SINGULAR CASE OF FASTING.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3172, 29 August 1881, Page 4

SINGULAR CASE OF FASTING.

" A remarkable ' fasting ' case," according to the Glasgow Mail, " is at present exciting considerable interest in medical ch'cles in Lanarkshire. It appears that a girl named Christian Marshall, between 13 and 14 years of age, and daughter of Graven Marshall, road surfaceman, Chapelton, near Strathaven, has not tasted food since the new year, and that even for a considerable time previous to that date she partook of little or no nourishment. She took ill during last autumn, and was treated by Dr. James Dougal, of Btrafchaven, for pulmonary cold. .After a time she got better, but instead of reaching perfect convalescence she relapsed into a thoughtful mood, betook herself to bed, and expressed the greatest disinclination for all kinds of food. Her parents we>'e ufc their wits' end, and the neighbors tried to tempt her with every little delica-y they could think of, with but little euccees. The doctor also tried to persuade her, but to all entreaties she would only buret out crying and say, 'I canna tak' it the noo. I'll tak' it when I'm able.' A week before the new year a sister persuaded her to take a very small pioce of currant bun ; but since then she has not been known to take any nourishment beyond ateaspoonful of water two or three times a day. The doctor feels that be can do nothing so long as she refrains from eating, and her parents and relations have at length in despair given up trying to persuade her to take food. They still cling to the hope that a change may take place which will create an appetite, and any suggestion from medical authorities would be thankfully received by the parents. Another curious fact about the case is that she is rarely known to sleep, and appears to be cognisant of all that takes place in the room both by day and night. She is dreadfully emaciated, and frequently complains of

pain in her head. She clislikos noise, and objected to tho Bible being read to her, saying she knew all she wanted by heart. Her pulso is perfectly natural, and her tongue shows a healthy colour. When three yoai-3 old she had a long illness, and her recovery at that time astonished the doctor then in attendance ou muuii that he named her ' tho little miracle. , "