Dr. Daniel Beltz swore it was true. So did Mrs. Beulah Hunter, 25. And
Baby Penny Diana did have a knowing look about her. But other doctors at
Los Angeles' Methodist Hospital found it incredible that Mrs. Hunter had
been pregnant 375 days before her baby was
born there last week; 375 days would be the longest pregnancy on record,
topping the runner-up by about 58 days.The evidence as presented by Dr. Beltz: a laboratory test indicated
pregnancy last March 24. The date of Mrs. Hunter's last menstrual
period was Feb. 10. Everything proceeded as usual for three months.
Then there was “apparent cessation of growth,” until at six months Mrs.
Hunter felt life for the first time. Fetal heartbeat was first detected in September. But, asked the skeptics, if gestation went on so long, why did Penny
Diana weigh only 6 lb. 15 oz.?Replied Dr. Beltz: “Some of the doctors . . . laugh. But I just show
them the record.” To suggestions that Mrs. Hunter may have had a
miscarriage and second pregnancy, he replied: “Quite impossible.”
