SUPPOSED TO BE CATALEPSY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1191, 28 July 1911, Page 2

SUPPOSED TO BE CATALEPSY.

. 1 YOUNG MAN'S SUDDEN ILLNESS. On Monday morning a yjung man, a resident of 'l'emuka, whoso parents reside at Green Island, nonr Dunedin, entered the. shop of Mr. J. Henderson, Worcester Street, Christchurch. He talked for some time, probably an hour and a half, and then it was noticed that he was returning no answer to questions. Shortly after, when Mr. Henderson, senior, entered the shop, the young man was standing bolt upright against the wall. Apart from the fact that lie took a long breath at intervals, ho appeared to be dead. He would make no reply to questions, ajid would give 110 sign that 110 was awaro of the presence of any of those who were about him. Fearing lest ho s'nould fall and injure himself, Mr. Henderson communicated with the police. The police at once got into touch with a medical oilicer, who put the patient through a number of tests, in Mr. Henderson's shop. It was discovered that ho would enter into and remain in any position in which ho was placed. First his arms were stretched out before him, and he allowed them to romain there; then his amis were set back level with his shoulders, and 110 permitted them to stay there. To a lay observer it appeared that he would stay in whatever position he was placed ill, but lackod the power or the desire to settle himself. Tho doctor ordered his immediate removal to tho public hospital. Geting the man into a cab was no easy task, as when he was moved from his position near tho wall lie appeared in danger of falling forward. He seemed to have no control over his limbs. Inquiries at the hospital elicited the information that the man was supposed to bo suffering from catalepsy, and was a fit and proper patient for Sunnysidc Mental Hospital. The sufferer showed slight siins of returning consciousness, but was still unable to respond to questions or to control tho actions of his body. Dr. Westenra and Dr. Downos, later, examined tho man, and it_vas decided to remand him to the Sunnysidn Mental Hospital for a fortnight, for observation.