A WONDERFUL CURE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2384, 5 November 1880, Page 4

A WONDERFUL CURE.

(Auckland “ Star.”)

A most unblushing case of malingering was recently brought under the notice of the Hospital authorities in a rather singular way. A man was received into the institution, ostensibly suffering from a severe attack of paralysis. His case appeared to demand the most careful attention, and it was cheerfully accorded, ivhile the daintiest products of the cuisine were invariably preserved for him. After a few days nursing he began to look somewhat lively, although he seems to have made no progress whatever towards the recoveiy of his powers of locomotion. He had to be assisted two or three times a day by half a dozen men to and from the verandah, and these periodical movements of his become quite impressive in their effect upon the other patients. There was a kind of ceremonial pomp abort them which made the occupants of the neighbouring beds quite envious. Theh again the distressed paralytic could receive only the most delicate nutriment, and his every call had to be instantly obeyed. At length he began to be self-assertive, petulant, and even grossly insulting to the attendants. Whenever in their solicitude for his health they would leave the veranhah he would abuse them most roundly in a choice selection of miscellaneous profanity, and at last when force was used he exhibited the strength and activity quite unlooked for. His outrageous conduct was brought under the notice of the authorities and he was ordered a night’s solitary confinement in an isolated cell. The two wardsmen who were deputed to remove him stillrepent their temerity. He blackened the eyes of one of them and soundly belaboured the other. In the end nine men had to be told off to carry out the order, and when his nimblencss and sudden rc-possession of all his physical powers caused remark, he had the audacity to atlirm that the attendants had wrought an instant and unexpected cure. It need hardly be added that he was promptly discharged.