A Human Phenomenon.

Manawatu Herald, 1 February 1896, Page 3

A Human Phenomenon.

The Post's own correspondent wires from Melbourne fchafc a singular case is engaging the attention of the Ballarat police and medical men, the question at issue being whether a young widow, who is the mother of two children and has been formally charged with vagrancy, i 9 seriously ill or merely malingering. According to the Hospital doctor Mrs Walsh, who in the first instance was arrested on a charge of drunkenness, is a kind of rara avis. A medical man says the woman can expectorate blood whenever she feels so disposed, and another member of the profession alleges that the patient has the power of rising her temperature to 110 degree*, the highest register of the medical thermometer. Asked if he had heard that medical mm had made such remarkable statements, Dr Jordan replied, •• Yep, I have heard such is the case — that a woman can run her temperature up to 110 and vomit blood at pleasure." The opinion expressed . by Dr Champion that Mrs Walsh is malingering is supported by other doctors who had seen her frequently during the eleven weeks she was an inrr.ate of the Ba'larab Ho-'pital. Meantime she remains in the Hospital, many people believing that the woman is seriously ill.