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

ease. l directed him 10 use wine in
stead OF water. enquired Of him whetli-
er his inability to swallow fluids did not
arise from soreness of his throat He
replied in the negative, but said there was
soreness 10 the tendods Of his neck and
Jaws. On examination found the puroiid
glands considerably enlarged and tender to
the touch. He had 60 fever, his tongue
I was clean aud pulse soft and regular. He
had several spasms while I was there,
which perhaps was not longer than an hour.
In the evening / called again aud found
the spasms somewhat moderated, but he
could moi swallow his biscuit moistened 10
water without producing them. 90 the
ed ed 10 the a:eru;ig ] again called 10 see
him, and found the dread Of water had in-
creased, and sudden view of it would
immediately produce spasm: his tongue
was foul, and he had little fever--tbe
swelling Of the purotid glands had subsid
led. In this situation l left him, but re-
turned towards evening, aud found him in
a most alarming situation, which is well
described by gentleman who was with
him the latter part Of that day, and the
next Till within a few hours of his death
which shall give in his own language.
Sir-By your request have made
the following statement as near as my
memory serves, concerning Thomas Pal
mer, while under the powerful operation Of
the hydrophobia, during twenty hours
previous 10 his death, which happened a.
bout six hours after | left him. When
first entered the room, he could not speak
for few moments, being taken with
spasm occasioned by opening the door,
which was the case whenever the door
was opened 10 Ills sight or hearing
the sudden approach Of any person
in his sight, especially a stranger, wavs
ing the hand, moving the bed clothes,
or any quick motion would produce the
same effect. He would speak 9! water
himself without lis scanning to affect him,
but could not bear to hear il named by
others; he expressed great desire TO eat
and drink, but Of the latter he could not
swallow drop; he wished me to wet the
corner Of my handkerchief and lei him
wipe his lips, but could not get it TO bis
mouth; he tried with all the resolution IN
his power, 10 draw ffeu g teapot into his
mouth by means Of quill, few drops OF
scu!lcap tea, which he thought il the tea
was covered from his sight he might do,
but the spasms seizing him at every at
tempt, rendered it impossible. He then
desired me to uncover the teapot
very moderately, aud let him look into it,
which | did he appeared very mnch
frightened at the sight OF the tea, aud told
me to take it away. About fourteen hours
before he died, with little help, he got
from off the bed, and sat by the fire, ale
some dry biscuit, and talked very senslbiy
for half an hour, when he suddenly arose
from his chair, quite deranged, asked Tor
bis hat, saying he wanted TO go down
stairs on being told he could not walk
down, he consented to 60 to bed and re-
covered 10 few moments, aud continued
nearly all the time, during my stay with
him, very sensible even during his great
est fits of madness though at such times
he would show bis teeth, and look very
angry, yet he would say at the same time.
" ] will not hurt you, don't DC. afraid.
These fits continued increasing until they
were accompanied with frightiul noise
similar to the growing Of dog; he then
for the first time cautioned us TO keep out
of his way, saying, 8 don't know what
may happen--I will not hurt you il can
help it-you had better get a rope aud tie
me-" We complied with his wishes by
Lieing his legs fast to the bedsted-atter
securing him, person in the room step.
ped behind curtain, previously liked Tor
the purpose Of hiding the water from his
sight, as we'll as the light Of the window,
aud happening to make small noise
scarce perceptible to a common ear, by
pouring some water from a pitcher into
glass, he instantly fell backward on the bed
where he sat confined, yelping like dog
under the lash Of his master, which con-
tiDued for some minutes. He was equal
" affected at the sight OF piece of blue
thread which lay on the floor" Thus far
the letter.
In addition to the above, ! observe that
the blowing Of the wind on the house, or
any sudden noise, or motion, or even adj
hitting fresh current OF air into the room,
would have similar efft ct--as also, bring
iug into his view scarlet or crimson col
ours. With respect to Patmer's yelping
like dog, as mentioned above, | would
lust observe. that it always happened in
the paroxysms. when he was iabouring
for breath, and had a sense Of immediate
suffocation, 10 consequence Of the spas
modic affection of the muscles Of his
throat and CLOTHS. On Thursday the 23d
Il was late ia the morning before | could