"SYMPATHY SICKNESS."

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 135, 9 June 1926, Page 8

"SYMPATHY SICKNESS."

TWO 'FRISCO * BROTHERS.

A BAFFLING CASE.

Two brothers named Jean and Joseph Navarett are under observation in the French Hospital in San Francisco suffering from what, for want of a better term, the doctors describe as "sympathetic illness."

Jean, aged 57, is in a highly nervous condition, the cause of which is so deepseated as to baffle the medical men, and Joseph, aged 40, exhibits exactly the same symptoms.

The two occupy the same room at the hospital, and chat a great deal together, but have told the nurses they v expect to die, and though assured that they are in no immediate danger have made their wills.

The brothers are partners in a florist's business, and despite the disparity of their ages are generally known as "the French twins." Last summer Jean became ill and began to lose his hair. Finally he was admitted to the hospital, where he was followed a week later by his brother.

They were placed in separate rooms, but asked to be placed beside each other. No sooner was this done than Joseph took an immediate turn for the worse.

The doctors believe that they are suffering frojn nervous strain due to overwork, bur admit themselves baffled to account for Joseph's condition except on the supposition of "sympathetic" illness.