MYSTERY PATIENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 312, 30 November 1933, Page 7

MYSTERY PATIENT

ESTABLISHMENT OF IDENTITY A DELICATE OPERATION. LINK AVITH DOMINION. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received November 30, 9.55 a.m. BRISBANE, Nov. 30. After being in hospital for three months, the “mystery patient” has been identified as John O’Sullivan, formerly of New Zealand. He was found lying in a street at New Farm last August and has since laid in hospital unable to tell his identity, his memory being a blank. A few days ago a letter was received from a young woman in New Zealand giving lull details of the man and stating that for some years he had been subject to mysterious fainting attacks. The man s condition became worse and the doctors operated. A portion of the skull was removed, revealing a jelly-like substance growing over part of the brain, this apparently pressing on the brain. The surgeons removed it and it is hoped that when the effects of the operation have worn off the man will completely recover his health and memory. Earlier this month the “Standard” published an article based on a message from Brisbane of a hospital patient, who was known as “John Fitzgerald,” but whose real identity had exercised the minds of doctors, the police and himself since he was picked up in a New Farm street, suffering from loss of memory, in September last. In an endeavour to trace “Fitzgerald’s” identity, an article which was published, in the Brisbane Standard was sent to the “Manawatu Standard” by a gentleman who had taken an interest in the patient. The patient was reported to have successfully answered various test questions on Palmerston No*fh. He knew that the city had garden plots in its centre, for instance, and he mentioned the names of several hotels. From the pages of an Auckland weekly paper lie seized upon several names of Palmerston North society people which were familiar to him. He also knew the name of the stipendiary magistrate, and who was the Parliamentary member for the district. Enquires made at the Palmerston North police station a few weeks ago elicited the information that the police had already, been engaged on the case and while the man’s identity had not been definitely established, it was thought that the patient was indentical with a young man named John Edward Bryan, of Napier.