The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-02-09
PRAYING FOR DEATH
John Carberry HiccOughing Him.
self Toward the Grave.
Remarkable Case that Is PuZZling Seven
New Jersey MISUNDERSTANDING
to Muscular BARRIERS.

NEWARK, n. J., Feb. 8.-Ten weeks ago
yesterday John Carberry, of p Webster
street, Newark, was a strong. robust,
medium-sizad man, weighing just 1f7 pounds
and in the enjoyment Of perfect health. To-
day he is q mere shadow of his former self,
weighing less than ninety pounds and
scarcely able TO talk, much less move, lying
on a couch at his parents home, anxiously
awaiting death to relieve the terrible agony
he is forced to endure. His awful suffer-
ings are due apparently to an attack OF
hiccoughs, which has baffled the skill OF
seven eminent specialists OF Newark, and
appears to grow worse daily despite their
efforts, as we'll as the hundred and one
home remedies usually applied in similar
cases.
The most peculiar phase of Carberry's
a~ffiiction is the manner in which 1t was
contracted. Ten weeks ago yesterday he
stopped at his BARRIERS. according TO his
usual custom on Wednesday, to get shaved.
While applying the lather, Carberry says,
the barber used unusual force on the chin,
and he was suddenly seized with an at
tack OF hiccoughs. 1t became SO violent
that he was forced to leave the chair be-
fore he had been shaved. After slipping
water and trying several other old-faSh-
Toned remedies without obtaining relief,
CdTDerTy ISII LOT IdlOT ) Saloon, on Belle
Vile avenue, where he was employed as
bartender. He was rapidly growing worse,
and, unable TO obtain relief, went home
and summoned DIR. Chapman after his
mother had tried mustard plaSters on the
chest and throat, potato poultices, sugar
and vinegar and several other household
remedies.
DR.. Chapman prescribed. and cheerily said
when leaving that the patient would be all
right the following day. But he was not,
and Dr.. Wendell was called in consultation
with DR.. Chapman Another day passed
without relief, and DIR. Corwin was added
to the list OF attendants, without any bet
ter results. The doctors Were puzzled. the
becoming seriously alarmed, added in turn
to the list of doctors Drs. Lyons, Zeh,
Towles and Hawk. The seven physicians
held consultation after consultation. APP
piled all known remedies internal and ex-
ternal, without affording the patient any
apparent relief. SO il continued from day
to day, with the patient rapidly growing
thin and emaciated, unable to sleep, eat
or drink, and the awful hiccOugh recurring
at regular intervals of thirty seconds, UNI
prnv that death might come TO his relief.
The doctors are SoTely puzzled and say
that such a case IS absolutely without pre-
cedent. They presumed he might be affect
ed with Inflammation of the stomach ana
have used hot water as an emetic without
affording the patient even temporary re
lief. The case has attracted widespread
attention. and hundreds of visitors call at
the house daily to ascertain the condition
of the patient. The final outcome is watched
with great interest by medical men and
ever one of standing in the vicinity has
been consulted as TO the probable result of
the strange malady. Carberry is a emper-
ance man, was always steady and regular
ter until five months ago, when he began to
tend bar.