Lizzie Borden Society Forum

It's been a well-known theory that the Borden family got sick due to the mutton they ate. However, according to Bridget's testimony, the mutton was exonerated.

"Mr. and Mrs. Borden took sick on Tuesday evening, following a supper of warmed-over swordfish, which had been fried fresh that day for the noontime meal. Lizzie didn't become ill until Wednesday morning, at which time the family had pork steak and johnnycakes for breakfast." (p.325+). We know that Abby went to see Dr. Bowen that same morning, complaining that the baker's bread and/or cake could have been poisoned. He gave her castor oil to be taken with a little wine. Later that morning, he went to check on Abby and ran into Andrew, who admitted, "he felt a little heavy, and did not feel just right, but said he did not think he needed any medicine." By Thursday morning, they were already sick, most likely from the swordfish or something they'd eaten earlier.

Of course, reading about how the stores and/or butchers stored or displayed their meats, it's no wonder the whole town didn't get sick!

Only Dr. Bowen thought of the "cream cake" from the bakery. Undoubtedly the cream filling was an egg laden custard and nobody considered refrigerating it.

Yes, I've always thought it was primarily that dodgy fish they had for supper on the Tuesday night. Lizzie said she felt sick (though nobody saw her vomiting) though admittedly listening to two people retching half the night would make anyone feel slightly queasy. Abby's fondness for cream buns and cake in an age of non-refrigeration was also a recipe for disaster.

Right at the beginning of this thread, Mystery's beginning post is still, for me half whited out. I only mention this in case someone should know. Everything else is clear.

I'm so sorry that you keep having these computer problems, irina. Apart from an occasional post disappearing I've been OK, so far anyway. I haven't experienced any whiteout. We were discussing the Bordens delicious supper of 'off' swordfish.