Williston Graphic in Williston, North Dakota

Keen Mind Shows Selective Memory Loss From Brain Disease

A Popular Science Monthly writer describes a business man with sharp general memory who unexpectedly loses ability to read and perform calculations. Letters 4 g q x y vanish from sight and writing must spell out words. He cannot read three letter words or write the five troubled letters. Numbers like 6 7 8 confuse him though other numbers are known. Time sense vanishes and familiar streets become foreign for weeks. All memories later return except letters and digits. Such a defect, caused by a small brain-area disease, proves memories are separate and rely on sound brain function.