Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-09-27
Sagses0+
TUESDAY MORNING, SEPT y, 1893.
nYDROPHOBIA.


fatal and awful in Its consequences, shall offer
apology 10 our readers for presenting the following ex
tracts from article this distressing malady in the
9TH number of the Westminster Review. Every indi-
vidual in the community less deeply interest
ed in becoming acquainted with its dagnostics and the
most approved mode of treating it.
There is nothing peculiar, says tile Reviewer in the
wound TO distinguish from the bite of dog that is
not mad, and heals oon and from the period of the
bite till the first symptoms appear, there is little if any
arrangement of the health, any pe,reptible change
the constitution, provided the person bise be not
under the influence of fear. When the poison begins
produce its effects, there generally degree of
pain dsagreeable feeling, or about the wound and
this usually described following the course of the
supplying the part; frequently there is swelling
and inflammation, and fresh discharge from the
wound short time before the symptoms appear In
several cases, where pain and uneasness complain
ed ofn the course of the nerves. these parts mi
nuely examined after death, but unusual appear
could be detected. The period at which the first
symptoms appear varies considerably in different pa
tients from few days to several months The short
est interval is mentioned by Trolet three or four
days, and the longest that OF months by Dr.
Hunter, and this giving greater latitude than is ge-
morally required"
The Reviewer then proceeds, after stating that there
is little doubt but that the progress of the disease may
be and frequently is accelerated by different causes
by fear by long exposure TO the hot sun, by in
eating drinking, by great exercise either of body or
mind, and by prolonged night-watchings TO remark,
that he first symptoms of the disease after the pain and
uneasness about the wound pain and heayness in
the head, sometimes general and deepseated, others
ness ear, which has been mentioned a cause of the
invasion, now becomes symptom, and increases with
the progress of the maady. The functions of the mind
become excited, the memory Ieentive, the con-
ceptive faculty CASTER and the imagination fertile;
there peculiar kind OF delirium, during which the pa
lent talks rapidly and necessarily of objects which Ell
Their do not exist of past events they actual
lS present. sometimes there somnolency tacituIn
melancholy The organs of the have acquired
higher degree of sensiby--there is constant rolling
of the eyes, which more opened from the elevation
of the upper eyeid; they haye-an unusual brilancy
aud in cases the pupil is very much dilated most
frequently the motions of the voluntary muscles are in
ordnaely excited and would seem to overact the in
tentOn of the mind, every thing which the patient
does is performed with great hurry and agitation, and
there almost nccasant and violent jactation The
cases, nausea and efforts at vomiting sometimes
actual vomiting and pain in the pit of the stomach.
The pulse becomes very frequent and fuller than nat
rail- and in some instances the respiration slow and
there loss of relation between the pulse and respira
ton Frequent signing is pretty constant attendant;
but the characteristic symptom is dread of water
or rather difficulty and mpossbility of swallowing
liquids and this varies degree in different individuals
The patient is oTmented with thirst and in attempting
drink violent commissions of the muscles about the
larynx pharynx and fauces excited producing
sensation of choaliing and suTocation. Perhaps bet
idea be given of this symptom than by com
pairing to that agitation, which person who afraid
of water experiences, when suddenly pushed into it
against his WILL when the chest becomes agitated with
convul,ye motions, during which short inspirations
succeed to rapid expiration At a later period the pa
tent cannot look liquids without experiencing this
distressing symptom which has, according to some very
respectable authors been produced by the sight Of
looking glass, transparent glass shining piece of
metal, and even by the agitation of the air. In the
course of the disease, this symptom IS diminished or
ceases entirely for time, but returns and the
commissions extend the whole body. Without this
peculiar anguatioD, affection Of the respiratory
organs the Characteristic symptom Of the disease is Gu
tirely wanting. To the above symptoms may be added
sensation of burning heat sometimes referred to the
stomach, sometimes TO tue chest, the almost constant
flow Of thick foam from the mouth, which as the dis
ease proceeds, becomes viscd, tba the patient can
expectorate but with great difficulty be constant
" splitting out with great vebcmence and is only by
sudden and strong expiration that nc is able to remove
it. The skin is covered with cIanny rerspiraon.-
Towards the close Of the disease, when tho muscular
power is the decline the pulse becomes small soft
very feeble and irregular; and this generally points to
vi immediate death, which sOmetimes seems the effect
Of ofoca,ion; occasionally the patient expires in the
midst Of couyusons, but much more common for hin
to sink rapidly; aud become quiet and calm for a short
time before the fatal event takes place"
Hiring us r,nrfnlr dnta led Ill tho errtnrnr r IN.