The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-17
CORONER AFTER X.SCENTISTS
PHYSICIAN SAYS MUM MIGHT
HAYE BEEN CURED.

HIS Family Refused Medical Treatment
Untf TOO Late-Depended on Christian
BCienoe-TFOubls Only Mental. They
said, Despite His Serious Injuries.
Coronsr F1aherty Of Brooklyn intends
10 make an investigation into the death Of
Alderman W, Num- the accountant, who
died at his home, 90 Putnam avenue ,Wednes-
day evening. The Coroner believes that
had Mr.. Num- received proper medical
treatment such as he advised over a week
ago, Mr.. Num- would by this time have been
on the road TO recovery.
II was about a week ago that Coroner
Flaherty heard that Mr.. Num- was In a
critical condition, the result Of injuries
sustained on Jan. ~ by falling from a sta
ton platform on the Long Island Railroad.
After ten days in 81. Mary's Hospital. Mrs.
Num-, against the advice OF the hospital
surgeons had him removed 10 her home.
When Coroner Flaherty learned that Mr..
Num- was being treated by Christian Science
methods he called at the house and had a
long talk with Mrs. Num- and her daughter.
He told her that in case anything should
happen 70 Mr.. Num- he would be obliged
to make a thorough investigation, Mrs.
Num- said that she and Mr. Num-
and their daughter believed In Christian
Science and that Mr.. Num- was recovering
under the treatment
Coroner Flaherty desired to send physi-
clan. but Mrs Num- opposed such a step.
The following day. however, she consented,
and Coroner Flaherty sent DR.. Charles T.
Phillips, who reported that, while Mr.. Num-
was In a very bad condition, yet with proper
medical treatment there was no reason why
he should not recover speedily. Still Mrs.
Num- declined 10 call in a physician, and
at o'clock Wednesday afternoon, when
she saw that Mr.. Num- was dying, she
summoned a physician. Mr. Num- died
before his arrival.
DR.. Emil F. Hartung, the Coroner's physi-
clan, yesterday made an autopsy on the body
OF Mr.. Num-. Later he reported to Coroner
Flaherty that Mr.. Num- had been suffering
from oedema Of the brain, valvlilar heart
disease and liberation Of the intestines,
while there was also evidences Of starvation
from lack Of proper nourishment.
Had the man received proper medical
attention and proper nourishment,' said
DR.. HartIng there is no reason, in my
opinion, why he would not have been cured
entirely, and at any rate medical treatment
would have prolonged his life for at least
six years.
Mrs. Num- was not a bit perturbed last
evening and said her faith In Christian
Science had not received the slightest
setback owing to the death Of her hus-
band. Eve are certain she said. that
were It not for Christian Science he would
not have been with US as long as he was
Il -. II
trouble. Mr.. Num- had been attending
the Christian Science Church on Lafayette
avenue for six months before he met with
this accident, and he felt sure that If any
thing could be done for him we could do IL.
The Coroner's doctor came here and said
certain things that greatly worried Mr..
Mum, and he worried good deal over it.
and then again this publicity worked against
The treatment"
in what way did the publicity work
against the Christian Science treatment
was asked.
why said Mrs. Nunn's daughter, so
much was said in the papers about the
matter that a great many people were
thinking Of the case. So while our thoughts
rs healers were concentrated on him the
thoughts OF so many Others we're work.
ng against his recovery
Mrs, Mum said that at one time she and
her sister were both i'll, and the doctors
had given them up. but they healed them
selves through Christian Science. She
laid her husband began to show improve
nent from the time he was taken from the
hospital and entered his own home. She
,aid that dread Of the hospital was 80 firmly
1Xed that he went out OF his mind and was
violent for two weeks, In that time he
went out in the street In soant attire and
imagined that an attempt was being made
10 poison him. He refused TO eat, and for
seven days did not take any nourishment.
Mr.. Num- was arrested last summer In
front Of one Of the large department stores
On Fulton street, Brooklyn. Several women
said he had insulted them by staring at
hem and winking at them, One woman
struck him over the head with an umbrella.
He was subsequently discharged by pleading
that he had a nervous affection Of the eye
lids and had no intention Of insulting the