Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-05-08
Crawford the sculptor Interesting Account of h,
Illness from Mrs. Crawford.


letter from Mrs Crawford to gentleman of ,haSt
city, giving detailed account of The illness and no
sent condition of her distinguished husband w.
make some extracts from 1t:
1t is very nearly year since slight protrusion r
the ball of the left eye began to attract nv a,tento
but it was attributed by him to cold-to which h.
had often been subject; also to reading much and
late at night in reclining position. and always ON
The left side. This was in April last. | then lef,
Rome for the United States, where he Joined me in
the month Of July On meeting him after an inter.
val of four months, | Instantly perceived that tho
outward pressure of the eye had greatly increased
amounting to Sigh Disagreement. You, of conr.o
although you met him about this time, would ny
have been likely 10 detect it, not being familiar with
every feature. In the course of few weeks he him
self was startled by seeing oil objects doubled This
fact he became of for the first time on " mo
down one night in his usual posture for reading ana
finding inerlnlng lines on opening his book Thu
true focus of the eyes was lost by the dstenton of
The one diseased. He was most unwilling to give the
slightest attention or consideration TO this trouble AL
ways deluding himself with the hope that rest and
quiet would restore the sight it's ginal integrity
In October Mr.. Crawford crossed the ocean (Ss
you already know, the suffering in the eye seadilv
increasing, and accompanied by nervous headache
On reaching Paris he was recommended to consult
M Desmarres, an occuIist of distinction here, who
decided that tumor of some kind was gradually
forming behind the eye and causing the protrusion
prescribed medicines both for internal and external
use, and, believe, urged Mr.. Crawford to remain
here until the tumor should either yield to the infu
ence of this treatment be matured for operation
He could not recognize the necessity for remaining
but made his journey to Rome and plunged at once
into his artist life there. making use of NJ Desmarres
remedies only at intervals. The effect of these and
his labors united to increase greatly the distress
in the head and the eye while the latter became still
more distorted. physician was then called in to
remove, if possible the headaches, in which he was
ms nj TheV halo
On The 1st of December, DR.. Gibson, of your CITY,
arriving in Rome with letters of introduction and
reputation of some skill as surgeon, Mr.. c. Was in.
duced TO invite him to consult with his attending
physician The result was proposition from Dr.
Gibson to make an exploring operation on the follow
ing day, and ascertain, if possible, the nature SIZE
ETC., of the tumor. | copy DR.. CPS own account Of
the operation sent 10 my uncle, DR.. Francis of New
York:
81 performed, few days ago, slight operation
upon Crawford for the purpose of ascertaining the
character of lumor, situated in the orbit of the left
eye and which has caused protruson of the ball
half an inch beyond the surface of the right eve
had hoped 10 find sack ontanng fluid bu, moth
ing of the kind appeared, although penetrated into
The orbit to the depth of an inch and a half above
the ball, and also through the COM unctiva between
the ball and the caruncula lachrymails to the sane
extent. The only tumor could find or rather feel
was projecting from the orbitar plate near the
of quill and between quarter and half an inch
long. Upon making ncision into it [ found it
cartIaginous but could not trace it behind the eve
confess that with all my experience, find it very
difficult TO form diagnosis Of the disease, and an
very unwilling to believe that it may turn out naalig
| nant.n
From the sad consequences of this unfortunate ex
ploration Mr. Crawford recovered, the eve be.
/ coming more and more displaced. The steady ores
sure from behind by degrees dimming the sight-h,
eyelid thickenng-constant nausea and sickness, &c
that food of scarce any kind was retained, and Anal
ly frequent attacks of partial and temporary paraly
sis of the right side were all symptoms which follow
ed rapidly after DR.. Gibson's two incisions In THU
condition consultation held by all the mos
emin mt physicians in Rome the result of which wal
that MIR. Crawford ordered to Paris 1t is quite
true that the frequent attacks of paralysis made
doubtful whether he would ever reach Paris, ant
gave rise to the report and newspaper paragraph O
which you speak in your letter. He did, however ar
rive here with liteInconvenience and suffering ever
gaining strength and appetite. AT Dion he had hi
only paralysis, which, although very severe, passe
off, and left him quite comfortable again. Here h
saw Mr.. Notation, in whose hands he placed himself
together with Sichel, the oculist, and Velpeau, an
other surgeon Mr.. c. had come hither full of con
fidence that these men of great reputation would
perform the proper operation and in few weeks HI
should be himself again, and in bis studio. | cal
scarcely describe to you the disappointment was
not tell him, they told me, that 70 use the knif
were than daring, and the consequences of al
operation would be fatal in less than week. Never
theless he forewarned that the cure would b
extremely slow, and dependent upon the application
OF certain ointments, the administration of variou
medicines.
The tumor is believed, and pronounced by all VIII
have been consulted in this matter, (and their nam
is legion) to be cancerOuS, 10 be also intimately adht
rent, and even COMPOUNDED with the internal and VI
per portion of the left orbit It extends deep int
the orbit and has, before noticed, displaced th
q eye in q manner most pronounce. Judging from III
partial attacks of paralysis, it is supposed even
have far encroached within the skull that it acl
. upon the brain. Mr.. Nelaton, from whose writer
4 opinion have translated the foregoing, adds that il
: this state operation would be not only mole thai
h daring but inexcusable in his eyes, and in those
\ all men of science and experience. He considere
the hopeless from The beginning but thinks tina
. the malady may run on through many months-pe
haps year. For a short time after the making US
of prescribed medicines, Mr. c. seemed somewha
benefited, but ere long. they found to increas
the lancnating burning pains, and when Joined hi
;. neatly two months ago, they Uhe medicines) ha
q been abandoned. They have again, however, bee
attempted, but experience has taught that all
tenaI applications do but torture the patient, witt
out producing any good result. came to him strOn
in courage and full of hope, and, despite Mr.. Nell
tons conscien,iously expressed opinions, believe
! Tor awhile that tender nurslng comDlneo with SO
20 gorious constitution, would overcome the evil.
ID Certainly the worst symptoms did for awhile dsaE
il pear. but only to return again with full force. Nr1
a ton gradually fell away in his number Of visits an
of finally ceased coming at all. He confessed himse
" too much panied, in thus visiting incurable Cas-
= and under such circumstance, he suffered the who
20 affair to glide into the hands of eevr of his
nt BeyIard-a Philadelphia, | believe-who is mo-
n faithful in his care, and who does not hesitate
;s seek advice from older and other physicians whe
i; necessary Two weeks ago every avenue and dO(
~