concus-
sion or even regaining consciousness.
Her case by reason of her seeming
tenacious hold on life is considered
somewhat rare. At one period of her
suffering her temperature rose to 1861
degrees. This was last Tuesday mid
night and it was then said that she
could not possibly survive the day.
Shortly after midnight her temperature
began to decrease and by yesterday
noon had gone back to 80 1-5 degrees,
the normal stage of a woman of Mrs.
Tuffree's age
Begins to YaWn
Another hopeful indication noticed by
Dr. Downs yesterday was a seeming
desire on the part of the young woman
to yawn. Yawning by persons in an
unconscious state is said by physicians
to denote a relaxation of the muscles of
brain which are held at a tension When
this is noticed in patients in Mrs. Tuf-
frees state recovery is always eX-
pected, provided other injuries have not
been sustained, which are imperatiVely
fatal.
Still another hopeful condition in
Mrs. Tuffree's case is a perfect blood
circulation. Her color is that of a
healthy school girl. This has gradually
come with the lowering of her tempera-
ture.
In speaking of Mrs. Tuffree's case and
her condition, DIR. A. j. Downs said last
night:
"There are decidedly hopeful indi-
cations of the young womans recovery.
Her temperature, which had reached
the maximum point, 1862 degrees, last
Tuesday night, has gradually lowered
to the normal stage, or 96 1-5 degrees.
While making the medical and scien-
tific tests on her today she evinced
slight but noticeable regaining of con-
seriousness. She has also shown a de-
sire TO yawn, most hopeful lndlca-
ton.
1.-THE test, which is about the only one
that can be made, is that of suddenly
holding objects before her eyes. Nc
special objects were experimental with
Yesterday, but when a pretense at
striking her eyes with the fingers were
made there was a winking of the eye
lids indicating a natural recoil from
danger which would not be done by
person wholly unconscious
To-day she evinced desire to yawn.
This is indicative of a relaxation of the
muscles of the brain. In the uncon-
scious state the muscles of the brain
are at a tension. The young woman's
color is that of a perfectly healthy
person.
"She is suffering more from very
severe concussion than a fracture of
the skull. The latter exists, but the
absence of the fever shows that there
is no pressure on the brain therefrom.
Although it is somewhat rare occur
renee that fractured skull does not
result in death a number of people have
been known to recover from it.
ION the other hand, MIS- IuIlree may
remain in an unconscious state for an
other week and eventually die. Cases
have been known where patients re-
mained unconscious for weeks, even
months, before death came. However,
in the present instance, everything
points to recovery. She is carefully
watched day and night by her own prt-
vate nurse No efforts are being spared
to bring her back to perfect health.
The statement was made that she has
been badly disfgured. That is not
true She has a slight cut at the right
of her mouth, but the scar from that
will disappear in a short time"
The accident in which the young wom-
an was injured was one of the worst
that occurred in Los Angeles. Mrs. Tuf-
free. with her aunt and two men, were
in the automobile The machine be-
came stuck in the sand at the bottom
of steep hill. With a crash the coach
collided with the automobile and
showed it along for a distance of fifty
yards. All of the occupants were
thrown TO the ground. Both of the men
were injured. Mrs. Austin was killed
instantly and Mrs. Tuffree was rem
dered unconscious.