AN ENGINE-DRIVER'S EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2742, 8 February 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

AN ENGINE-DRIVER'S EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE.

A Berlin Engine-driver, whose vigilance not long since saved a great number of persoßS from a terrible accident, has become the victim of a "railway disease," which is of rare occurrence, and which German physicians only know , under the English name of " railway spine." Driving a train round a curve, he suddenly beheld, about 60 yards in front, three red tail lights, belonging, as was afterwards discovered, to a train that was standing still at the station, unable to proceed. He at once signalled to the guard to pat on the brake, then turned off his steam, and rushod to the brake of his tender. He succeeded in bringing his train to a standstill before reaching the obstruction. In the meantime a terrible excitement had taken possession of him, and tho feelings of oxcitemont, terror, and responsibility wore compressed into the space of a few moments. Notwithstanding these violent emotions ho was able to remain at his post, and felt no further immediate consequences than a violent trembling in his legs. With great exertion he managed to get through hie usual work for about five days longer, until gradually all the symptoms of railway spine showed themselves. Though formerly a very power ful man, who had scarcely been ill 10 days during his 15 years of service, he has become very lean, and his speech is Blow and stammering. Among other serious consequences affecting the digestion, the memory, the ability to etc., there is a remarkable diminution of nervous sensibility over the patient's whole body, so that he scarcely feels as a touch the prick of a needle which brings blood. The legs are palsied up to the knee.