New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-12-09
From the Ladies' Companion
HYDROPHOBIA.
BY LOUIS FITZGERALD rAs1srRo.


IT is melancholy fact, that Notwithstanding
the gigantic strides Of science, and the myrads OF
new.fangled notions with which its possessors are
entangled innunerable diseases still continue to
affect the human frame, for which no remedy has
ever been devised, because they have never yet
been understood. Among these, the most terri
BILE in its consequences, is The HydroPhoba. The
same ignorance of the subject which character
lied the darker ages still prevails; and its vic
tins continue TO be consigned to unlimey
grave, without the least effort being made to save
them. The following is but sample of the hun
dreds Of cases which occur yearly.
A few years ago, a large French dog, belonging
to one of the officers of the 9Th Hussars, then
stationed at Portobello Barracks in Dublin, was
observed TO grow uncommonly surly, and attempt
ed to bite at every dog ne met in the this
change of temper in the animal was attributed by
his master to his having eaten quantity of meat
which had been given to him highly seasoned with
pepper. However, toward the evening of the day
on which the change in the animal was perceived,
he became at intervals outrageous, and bit his
muster and two more officers, who happened to
be in the room; Notwithstanding, his master was
inclined to think it was done more Ia rude play
than any thing else; consequently, no measure
was taken to secure him. That same evening
the dog was uncommonly rutfied; and whoever
attempted to carry him, although he knew them
well, he turned upon them and growled most saw
agely. The next day he was more violent, and
furieusly bit several dogs who crossed his way !;
still, unfortunately, no measure was taken to Sc.
cure him. bis master supposing nothing serious
was the matter with him. On the evening of the
second day, the dog was lying in his masters
room, perfectly tranquil, when this unfortunate
young man (who has fallen the VICTIM entered ::
he remained in it some time before tho dog took
any notice of him; when, suddenly he made a
spring at him, seized him by the shoulder, and
pulled him to the ground, and tore the arm down
to the shoulder, and was with difficulty taken of
him. A sergeant Of the regiment happened to en-.
ter the room on duty about this time the dog
immediately seized him by the leg, and tore
away a considerable portion of flesh; he bit also
two soldiers, one by the nese and the other on
the hand. Still the animal was suffered to re-
main at large, and even slept In his master s
room at his bedside, and licked his face repeat
edly.
The following morning, the master of the dog
began to feel some alarm, and as | had just drop.
ped in to pay a casual visit, he asked me to go
with him to examine the beast. advised him
to have him shot instantly, to which he agreed
AS we were advancing toward the spot where he
lay apparently at ease, he trosted up swapping at
every thing which came in his way. As he passed
close by me, hailed him in friendly tone, but
lie did not notice me. He then ran through the
streets of Dublin-bit a number of dogs and
children, and was on the point of Selling man,
who fortunately had hammer in his hand, with
which he struck him on the head, and killed him
The tongue of the dog was Immediately cut cut
on the spot by a physician, who, on examination,
pronounced the animal to be in an advanced state
of hydrophobia.
None of the officers and soldiers who had been
bitten knew the decision of the physician; nor did
they know of any i'll effect having arisen TO those
who had been bitten. However. three dogs which
had been bitten died in about six weeks, exhibit
ing strong symptoms of hydrophebia. The first
child who had been attacked in the streets, subse.
quently met with the same fate. All this was
kept secret; therefore cause of alarm from re-
port could have excited bydrophobic feelings in
the unfortunate young man who has fallen sscri-
nee; on the contrary, he was in high spirits, and
sppnsa 'or r, leave OF absence to go and see his
friends IN Worcestershire, as he had some inten-
Mons OF esing married. He obtained leave, the
Coonei thinking 1t might divert his attention, and
ne lett us with the same flow of spirits.
Turing ms ABSENCE all was forgotten; and those
remaining VINO had suffered, Though not quite go
sevsrely,) recovered their cheerful hab;,s The
period of leave granted to my poor friend hay;.s
expired, he ser out from his fathers house in ,,r
feet health, to rejoin his regiment. When he
reached Birmingham, (this he told me a few hours
before he died. he said he had curious taste IN
his mouth, which prevented him from reishing
his breakfast as usual. However, it gave him no
alarm, nor did he again think of it till he got to
Shrewsbury, whea he found himself suddenly
seized with most unaccountable aversion for food
and drink when pu. before him, although he had
felt both hungry and thirsty previous to his meals
being served. he could not account for this in
any way, but observed he was BY 70 means alarm
ed, until he happened to call for bottle OF por-
ter. Whea it was brought, be put ii to his mouth,
but the moment he had tasted the liquid, he dashed
the glass from his lips, and spit the porter over