MENTAL PATIENT’S GIFT

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1935, Page 15 (Supplement)

MENTAL PATIENT’S GIFT

Astonishing Aptitude For Calculating Dates, BUT IS UNABLE TO READ OR WRITE T'HE “astonishing aptitude” for calx culating dates shown by an inmate in a mental home is described by Dr W. M. McGrath in the “British Medical Journal.” In this case, one of megaiencephaly, the patient, who cannot read or write, remembers the date of death of various occupants of his ward, the arrival or transfer' of doctors or nurses, and the dates of the -examinations of his blood and cerebro-spinal fluid. He knows all the patients in his ward by their, correct names, and can tell their number from day'to day. The daily happenings are remembered in detail, also the names, date of entry and promotions of the nursing staff. \ Dr McGrath says that this patient’s chief ability, however, lies, in the correct naming of the day of the week on which any given date falls. “There are grounds for be- ‘ Sieving,” the doctor continues, “that he has committed to memory the day of the week corresponding with some key date. When given a date at random he counts t backward and forward to the nearest one corresponding with his initial keydate, making allowances for a leap year. “It has been observed that he is quicker at calculating future than past dates.” , ' ■ ' Some of the questions and the patient’s reaction time are given as

The doctor adds that the patient can neither read nor write, and cannot tell the time by the clock. He can repeat the alphabet forward and backward, never starts a conversation, and has no friends among the patients. He has a keen sense of humour and appreciates music, but no ambition or future plans. Dr McGrath says that this man is extremely interested in and proud of his achievement. He concludes that whatever the causes of defective development of the nervous system njay be, the effect on all parts of the system need not be the same. One portion may attain maturity while other portions lag behind

follows: — Question. - What day was: Patient’s Reaction Reply Time April 1, 1898? Thursday 7sec June 21 1852? .. . * »• Sunday 25sec Sept 10* 1804? .. .. •• Friday 15sec June 1,'1793? .. Wednesday 20sec Oct 27 1754? .• <>• •• Monday 35sec What day is: Aug. 21, 1966? Sunday \ 25sec May 10, 2024? Sunday 20sec June 10, 2050? Tuesday 15sec Sept. 16, 1999? Thursday 7sec Patient’s Correct What date will: Reply Answer Good Friday be in 1936? April 17 April 10 August Monday be in 1936? Aug. 3 Aug. 3 Whit Monday be in 1936? June 1 June 1