FAUST IN REAL LIFE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 293, 12 December 1907, Page 6

FAUST IN REAL LIFE.

A remarkable case, in which the effects of' medieval superstitution and suggestion are curiously mingled, has come under the notice of the doctors of the Rudolf's Hospital, in Vienna.

A Hungarian tradesman named Weiss was recently admitted to the hospital suffering from an illusion which caused him continually to lament the loss of his salvation. It appears that some weeks before Weiss was sitting with friends in a coffeehouse in Pressburg, when the conversation turned on religion and a future life.

Weiss declared that there was no such thing as a future life or salvation, and added, "I would sell my chance of salvation for 10s."

A Jew named Krauss accepted the offer on condition that the transaction was put in writing. A regular deed of sale conveying Wiess' salvation in the next world to Krauss wa,s therefore drawn up, executed by Weiss, and duly witnessed. Krauss took the deed, and handed over the 10s to Weiss, who boasted that it had been easily earned.

A fortnight later Weiss lost his wife, who was killed in a carriage accident. He regarded this accident as a sign of the Divine anger with his impious bargain, and the idea so preyed on his mind that his reason gave way, and he was taken to the hospital.

Professor Obermayer, who had charge of the case, on hearing this story from the man's relatives, decided to try the effects of counter-sug-gestion, and advised Weiss's relatives to recover the deed of sale.

Krauss, however, declared that since he had bought the other man's salvation, his own business had prospered exceedingly, and he refused to give it up under £40. Weiss was unable to pay this, but finally the chief Rabbi of Pressburg, to whom the matter had been reported, induced Krauss to hand the deed back to the sick man on receipt of £20. The effect was most marked. Weiss, reassured as to the fate of his soul, immediately improved. A new- deed was drawn up, in which Krauss solemnly reeonyeyed the other man's salvation to him. This was witnessed by two doctors, and Weiss has nowbeen discharged cured.