New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-04-29
TIE CASE or Mr.. CRAWFORD.

passages:
"Itis very nearly year since flight protrusion
of the ball Of the left eye began to attract my h;ch
ton but il was attributed by him to cold-to whics
he had often been subject; also to reading nucn anu
late al night in reclining position ana siwaS On cue
left eide This was in April last then ie'! NUM- III
the United States, where he joined me IA ,i0 Sc I'm
OF July On meeting him after an interval OF iour
months I instantly perceived that the outward pres
sure of the eye had greatly increased amounting 70
slight Disagreement. You, OF course ai'nousn you
mot him about this time, would not have been likely
o., detect If not being familiar with every feature. In
tbe course Of few weeks he himself was startled by
seeing all objects doubled This fact he became aware
of for the first time on lying down night in his
usual posture for reading and finding internear lines
on opening his book. The true focus Of the eyes
ost by the distension Of the one diseased. He was
most unwilling TO give the slightest attention or consid
Grafton this trouble always deluding himself with
the h0pe that rest and quiet would the sight to
its original integrity. In October Mr. Crawford
crossed the ocean the suffering in the eye steadily in
creasing, and accompanied by nervous headache. On
reaching Paris no was recommended to consult M.
Desmaes an ocuIist of distinction here, who decided
that tumOr Of some kind was gradually forming be-
hind the eye and causing protrusloni prescribed
medicines both for internal and external use, and
believe, urged Mr. Crawford TO remain here until the
tumOr should either yield 10 the influence Of this treat
ment be matured for operation He could not recog-
Dize the necessity for remaining but made his journey
TO Rome and plunged at into his artist life there,
making use Of NJ. DesmarTes remedies only at inter
walls. The effect of these and his labors united was to
increase greatly the distress in the head and the eye,
while the latter became still more distorted. ply
stefan was then called in TO remove, if possible the
headaches, in which he was unsuccessful.
On the LIST Of December, DR.. Gibson Of your city
arriving in Rome with letters of Introduction, and
reputation Of some skill az surgeon, Mr.. C. was in
duced to invite him to consult with his attending ply
scian The result was proposition from DR.. Gibson
TO make an exploring operation the following day,
and ascertain if possible the nature, siZe, etc. OF the
tumors copy DR.. Gbson's own account of the OPP
Grafton, sent to my uncle, Dr. Francis of New-fork
performed days ago slight operation upon Crsw
ford Tor the purpose s.ceranng the character Of umor
situated the orbit Of the LEFT eye and which has caused pro-
truson the bal half inch beyond the surface of the right
eye had hoped to find containing hud but nothing
2. the kind although s b into the 9Io 70
the counctva between the ball and the caruncua schyms
projecting from orbsI plate the ce,hnoid
BONE about the size and shape of the end of quill and be-
cison into it found it cartagnou could it
hind the eye comics, that with al my experience find it
UNIV Hing to believe that it may turn out malignant"
From the sad consequences Of this unfortunate e1-
ploration Mr.. Crawford never recovered, the eye
becoming more and more displaced. The steady
pressure from behind by degrees dimmng the sight,
the eye-lid thcksnng, the bone of the orbit becoming
spoDgy constant nausea and sickness so that food OF
scarcely any kind was retained, and finally frequent
attacks of partial and temporary paralysis of the
right -ide were all symptoms which followed rapidly
after DR.. GbsOn's two incisons. In this condition
consultation was iheld by all the most emf
nent physicians in Rome, the result of which was
that Mr. Crawford was ordered to Paris. Ii is quite
true that the frequent attacks of paralysis made it
doubtful whether he would reach Paris, and gave
rise TO the report and newspaper paragraph OF which
you speak in your letter. He did, however, arrive
here with little inconvenience and suffering, even
gaining strength and appetite. At Dion he had
his only paralysis, which, although very severe,
passed off, and left him quite comfortable again
Here he Mr.. Nelaton, in whose hands he
placed himself, together with Sichel, the oculiS
vi Mr. had snna
hther full of confidence that these men of 40 great
reputation would perform the proper operation
mot in DR.. Gibsons style, and in few weeks he
should be himself again, and in his studio. can
scarcely describe to you the disappointment was to
himtc know that none could be effected. They did
not tell him. they told me- that to the knife were
worse than daring and the consequences of an opera
ton would be fatal in less than week. Nevertheless,
he was forewaned that the cure would be extremely
slow and dependent upon the application of certain
ontments the administration of various medicines.
The tuInor il believed, and pronounced by oil who
have been consulted in the matter land their name IL
legion to be cancerOus to be also Intimately adher
ent and COMPOUNDED with the internal and upper
portion of the left orbit. 1t extends dep into the
orbit and has, as before noticed, displaced the eye
in manner most pronounce. Judging from the par
ta attacks Of paralysis is supposed TO have
so far encroaChed within the skull that it acts
upon the brain. Mr.. Nelaton, from whose written
opinion have Translated the foregoing, adds that
in this state an operation would be not only more
than daring but inexcusable in his eyes and In those
of all men of science and experience. He considered
the case hopeless from the beginning but thinks that
the maady may run on through many months-per-
haps year. For n short time after the making use
of prescribed medicines, Mr. c. seemed somewhat
benefited, but long they were found to increase
the lancinating burning pains, and when Joined HIM
nearly two months ago they the mediclnesl had been
abandoned. They have again, however, been al
tempted but experience has taught Inc that all exter-
nal applications do but torture the patient without
producing any good result. came to him strong in
courage and full of hope, and despite M. Nelaons
conscienciously expressed opinions. believed Tor
while that tender nursing combined with vigorous
a constitution, would overcome the evil. Certainly the
worst symptoms did for while disappear, but only to
return again with full force. Nelaton gradually fell
away in his number Of visits and finally ceased COM
ing at all. lie confessed himself too much panied in
thus visiting incurable case and under such cir
cumstances he suffered the whole affair to glide into the
hands of an eleve of his NJ. Beyard-a Phadelphian,
bslieve-who il most faithful IN his care, and who
does not hesitate to seek advice from older and other
physicians when necessary. Two weeks ago every
avenue and door of hope seemed closed against me-
All the most unfavorable symptoms REQUIRED so ire
quently that to look forward to happy terInlnaton
they babe me believe madness and wilfulness on
my part. And yet since then, the dear, patient In
valid has again rallied enjoying returning appetite
long, refreshing sleeps, freedom from pam, &c. we
know not if this be attributable 10 slight salvation
undergone, with view of arresting this dreadful
tumor or the fact that the brain may have become
accustomed TO the pressure aud thus granted respite
from suffering. MIR. Crawford feels assured that he is
soon 10 be well again, and they bid ME not TO unde-
ceive him, nasmuch as the depression which such a
disclosure would cause might deprive him Of the
energy that may in the end enable him TO combat vic
toriously the malady. The utmost that he anticipates
is the possible loss of the offending eye, and Of
this possibility he is only half convinced. The sight
has long since been darkened, and the swollen lid
closed over it. And yet, should the tumor disappear
il is not improbable that the eye may be restored.
MORE ABOUT THE POISONING CASE