Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-05-24
The Mad stone.

~
sion Of the Misses King, one OF the these re-
mark, ble stones, aud which has effected
multitude of cures Of bydrophobia. ibis
mad stone resembles in form the kernel Of an
almond, is ] of an inch long aud Of IN inch
thick; one of the principal sides Is convex
and the other fat It's color approaches jet
black, with the appearance of slight green
ish tinge. 10 hardness texture and lustre
i. resembles camel coal. 1t was brought
about City years ago by the uncle OF the es-
Unable ladies 10 whose possession 1t now Is,
from IIndlstan, q country whose Jusg iers not
uufrequently perform the feat OF suffering
themselves to be bitten by venomous reptiles,
and Immediately thereafter extract the vi
rus by some infallible antidOte in their pos
session.
Hundreds of persons bitten by dogs known
to have been rabid, are represented as having
experienced the wonderful healing powers OF
this mad stone. 10 only single Instance
has it ever failed to accomplish perfect
cure. 81 One Of these persons, Mr.. Henry
Goddin, Of Church Hill, was bitten by a dog
which attacked at the same time several AMI
mails be was the first object assailed by the
rabid creature; he was bitten in the face,
and bis face covered with the saliva. An
! immediate application of the mad stone was
made, and be escaped the dreaded disease.
This was sixteen years ago. Inc animals
bitten by the same dog died.
! We think it would he for the bench OF hu-
manity if this remedial agent we're in the
hands of some person who could convenient
! ly devote his entire attention to its employ
ment in the relief Of one Of the greatest
scuurges Of humanity, and we think it likely
that the ladies into who.e possession it has
/ fallen would be willing to dispose Of II, both
90 account Of their convenience aud the gen
eral good The application of the remedy
must be made, it is said, within nine days
after the person has been bitten, Ms the exp
ration of longer period renders doubtful Its
/ proph ylactlc powers. We understand that
the manner Of application is as follows: Be
| fore applying the stone to the wounds they
are dressed every two hours with freshly
! made meal or bread and milk poultices for
! eight or ten hours, when the most iUhamed
! or sore part is puuctured or scratched With
! a needle. and after the mad stone has been
! suffered to remain O lew minutes 10 warm
water, and has been thoroughly cleansed, 1t
is applied If it adhere firmly to the pune
tured portion Of the wound, the presence OF
yirus is deemed conclusive. 1t IS removed
occasionally, washed clean in waru water
aud soar and then applied again and again
until il ceases II sdnere, when all the poison
is supposed to be extracted This process
frequently requires several days before the
stone will cease to stick to the bitten parts.
la the meantime, the patients are required
daily to take moderate doses Of salts, aud
are copfued RICHLY to diet Of bread and
fresh milk.
We have seen learned dissertation on
this mad stone and its properties by CAPT ,.
W. Dewey, one Of the most intelligent Uine-
ralogists Of the country, which We regret that
we have not room to publish. TINS gentle
man, after careful investigation Of the
stone, and all the facts connected with IT.
history, is thoroughly Convinced OF Its inva!-
liable qualities, and earnestly desires that
they should be placed before the world -
RicA Dispatch.
The Mad Some" is on cold institution
aud many do not agree with Capt. Dew
ey" as to its virtues.