A REMARKABLE CASE.

Bruce Herald, Volume VI, Issue 399, 27 December 1871, Page 7

A REMARKABLE CASE.

Under this title the 'Times' publishes the following : — A very peculiar case, which has baffled several doctors, and which in a strange manner shows how life can be prolonged without anything in the shape of ordinary nutrition, has just come to light at a place ne.ir Preston. In the fold of Ennell-lnne, which closely adjoins the village of Wal-ton-le-Ddle, and which is about a mile, and a half from Preston, there is a cottage wherein for three years a young woman has been lying bedridden, and for between one and tw.o years has had nothmg to eat. Her name is Ann Riding ; "she is thirtyrhiee^'ea^s of a«e, and resides with her aunt. Puor to being taken ill, s«he was a strong, healfchy yodng woman, never losing h day' work, and was employed as an operative at the mill of Messrs Horrocks, iMiler, and Co., Preston. Shortly after sickness set in she left her work, was compelled to take to her bed, was medically attended, and tor three years has been gradually sinking. Several doctors hnve at times attended her, but none of them have been able to give her any substantial relief; and six months ago remedial operations were abindoned, and. the case left to itself, the idea of the aunt being that tha <( Almighty had to do with it," and ih<it it was useless conlinuing to incur expense for medicines wiihout any hope of a cure. Tor sixteen months the young woman has had no food at all, the only thing she could take being a drop of water with which to moisted her lips. She is frequently asked if she will not have food, food, but always refuses it; she bad no desii'e fo^fe t and how she has for su<;h a long periWFe&isted without -anything' possessing the least affinity to meat is a mystery. She is conscious, but very weak; tjets a little sleep, and cannot bear a lighted candle in^the room at night- time lh is supposed thac she is suffering from abdominal atrophy ; but the exact nature of the case is not positively understood, and it pniszles every one who is made acquainted with it, and especially when it is recollected that for a year and four months she has not had as much meat and drink as would have been requisite io sustain an infant a single day. The relatives of the.young woman are humble, honest people, and make no <f> show '' of the case, which is hardly known in the district.