The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-11-13
STRANGE. : !.
4 CASE THIS.
Eighty-Nine Needles Re-
moved From the Body
of Hannah Reard0n.

The case Of Hannah Reardon mentioned
exclusively In the Republican on Sstur-
day Is An unique one SO far a. the medi-
cal profession men can learn. DR.. Swith-
In Chandler has succeeded In taking 80
needles. In whole and part. from her body.
Hannah has been employed as a domes-
tic at tho residence Of J. n. Mather. No.
1921 Madison street.
About two months ago Hannah camo
from County Kilkenny. ireland, and Sc
cared employment with her sister at the
above address, She had been about the
house only week when she complained
Of having sorc finger. Mrs. Mather
sent her to the office Of DR.. Swlthiu ChAnd
Ter for treatment. An examination show.
cd that thera was foreign substance be-
meath the skin. The lance was used and
whole needle was taken out. Then
came another and another and another,
and finally fourth one.
The physician and the girl were equally
surprised. Next day tho girl called upon
the doctor again. and complained of the
finger again, and on that day three whole
needles and two half ones were distracted
For several days in succession tho girl
called upon the doctor, and upon each oc-
casion needles. or parts of them were
taken from her finger, until they numbered
thirty-nino. Then they began to appear
about her breast and fifteen more were
taken beneath the skin. Then tho needles
seemed to bs scattered and wore taken
from hor thighs, arms, back and abdomen.
Toa reporter DR.. Chandler said: Ths
girl tells me that when she was very small
her mother died and she was sent to a
Catholic home. She remained there until
three months ago when she left Kilkenny
and came to Wilmington Sho tolls me
that there were number OF small Chill.
dren in the convent home and they used
to play In the sewing room where the
larger girls worked. They went there
every day and would steal needlos. When
the sisters would enter they often put the
needles in their mouths In order to keop
from being detected and she remembers
having swallowed several of them But
she can not remember having swallowed
nearly at many needles as We have taken
from her body.
Some Of tho needles wore az strong as
they use in sewing carpet. 1t Is really mar
vclous to know how she swallowed the
needles and lived with them inside her.
They s:unted her growth. Sho is 10 years
of age and Is about four foet three inches
in height and weighs about SO pounds.
Every one Is interested in her case. Every
one is Interested in her marvellous case.
On account of hor deicacy the sisters wore
very considerable towards her. When she
came here she commenced hcusework and
in sweeping and bending over she helped
to move the needles. They worked to
point beneath the skin and then they were
discovered. She is a plucky little girl an1
her cnse is marvellous. There are some
more needles yet in her body. I hope to
BIO able to secure them all and then the
girl will begin to develop fully.
Another operation will be performed to-
day aud more needles will DO taken from
her lntestines. DR.. Chandler stated fur
Their to the reporter that some time ago he
took IL pieces Of nesdles from the left
hand OF Maggie Kelley Of Horny Clay.
She was employed as domestic aud was
scrubbing about the house. Wishing to
secure a new cloth she secured piece that
hung on n book. As she started to wiring
it II needles pisrcsd her hand. Tho cloth
contained q whole lot OF needles but the
girl did not know Of their presence. But
In this instance the needles were known
has become a curiosity Is resting easier
since the noodles have been removed.