Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-10-31
From the Newark Centinel.

From the Newark Centinel
A case Of Hydrophobia, communicated to
The Esser District Medical Society, by
DR.. John d. ,Wiil,ams, NTH specimen
Of scutsllaria laterJfora, October Ath,
1920.
Thomas Palmer, native of Coxsakie,
in the state Of New York, had for some
time resided 10 the neighbourhood Of JEFF
ferson's Village, in the township Of Spring
field. with Mr. Joseph Pierson, at whose
house he was on the evening of January
last, bitten by mad dog 10 the left hand
and fingers in several places. On the
28th he went 10 New York aud obtained
from WIN. Coleman, Esq. the herb scut-
elaria or scnllcap, which with sulphur he
used agreeably to the directions contained
in small treatise written by Lyman
Spalding, NJ. d. Oh The virtues Of the
scuIcap in the prevention and cure Of the
hydrophobia which book he purchased
and brought home with him. He was d.
rected to observe strict regimen, con-
filming himself wholly to vegetable diet,
avoiding every thing that was animal, as
well as spices, fermented and spurious
liquors. While the impression of fear
lasted, which was fifteen or twenty days,
he deviated but little from the injunction;
but being poor man, obliged to labour
daily for support, and feeling himself
debiIitated by such al abstemious life,
aud being 10 the midst Of temptation, he
gradually began to indulge himself in the
too frequent use OF animal food, fermented
and spurious liquors. On the 10Th OF
February, which was about weeks after
the bite 81 the dog, he was at wedding,
where he partook Of such things as are
commonly provided on such occasions
he was seen 10 cal bread and butter, cake,
&c. and drank wine and brandy. In Tact
he made too liberal use of cider from about
the goth after the bite, with other strong
LIQUORS. until he was taken down, and de-
waited in every other respect from the
general rules given him TO observe, by ex-
posing himself by night and day TO cold
stormy weather, often wetting his feet,
and going with them cold and damp at
other times. At the expiration Of 40 days
he began TO feel himself more secure from
the deleterious effects Of the bite, and in-
dulged his appetite more frequently in
things forbidden. 1t will suffice for the
present TO mention, that on the Friday
night previous to his being attacked by
the disease on Sunday, he drank to intox-
ication, vet his feet, and continued with
them SO all the evening bnt few weeks
previous 10 this he was in situation very
little better. Notwithstanding his noa-
observance of the regimen prescribed, yet
with respect TO the use Of the sculcap and
sulphur, he was faithful TO the end. The
scullcap which he procured OF Mr. Cole
man not being sufficient to last him the
time contemplated, he applied about the
18th day to DIR. Craig, and obtained a
sufficient supply, like the approved speci-
men now presented.
If the sculIcap be specific in the ny
drophohia, we must not impute its failure
10 the case Of Palmer TO its spurious quail
ity. but to his indulgence as mentioned
above. On Sunday the 10th day Of
March last, be first began to complain Of
pains shooting from the wounded hand to
his shoulder and neck and on Monday
those pains increasing he complained ne
had either strained his arm by lifting some
heavy timber few days previous thereto,
or that he had The rheumatism.
He was reminded thathe had been o."
ten by mad dog, and that those pa,ns
might be 10 consequence Of SAID b'te--he
was unwilling to believe it because as ne
said the forty days we're elapsed SINCE ne
received the injury. On Tuesday morn
inc he sent for me: found him apparent.
~ easy and composed The family told
me tia, he had made several attempts, the
night past aud that morning to swallow
the scullcap tea, but without effect l
directed them TO give him some; ne was
standing. lie took the cup in his hand ana
after several attempts to bring II 10 ms
mouth. succeeded--but no sooner uid 'ne
tea come in contact with his lips, thaa ne
was seized with violent spasin OF me
throat almost to suGocation. the s'sh'
Of fluids appeared to produce no dreao up
90 his mind at this time, but on the oou-
trary he could dip his biscuit 10 water