The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 151: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A MONTH IN ‘THE MOON. 343 ‘‘Explain it? Nothing simpler,’’ said the doctor, laughing. ‘‘ This is a case of catalepsy. I have long known that certain Indian jugglers and fakirs could do it, but I have never before had an opportunity of witnessing the phenomenon. Iam very glad to have seen it. You are witness that the fellow bore all the appearance of death, and was buried for—how long? ’’ ‘«’ Thirteen. days, unless I mistake.’’ ‘That is less than the fakir of Ceylon mentioned by Dr. Sterk as having been buried for six months.’’ ‘‘ Six months or six days is much the same,’’ said Norbert, ‘‘ for the phe- nomenon is as extraordinary in the one case as the other. How 1s it ac- counted for ?’’ ‘‘“By a most simple process of progression. ‘The Indian fakirs and jug- glers begin by accustoming themselves to live with the minimum of vital force, through their habit of remaining motionless for long periods of time. They practise holding their breath ; they live in boxes that are more or less her- metically sealed, first for noe: then for days, and finally for weeks or months. ‘More than that, they: manage to fill their stomach, as if it were a store- room, with atmospheric air that they can afterward pass into their lungs by minute doses at atime. ‘To effect this, the string of their tongue is cut, so that they can turn it back and close their windpipe at will. ‘They know how to hypnotize themselves by looking fixedly at the top of their nose ; and by contracting the thoracic muscles, they can so stop the movement of the heart that it is imperceptible. ‘They also have poisons in their possession that are unknown to the European pharmacy, and that can produce all the aforesaid effects instantaneously. You see how easily all these combined agents can simulate the appearance of death.”’ Norbert listened to these explanations with deep interest, but his interest was nothing compared to that of Kaddour. He was quite himself again, and was now taking in, with wide open eyes and ears, every word of the doctor. The latter at last perceived this, and dropped the subject for the present, reserving it for the drawing room, when og person principally concerned should not be at hand. ‘Well, my boy,’’ he said, patting the dwarf on the head, affectionately and professionally, ‘‘ we are certainly much better. But there must be no more of these pranks, because they would not answer nor take us in now ! Virgil will give you a cup of soup presently, with a glass of claret. After that you must take a nap, and wake up quite well.’’ ; Really, to hear the doctor speak, one would have thought that he was addressing the most virtuous and charming patient, instead of a wicked de- formity, who had barely escaped a well merited capital sentence by feigning to poison himself. But such is the strength of the medical sense of what is fitting in the practice of the profession, that every other consideration is lost in the single minded care for the patient; and rich or poor, honest man or criminal, are all one in their eyes so long as they need a doctor. And such is the strength of example, that every one in the observatory acted likewise. They all forgot the crimes of Kaddour, and only looked GOMIGDOOKS.GO |