Juvenilia: The Adventures of Holmes and the Amnesiac

My dear wife,
I am well aware of your great dislike for the danger that accompanies my friend Holmes. It is due to that that I regained from writing of this incident earlier. I had rather hoped to keep the whole of these facts secret, however, I find my mind unable to release the scene of late occurred, playing them back with continuing intensity, similar to a broken phonograph. I therefore am setting to paper these latest events in the hopes of clearing my mind. I hope they do not upset your delicate nerves. I will remind you that all the excitement is now passed and you need no longer fear for my well being.

I was in Oxford, attending an assembly of the medical profession, as I said before I left. We were hearing a lecture on the effects of long term amnesia (loss of memory) when I heard a familiar voice interrupt the speaker. Looking in the direction from which it came, I found it was indeed my friend Sherlock Holmes who was so vehemently attacking the theory in question (which was, that long term amnesia patients may adjust to a completely normal life, thus lessening the strain on their overworked brain and hastening recovery). I myself had had qualms concerning this very subject and Holmes proved me quite correct, as you shall see.

"I beg to differ, my dear sir," said Holmes rather too loudly to be ignored.

The speaker, not to be outdone by this upstart replied with even more alacrity, "You beg to differ with me, Sir? And who are you?"

Never to lose an opportunity to preen himself, Holmes continued. "I, Sir, am Mr. Sherlock Holmes. And I would like to put a few questions to your theory."

The speaker could hardly refuse, as all his esteemed colleagues sat with eager eyes upon the two. He nodded.

"Suppose," argued Holmes. "Just suppose that our amnesia patient was from a remote corner of the earth. A part so different as to have no similarities with present-day England at all. Yet at each step an eerie sense of recollection seems to haunt him. Continually he is reminded by unfamiliar scenes that he is not where he should be, but for the life of him, he cannot remember where it is he came from. Spontaneous reactions for our hypothetical case are quite different. So different as to make everyday life dangerous, new things a hazard. Using your prescription for this patient, naught would occur but a continual feeling of ill ease, growing daily until either suicide or natural causes killed him."

I agreed with every word Holmes said, and in fact had been about to interrupt and ask a similar question. The Speaker, however, was not at all pleased. He appeared to be turning different shades of red, and when Holmes ended his speech, bowed out rather ungracefully by attacking Holmes' own question.

"Sir, I would not hesitate to ask, if I thought an answer could be forthcoming, where such a place is that is so totally different from England yet nostalgic to the patient. I certainly have never encountered such a case. I also doubt that any of my distinguished fellow workers would come across such a case." And with that, he retired.

I ran over to catch Holmes and congratulate him on his brilliant strategy as the group broke up for a short break. My old friend seemed delighted to see me and took my arm, propelling me outside.

"Ah, Watson. I should have known you'd be here. Well, what do you think?"

I quite agree with you, Holmes, but may I ask you where you came across such a case, for I know you must be speaking of a particular person," said I.

"Quite correct, Watson. Quite correct. Must you stay here?" I shook my head, glad of a chance to retreat from the odor and heat of 200 fellow doctors in so small a space."