My name is David Diggs. I am a surgeon, living at No. 9 Tottenham
Court. On the 15th of June, 1854, I was called to see an elderly
gentleman lodging on the Kent Road. Found him highly excited, with
strong febrile symptoms, pulse 120, increasing. Repeated
incoherently what I judged to be the popular form of a conundrum.
On closer examination found acute hydrocephalus and both lobes of
the brain rapidly filling with water. In consultation with an
eminent phrenologist, it was further discovered that all the organs
were more or less obliterated, except that of Comparison. Hence
the patient was enabled to only distinguish the most common points
of resemblance between objects, without drawing upon other
faculties, such as Ideality or Language, for assistance. Later in
the day found him sinking,--being evidently unable to carry the
most ordinary conundrum to a successful issue. Exhibited Tinct.
Val., Ext. Opii, and Camphor, and prescribed quiet and emollients.
On the 17th the patient was missing.
CHAPTER LAST.
STATEMENT OF THE PUBLISHER.
On the 18th of June, Mr. Wilkie Collins left a roll of manuscript
with us for publication, without title or direction, since which
time he has not been heard from.
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