A Remarkable Experiment.

Hastings Standard, Issue 107, 29 August 1896, Page 4

A Remarkable Experiment.

A remarkable experiment is now being made for the purpose of giving relief to William Scanlan, the famous American comedian, who is now in a lunatic asylum. A number of doctors who examined Scanlan decided that his brain was gradually decaying, with the result that death would probable take place shortly, his case being in this respect unlike the usual course of paresis and idiocy. Professor Curtis, of the New York College of Physicians, has been making a number of experiments upon the brains of dogs. In one case (according to a Dalziel's correspondent) in which he removed a dog's brain, the animal lived a month ; another which was similarly experimented! upon lived three months, while another is still living notwithstan .ling that its brain was removed 15 months ago. It appears to be well so far as its ordinary bodily health is concerned, but it is quite devoid of intelligence. It has lost the senses of smell and hearing, but appears to retain that of taste. It is, too, perfectly able to maintain its balance, and when lying can recover its feet if it wishes to rise. Its temper remains, and it resents teasing. If the experiments are successful a trial will, it is proposed, eventually be made to remove Scanlan's brain, in the belief that he will thus be assured of years of life, although without intellect of any kind.