The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-07-05
From the N. Y Tribune.
Hydropho bla Mfsnamed.
BY JOHN H. oRIscom, M. 4

BY JOHN H. oRIscoM, M. D.
Attending Physician al The Neto York Hospital.
Edward Bransfeld, aged 2s, was brought
to the Hospital about P. M, on Monday
the 18th of May, laboring under Hydro.
phobia.
The most distressing part of the
malady is undoubtedly the difficulty and
pain in swallowing, arising from sharp
spasmodic action of the muscles concerned
in the function, extending sometimes even
TO those of the neck and chest, and produ-
cling feeling of alarming construction of
the organs of respiration, causing almost
complete though temporary sufocation, and
thus aggravating if not actually exciting the
convulsions, with the more or less violent
contortions and discoloration of the counte.
nance, protrusion of the eye balls and other
! active and painful symptoms 1t is popu-
lar idea that all these are excited bv the
sight and even by the sound of water; and
| although an intense thirst almost universal
ly co-exst, the friends and even the patient
himself, anxious as they are to alleviate it,
dread even the presence or sound of water,
much more its approach to the lips, lest all
these horrible symptoms should ensue. My
investigations, simple as they are, throw
light on these points, and it is hoped will
show how reliet may be extended in future
in those most distressing symptoms--thmst
and parched and burning throat--if the
means thus pointed out are sufficiently,
promptly and carefully attended to. $500,
That the mere sound of water will not ex-,
cite the paroxysm was proved in this case
by the fact that the noise of stream of
water in closet was continually within
reach of his ears, to which he gave no heed
whatever. Observing this, then desired
10 try whether its actual taste, scuhout swal.
lotoing, could not be safely borne; and to-
this end | induced the patient to take
mouthful, but to hold in his mouth without
attempting to swallow. lie did so, and after
retaining it sufficiently long to satisfy both
him and myself, at my direction he elected
it from his mouth, expressing qualification
at its cooling effect.
One step further determined to go, though
not without some fear of producing parox-
ysm of pain and perhaps a convulsion.
sent for some ice, and with little persuasion
placed a small piece in his mouth, directing
him to allow it simply TO trickle down his
throat as it melted, avoiding as before every
effort at swallowing. A piece about the size
of thimble was first tried, the cooling ef-
feet of which was exceedingly grateful, and
he willingly accepted a second piece. 1t
was very difficult for him to avoid degluti-
ton he did succeed, however, and all the
ice descended to the stomach as il melted
drop by drop, demonstrating in the most
conclusive manner that water perse has no
influence in the causation of the spasms and
that the disease is improperly named. 1t is
not Hydro phobia-a dread of water; it is
rather dread of swallowing, whether of
water or any other liquid or even of solid
substances, as my patient said to me; and
ifthat act can be avoided as in his case, re-
lief may possibly be afforded in others by
The administration of cooling and perhaps
even more decidedly palliative reme-
dies. II n 81
The vital powers became gradually ex.
hausted, until 81 O'Clock on the 18th, 90
hours after admission, he breathed his last.