Jumping Frenchmen

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

Man, there are some weird medical conditions out there in the world.

Today's find:

The Jumping Frenchmen of Maine. If you shouted a command at them suddenly, they would have a startle reflex that forced them to obey the command, even if it wasn't something they would otherwise do. They also would repeat the command that was shouted at them.

Anyone know of any other interesting and crazy conditions?

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Man, there are some weird medical conditions out there in the world.

Today's find:

The Jumping Frenchmen of Maine. If you shouted a command at them suddenly, they would have a startle reflex that forced them to obey the command, even if it wasn't something they would otherwise do. They also would repeat the command that was shouted at them.

Anyone know of any other interesting and crazy conditions?

If I read correctly, it was a one-time thing in the 1800's. Who knows what was going on. I'm surprised people didn't accuse them of being witches.

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Specializes in ER, Med/Surg.
If I read correctly, it was a one-time thing in the 1800's. Who knows what was going on. I'm surprised people didn't accuse them of being witches.

That is when it was, but they had 50 people that did it, not an isolated incident. It also spanned 2-3 generations in some cases.

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You can read about Miracle Mike the headless chicken.

Mike the Headless Chicken - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I believe I have seen nurses in similar condition after certain shifts.

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Man, there are some weird medical conditions out there in the world.

Today's find:

The Jumping Frenchmen of Maine. If you shouted a command at them suddenly, they would have a startle reflex that forced them to obey the command, even if it wasn't something they would otherwise do. They also would repeat the command that was shouted at them.

Anyone know of any other interesting and crazy conditions?

Wikipedia - really???

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
Wikipedia - really???

Yup. It wasn't meant to be scientific literature. Just interesting and random.

Although if you know if and journal articles about the jumping Frenchmen, I would read those too :)

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