APHASIA.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.")
SIR,—Reading in your paper particulars of the case of aphasia as happening to Lord Denman, I am reminded of what occurred to
myself some ten months ago. It was a dull, cold day. I had been busily engaged collecting accounts for a factory I am employed at. About six o'clock in the evening, to finish my day's work, I got into an omnibus at the Bank, to take me to Stepney. I felt a numbness on getting in come into my finger-ends, and took ad. out of my pocket to be prepared to pay the fare. I pressed it between finger and thumb, but couldn't retain it,—it dropped in the straw. On getting out at Bow—for I went further than I should have done—I became aware of what had come upon me. I had to ask my way to Poplar. I could form "Poplar" in my mind, but 1 could not pronounce it to be understood; and so with other words, they were distinct in my mind, but I could not give them utterance. I went into this shop and that, but got laughed and stared at in my attempts to ask my way. At length I arrived at my friends' at Stepney, who welcomed me as a sane man, but stood aghast when they saw my condition, talking to them like a Dutchman. And now comes the strangest part of all. I was determined to keep safe the money I had collected in my pocket, which I was conscious of possessing on entering their house, and which I missed without their coming near me. I got home, which is at Camberwell, got to bed, and next morning could speak clear enough. The purse that I missed was brought to me as having been found in a corner of the room by the servant. I had not tasted beer or spirits all day. I was perfectly sober, and knew what I was doing.—I am, Sir, &c., S. E.
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