The times., 1899-02-09
ALLEGED VICTIMS OF
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
The Death of Two Children
Causes Much Comment.
Medical Aid Comes Too Late to
Avail.
Health Officer Woodward May BE
Requested to Make an investiGn-
tiOn of the Case.

tiOn of the Case.
Developments of a sensational character
involving the Christian Scientists OF the
city are expected to result from an in
vestigation which will probably be begun
BY the local Health Department today as
a result OF the peculiar circumstances
surrounding the death several days ago of
the two children of William G. Crabbe.
of Fourth Street northeast.
1t is alleged that the children died I'm
der treatment by Christian Scientists, and
circumstances tend to prove the truth OF
the assertion. The parents Of the little
ones admit that medical aid was not called
until several days before the children died,
although they had been sick a week pre-
vious TO that time. The statement is made
that diphtheria was the cause of their
death The house was not placarded and
after death no disinfectants were used.
The children attended a kindergarten
school at 404 East Capitol Street. and,
though the little girl was kept home for
a week prior to her death, the boy was
permitted to go to the kindergarten until
the middle of last week. 1t is believed 10
be quite certain that the boy died with
diphtheria and the possibility of the con-
tagion having been spread through him has
aroused the ire OF those citizens who are
aware of some of the circumstances sur
rounding the case in the Crabbe family
Physicians, who learned Of some of the
details yesterday, think that the preva-
lence of scarlet fever and diphtheria on
Capitol Hill is to be attributed directly to
the fact that the children OF Christian
Scientists in that part OF the city have
been permitted to attend schools and kim
dergartens.
The family is very reticent concerning
the matter. and this is particularly true
of the mother. who is a believer in Chris
tian Science and who studied the mind
and matter treatment under Mr. and Mrs.
John F. Linscott, the leaders of the local
Christian Science congregation.
William G. Crabbe, the father ol the
children. is a clerk in the War Depart
ment For period of two years he has
been studying medicine in the night classes
of the Columbian University Medical
School. He does not believe in Christian
Science, and stated to a reporter for The
! Times late last night that while he was
willing that his wife should be Chris
tian Scientist, he would not think Of per-
mitting his children to be i'll without call
ing in the services of a physician.
THE sickness Of my children was very
deceivIng to me-" he said. Lucille. the
| G-year- old little girl seemed to be i'll about
| a week ago. We then kept her at home.
The little boy, Charley, years old, was
| not sick then. as far as / know. and we
| allowed him to go to the kindergarten
of Miss Jessie Holemau. around the cor
| ner in East Capitol Street. until the
middle of last week.. We then kept him
at home. We did not think either of the
children was seriously i'll. and they ran
! around the house and played until just be-
| fore they died. Lucille became worse on
Thursday Several persons in the house
| have been suffering with the grip, my
wife had the grip, and had touch OF it.
so we thought Lucille was also victim
| OF the disease.
We called in the services of DR.. Arthur
Lawrence OF the Columbian University. on
| Thursday. He examined Lucille and said
| that she had the grip. The next day she
! died and the doctor gave certificate OF
| death from that disease. On Saturday the
little boy seemed to be very i'll. He grew
| worse and ON Sunday he died. The doctor
| said that the little fellow had the grip.
| but thought he also exhibited symptoms of
| diphtheria. Before Charley died. the doc
| tor, who is recognized physician, took
| cultures and sent them to the Health Of
! fee for examination. ! think the doctor
| gave a certificate OF death from diphthe-
| ria in the second case"
| Mr.. Crabbe said that he went to work
during the sickness of his children and was
not certain whether either of them had
been given treatment by Christian Scient-
! lists. He admitted that DIR. and Mrs. Lin
scott, OF the Christian Scientist Church.
| had visited his home, but could not tell
| whether they had treated the sufferers He
| did not know whether his wife had tried
| the faith cure. but said that such might
| have been the case without his being aware
| Of il.
He stated that Mrs. Crabbe would know
| whether such was the case. bur Mrs.
Crabbe refused to say anything for publ
| cation.
Relatives and friends Of the family,
which is a prominent one, were aware OF
the visits OF the Christian Scientists and
are considerably exercised. Had physi-
clan been called when the children frs:
| exhibited symptoms of Illness. they say
| their lives might have been saved. as IL
was. DR.. Lawrence was not summoned un-
| til the day before the death of the littl.
girl
| Christian Science has many advocates il
this city. and the congregation meets twice
every Sunday in the Scottish Rite Temple
at 100. G Street northwest. During las,
summer DIR. and Mrs L.inscott, the leader:
of the congregation, gave a series of les
sons on Christian Science. and Mrs. Crabbe
| lnt Ul lllt SllUktH tHliuTtU, attend
| ed them. AT the lectures the method by
which mind and matter are overcome wa.
explained and graduates of the classes were
supposed to be able to cure diseases. NAM
Christian Scientists. however do not be
lieve in all the tenets of the faith ant
these are greatly disturbed over III,
Crabbe case.
DR. Mary ParsonC. of 1916 Street north
west, who has wide practice and is ss'
member of the Washington Medica
Society learned of the Crabbe case yes
terday, and endeavored to bring il to th
notice OF alth Officer Woodward les
night The Medical Society met last nigh
and DR. Parsons had hoped TO be able Il
speak to DIR. Woodward about the matter a
that meeting DR.. Woodward, however
was not present DIR. Parsons converset
with other prominent physicians about tn
affair and they agreed with her that
thorough investigation should be made b.
the Health Department. pr. Parsons ma,
bring the matter to the attention of Dr
Woodward today, but if she does not, othe
physicians will probably take action.
Movements of Naval Vessels.
The Navy Department has been lnforme
that the Detroit has sailed from Mama
Milo for New Orleans to participate in tn
Mardi Gras festivities The Lebanon ha