New-York tribune., 1885-02-20
SIX WEEKS WITHOUT FOOD
SINGULAR CASE AT BLOOMSBURY, N. j.

Bloomsbury. N. j., is small village on the line
Of the New-Jersey Central Railroad, about seven
miles from Philpsburg, tho border station between
New-Jersey and Pennsylvania. For over century
it has been as peaceful as calm summer day, and
the passengers from tho trains as they passed
swiftly through saw town of about 200 inhabl-
tants undisturbod by the connections Of the out
side world and perfectly cOntented with the duties,
amusements and joys of an unrufiled country life.
During the last month, however. Bloomsbury
has been much talked about in Western
Jersey, and the villagers have been aroused
from their usual apathy on account of the exist
ence of phenomenon within its borders. The topic
of conversation n the drug shop the grocery store,
the post office and about the cosy fresdes in this
town and for many miles around is the remarkable
case OF Marv Crandall.
Mrs. Crandall came to the village about eight
years ago from the interior of New-York State. She
is native of Ireland and about sixty-four years of
age -Four years ago she fell while passing through
doorway leading into her yard and struck her back
violently upon a door-sill. receiving 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 hav-
ing no means Of support, she became charge upon
the township and has since lived with Overseer
Laire, who has extension on the side OF his
house in which the town paupers are kept When
admitted 10 the poorhouso she was somewhat
above the average weight, and soon began to accu-
mulate flesh with great rapidity. This habit con-
;inucd and when taken sick about three months
ago. she had become so fat as to be hardly able TO
move and was estimated to weigh ut least 800
hounds. She complained when she first became Ill
of severe pains in the abdomen and of 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 10 move from her cot
Her symptoms indicated rather severe attack OF
inflammation of tho lining membranes of
the stomach. Dr. j. 5. Lindaberry who at
tends cases of sickness at the poor-house.
prescribed some tonics for Mrs Crandall, but tue
treatment did not have much effect.
On January she was fed beef soup for her
MONDAY meal by Overseer Lare. After eating
few spoonfuls she was attacked with sudden
fantncss. fell upon her pillow and Immediately be-
gan TO yomIt not only what she had eaten but
also n large quantity of dark green nuid
The ncxt-tIme food was offered to her by the nurse
she sad:
Il will never eat again"
When the nurse insisted that she must eat If she
wanted 10 get we'll she replied
"Ican live without il. When get hungry Ill
let you know
Since that time forty-thrce days ago, she has not
taken a particlc Of food. She not only refuses to
eat but on seeing food will be attacked by violent
spasms. which are followed bysevere retchings aud
a period of apparently suspended animation.
The room in which she is kept is small. Her cot IL
i'm one corner Of IT, and dlagonally across the room
il another cot, Ia which young girl has lam Tor
some weeks sick with pneumonia. The sight or
fredlng tnis other patient has caused Mrs trahuaii
great agony and a screen was placed between INC
il waa .hcuaht at FIRST that this strange action
was only sick woman's whlm aud wonid speedily
wear on but despite every EFFORT that mas
been made TO induce Mrs Crandall to eat she mas
prrslst,ntly refused. In the early stage Of tho
disease she was forced 10 take medicine against
nrr will but not being able 10 retain any of It, all
attempts to glvc II to her were stopped nearly IA
month ago. tier strange condition has not been
accompanied by deliTium. though al tlino she mas
mad dcius"us, winch. however. were easily
di-pclcd. At intervals her mind wandered back
to Iceland and she would talk for
hours of the scenes OF her cnildhood; but
nrr general mental condition has been state oi
>-mi-stupor. II took considerable orort to arouse
her but hen thoroughly awakened she uhder,
stnod " hat was said to her, especially II shouted
loudly and replied naturally she does not take
the slightest interest IN what II gong on, ana II
able 10 tell much better how she toll year ago
than to express her present feelings.
She has lam IN nearly one position
an the time. However she may nave
been turned IN the bed. IN a short time she would
suuirIn around until she got upon her back win
slight incline toward the rIght slue ana "ou.u NC
m tnat position for days If left untouched Since
about Il week after She stopped eating sue mas,
whether asleep or awake, kept mp constantly low
pitious moan. cXcep; when taiklrg Al Times the
moan would become 80 loud that II could be heard
ali through the house. Tbs would last Tor ABOUT
an hour aud then she would SINK lhto
"a stupor that resembled d'ath, ana SeNefdi times
when in this condition the nurse thought she was
dead. - ,., E
About week ago Mrs. Crandal complained OF
intense thirst. Wncn asked /. she would nave
Ahp II
tmubler full was brought. " hen n was presented
20 her she for the first tlmc manifested PeasuI W
the SIGHT III food or drink. and the hopes OF her
attendants were frightened. When the glass was
placed to her mouth and the water touched ler
ilps these hopes speedily dspehed Al the Urst
aiiempt To swallow she was seized with telrlpie
spasn, IN the throat and for few moments sur
lerrd tine most horrible agony since thena achalt
has been placed by the side Of her bed ana upon IL
a tumbler of water In which II u clay pipc-sIen,
the object being TO sec if she could get use % tue
sig Il OF water and # she would agaln ask ior IL.
On tuesday morning last she indicated deSire 70
drink The glass was placed close 10 her ana the
pipe-stem put into her mouth. ana she was tolu "
snck the stem she did So, ana swai-
lowed about half an ounce oi me nqna'
No spasms followed and she has taken drink sew
era tines since The same way, bu' on some oefa
SONS II has been followed D paroxysinS. lhe niea
of taking food, however. has become 80 fepoenan'
that the doors have TO be closed 10 prevent hci lo
Last night TRIBUNE reporter saw Mrs. Cran-
dali. She lay In her favsritc POSITION ana was
moaning. She still stout. though II IS estimated
that she has ost 100 pounds. Her face, s'irsionteu
by snow white halr, was dcathly Pale. w men
asked If she would like piece OF chickeh' d
shudder passed over her body and she ana IDt
answer. When any portion OF her body was
touched she shrunk away and Indicated pam
Her feet and legs to the Knees a, ar a. aanhw ahw
have been ley cold the touch Her ilesh is haooy
and the skin "a mass of wrinkles. IT,,
Overseer Lalre and the nurses are consiuereu
trustworthy people, and their statements tna' n' no
food has Deen taken by Mrs. Crandall since jan
nary are believed by the townspeople Dr Liiiun-
berry estimates that Mrs. CrandalPs BODY contains
enough flesh to keep her alive thirty days longer
without food.
CAPTAIN PHELAN GLAD TO GET NOME.
KANSAS CITY, Feb. 19.-Captain Thomas
Phelan returned last evening from Newfork after nav