Star.
London, England, 1830-06-04 00:00:00

HYDROPHOBIA.

Yesterday another fearful scene of the prevalence of
hydrophobia was exhibited in and about the New-cut,
Lambeth. A small dog, of a brown and white colour,
and of the mongrel breed, was seen running in a devious,
course, and in a weak state, and shortly afterwards it
snapped at and bit a dog that crossed its path. There
could be no doubt of the animal being in a rabid state, I
and the cry of " a mad dog" from some boys, induced
the passers-by to retreat with precipitation into the ad-
joining shops and houses, the doors of which were in-
stantly closed, so great and general is the fear of imbibing
the horrid disease of hydrophobia. Some boys, however,
and three men, with thick sticks, pursued the animal with
,the praiseworthy but dangerous intention of killing it.
The dog, being hammed in this attempt, became more
ferocious, and some chidren, who were at play in the
road, endeavouring to stop it, were bitten. The dog was
followed up into Webber-street, where it was driven into
a corner, from whence it was prevented escaping by the
exertions of several men to kill it with sticks. The
animal by this time was foaming at the mouth, and
making a spring, seized a young man by the hand, but
was instantly struck from his grasp—and, with the aid
of broomsticks which pinned it to the ground, it was
finally destroyed. The young man who had been bitten,
with great determination and fortitude, took a knife from
his pocket, and literally sliced out the part which had
been lacerated, which was above the little finger of the
right hand, and then went to a surgeon to get the wound
dressed. The dog that was first bitten escaped, and is
thus at large, with every prospect of spreading the fatal
poison.
On Tuesday afternoon last a dog, in a rabid state, ran
through West Drayton fair, near Uxbridge, Middlesex,
snapping at every animate and inanimate object that ob-
structed its progress, when an infant about three years
of age, a sow, and three dogs, were severely bitten by
him. The ihfant, which was severely bitten on the calf
of the leg, was conveyed to Mr. Taylor, surgeon, under
whose care it is now placed, and who pronounces it in im-
minent danger. The rabid dog was eventually destroyed
by Davis, a constable of St..lames's, Clerkenwell.

About half-past four o'clock on Tuesday afternoon a
dog in a rabid state was observed running in Sloane-
street, Chelsea, and he turned into George -street, where
it is said he bit two dogs. By this time several persons
raised the cry of " Mad dog, mad dog !" following him as
closely as they possibly could ; but he contrived to out-
strip his numerous pursuers, among whom were several
constables of the new police of B division, one of whom,
with great resolution, struck the furious animal a severe
blow with his baton across the head, and he was speedily
despatched.
On Tuesday evening, as a man named Lawton was re-
'turning home from his labour at Eltham, in Kent, just
as he entered the town, he met a dog foaming very much
at the mouth, and his tongue hanging out. He stepped
aside to avoid him, but was unable, and the animal
snapped at his leg, but missed it, and proceeded towards
Lewisham.. The man made an alarm, and the rabid
animal was instantly pursued by many persons, but none
were able to come up close enough to destroy him. One
of the villagers fired at him, but, unfortunately, missed
him. In his career he ran across a paddock, and bit three
lambs, and a very fine ewe, that were grazing, the pro-
perty of Mr. John Smith, the farmer. The lambs and
ewe are locked up for the present ; but, notwithstanding
the exertions of the villagers, the dog, which was of the
terrier breed, escaped destruction, and it was subsequently
ascertained the same dog had bitten a little boy at Black-
heath in the calf of the leg.
Yesterday forenoon, a fine young woman, about 19
years of age, named Mary Ann Phillips, servant to Mr.
Punshon, the plumber and glazier in St. Thomas's-street,
in the Borough, was brought to Guy's Hospital, enduring
great pain, produced by the bite of a cat, ',unposed to be
in a rabid state. - It appeared that on Monday last the
cat was observed by Mrs. Punshon to look very wild
about the eyes, and to exhibit very unusual appearances.
She sometimes would run up stairs and down several
times, and, fearing it was mad, and dreading the conse-
quences that might befal any of her family, she deter-
mined upon drowning the animal. The maid-servant un-
dertook the office, and went in search of the cat, which
she found up stairs in the closet. She attempted to catch
hold of it, when the animal flew at her, and fastened on
her right hand with her teeth: the girl still kept her
hold, and ultimately destroyed it. She subsequently felt
great pain in the part that had been bitten; and Mr.
Walker, the surgeon, was sent for, who advised her going
to the hospital. to have the piece cut out ; she, however,
delayed going • till yesterday, when finding the pain in-
crease she went, and the part that was poisoned was cut
out, and the patient placed in bed in Chapel-ward, where
she still remains in much won :
Between ten and eleven o'clock on Wednesday night,
a man having the appearance of the utmost wretchedness,
was observed to climb the balustrade of Blackfriars-
bridge. He had gained the parapet, and waa about to
throw himself over into the water when a passer-by caught
him, and dragged him backwards. He was delivered
over to the police, who found that he was intoxicated.
He was retained in custody until his returning senses
convinced him of the folly of the rash act he had at-
tempted, of which he seemed fully sensible.