Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-01-15
IEX-MARlNE HERE
ASLEEP 8 DAYS.
Doctors Fail to Arouse Man,
Thought to Be Victim OF
Sleeping Sickness"
VICTIM HAD DOUBLE VISION

John Crawn. twenty three years old,
former marine. 80 South Fiftieth street,
is in the Presbyterian Hospital suffer
ing from what may be Sleeping sick
ness,f though physicians have found no
definite diagnosis yet.
The doctors in attendance permitted
publication of the facts for the first
time today, although Crawn has been i'll
for ten days and in a stupor for eight
days.
Crawn served overseas in the famous
Sixth Regiment of marines. and was
in all their battles. After he was dis
charged from the service he came to
live in Philadelphia and entered the
insurance business.
Suffering from Double Vision"
Ten days ago Crawn called on DR.. J.
V. Mussett, Sixty third and Race
streets, for treatment. complaining that
he was suffering from ''doube vision
He said it was almost impossible for
him to go up steps. or to write up his in
surance work. He asked the physician
to call to see him in a day or two at his
home.
Two days later tho physician called
and found Crawn sitting in an arm
chair in his room in a partial stupor.
BY next day the stupor was complete
Doctor Mussett called DIR. William f..
Hughes, 3045 Chestnut street. and Il
visiting physician at the Presbyterian
Hospital, into consultation. Doctor
Hughes believed it might be sleeping
sickness and advised that Crawn be re
moved to the Presbyterian Hospital.
Doctor Hughes today said that the
young mans condition was serious. The
physician does not believe, now, that the
disease is sleeping sickness, though it
resembles that malady more than any
other.
Symptoms Not the Same
"At first 1 felt fairly certain that It
was sleeping sickness. said Doctor
Hughes. s'But now / have discovered
that some of the symptoms are differ
ent from those Of sleeping sickness
Frankly / do not know what the
disease is. nor do other physicians who
have examined him.
For the last eight days the former
marire has been under observation at
the hospital. In that time he has been
given nourishment by artificial means
and occasionally has been partially
aroused from his stupor by vigorous
shaking. When aroused he will say
word or two. usually yes or no.
and lapse back again into UNCONSCIOUS
ness.
The young mans father is John f
Crawn. wealthy -four merchant o.
Crawford, Va. The father. with sew,
eral other sons, has visited the patient
but at present the family are at theil
home in the southern town. They have
been advised to return to Philadelphia
however. as the youths condition il
considered serious.
Two Nurses Attend Him
Mr.. Crawn, when he was here. told
the hospital authorities that he wanted
the best possible care given the boy, NJ
matter what the expense. The young
man has a private room and is waited
on by two nurses. Some of the mos
prominent diagnosticians in the cit!
have seen him and are puzzled by hi
case.
Sleeping sickness is mysterious
malady, about which science knows
little. and against which treatmen
makes little headway.
Within the last few months spoI adit
cases of the disease have been reported
from New York and this city.