The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-02-25
From the Trenton Times
+ A HUNTERDoN COUNTY WOMAN
FASTING FOR 43 DAYS.
Or. Tanner Beaten.

oechuie Il eHatge upon the township, and
has since lived with Overseer Laire. who
has an extension OF the side of his house
IN which the town paupers are kept.
When admitted to the poor-house she was
somewhat 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
mad become so fat as to be hardly able to
move, and was estimated 70 weigh at
least 800 pounds. She complained when
she first became i'll of severe pains in the
abdomen aud 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 to move from
hercot. Hei symptoms Indicated rather
severe Alta of inflammation ofthe lining
membranes of the stomach. DR.. j. S.
Lindabury. who attends cases of sickness
at the poor house, prescribed some tonics
Tor Mrs. Crandall, but the treatment did
not have much effect.
WHAT STARTED THE FAST. rs
On January Z she was fed some beef
soup for her MONDAY meal by Overseer
Laire. After eating few spoonfuls she
was attacked with q sudden fantness, fell
upon her pillow and Immediately began
to yomit not only what she had eaten,
but also large quantity of dark green
huid, The next time food was offered to
her by the nurse she said
=" will never eat again
When the nurse insisted that she must
cat ii she wanted to get well, she replied
" | can live without it. When | get
hungry Ill let you know ==
Since that time, forty.three 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 ANNA
ton. The room in which she is kept is
small. Her cot is IN one corner of it.
-" "isS ohahJ oSioSo tie fOuul is anOIner
cot in which a young girl has lain for
some weeks sick with pneumonia. The
sight of feeding this other patient has
caused Mrs. Crandall great agony, and a
screen was placed between the cots.
IL was thought at first that this strange
action was only sick woman within and
would speedily wear off, but despite every
effort that has been made to induce Mrs.
Crandal! to cat she has persistently re-
fused. In the early stage of the disease
she was forced 10 take medicine against
her will, but not being able to retain any
OF it, al attempts to give 1t to her were
stopped nearly a month ago. Her strange
condition has not been accompanied by
delirium, though at times she has had de-
lusions, which, however, were easily dis
PEELED. At intervals her mind wandered
back to Ireland, and she would talk for
hours Of the scenes of her childhood but
her general mental condition has been a
state of semi-stupor 1t took consider
able effort TO arouse her, but when
thoroughly awakened she understood
what was said to her. especially if shouted
loudly, aud replied naturally. She does
not take the slightest interest in what ID
going on, and is able to tell much better
how she felt year ago than to express
her present feelings.
HER PRESENT CONDITION.
She has lain in nearly one position all
the time. However she may have been
turned in the bed, in short time she
would squirni around until she got upon
her back, with a slight incline toward the
right side, and would lie in that position
for days if left untouched. Since about
week after she stopped eating she has
whether asleep or awake, kept up con-
siantly low, piteous moan, except when
talking. At times the moan would be-
come SO loud that it could be heard all
through the house. This would last for
about an hour, and then she would sink
into stupor that resembled death, and
several times when in this condition the
nurse thought she was dead.
Abont week ago Mrs Crandan COM
planned of intense thirst. When asked if
she would have some water she replied in
the affirmative, and a lumber full was
brought. When it was presented to her
she for the first time manifested pleasure
at the sight of food or drink, aud the
hopes of her attendants were frightened.
When the glass was placed to her mouth
and the water touched her lips these hopes
were speedily dispelled At the first at
tempt to swallow she was seized with a
terrible spasm IN the throat, and for a
few moments suffered the most horrible
agony. Sincs then chair has been
placed by the side of her bed, and upon
it a tumbler Of water, in which is a clay
pipe.stem, the object being to see il she
could get used to the sight of water, and
if she would again ask for it. On. Tues
day morning last she Indicated desire 10
drink. The glass was placed close to her
and the pipestem put into her mouth,
and she was told to suck the stem. She
did so, and swallowed about half an
ounce of the liquid. No spasms followed,
and she has taken drink several times
since in the same way, but on some occa-
sions it has been followed by paroxysms.
The idea of taking food, however, has
become SO repugnant that the doors have
to be closed to prevent her from smelling
it. She has lost $50 pounds, and her face
is deathly pale. Her feet and limbs up
to the knees are icy cold to the touch
Her flesh is fabby, and the skin is mass
OF wrnk les. DR.. Lindabury thinks Mrs.
Crandall's body contains enough flesh to
keep her alive thirty days longer without
food. 1si ~ Sc laM a5s
Congressman Pidcock says that abou,
every Democratic politician of this county
hoe Lad n ~. -, III.