A SIX WEEKS' EAST.

Western Star, Issue 962, 4 July 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

A SIX WEEKS' EAST.

Bloomsburg, N. J., Feb. 19.—Thi B small village, on the line of the New Jersey Central, is greatly stirred by the remarkable case of Mary Crandall. She is a native of Ireland, and about sixty-four years of age. Pour years since she fell while passing through a doorway into her yard and struck her back violently upon a door-sill, receiving a permanent injury to the spine. Since then her body has been bent forward and she has been able to walk only with the aid of crutches. Soon after' her fall, having no means of support, she became a charge upon the township, and haß since lived with Overseer Laire. When admitted to the Poorhouse she was Bomewhat above the average weight, and soon began to accumulate flesh with great rapidity. This habit continued, and when taken sick, about three months ago, she had become bo fat as to be hardly able to move, and was estimated to weigh at least 350 pounds. She complained when she first became ill of severe pains in the abdomen and nausea, but insisted upon getting up from her bed every day until about two months ago, when she became so weak that she was unable to move from her cot. On January 7th she was fed some beef soup for her Monday meal by Overseer Laire. After eating a few spoonfuls she was attaeked with a sudden faintness, fell upon hsr pillow, and immediately began to vomit, not only what she had eaten, but also a quantity of dark green fluid. The next time food was offered •to her by the nurse she said: " I will never eat again." When the nurse insisted that she must eat if she wanted to get well, she said: "lean live without it; when I pet hungry I'll let you know." Since that time, fortythree days ago, she has not taken a particle of food. She not only refuses to eat, but on seeing food will be attacked by violent spasms, which are followed by severe retchings and a period of apparently suspended animation. It was thought at first that this strange action was only a sick woman's whim, and would Bpeedily wear off, but despite every effort that has been made to induce Mrs. Crandall to eat, she has persistently refused. In the early stage of the disease she was forced to take medicine against her will, but not being able to retain any of it, all attempts to give it to her ceased nearly a month ago. Her strange condition has not been accompanied by delirium, though at times she has had delusions, which, however, were easily dispelled. On Tuesday last she managed to take a little water. The overseer and the nurses make these statements, and they are fully believed in the village.