The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-08-14
HYDROPHOBIA.

Under date of the Goth of July, DR. f. p
Graines writes follows to the Mobile Gala }
Tribune, from Toulminville, Ala:
Sometime in the month of February of this
gear, as Mrs Tucker walking along the road,
large dog, which was quietly lying down. sprang
up and seized her. She caught hold of him. and,
i'll the desperation of fear held him until the own,
er came and took him off The dog, however, bit
her hand and mamgcd it, He also bit his master
when he took him off Mrs Tucker visited ME
the following day to have her hand dressed 1t
was much cut and infamed As the testimony
here; ofOre was strong that could not have
by drophobia in this climate, and us it was the sea-
Of the year that would scarcely expect it in
any way, and as the dog was not far from his Mas
ter's residence, it seemed unadvE able to use the
severe means that are recommended in such cases
unless the proof was positive that the dog was
mad.
After the dog returned home, ne acted so
strangely that the master concluded he was mad
and therefore shot him. This however, was
surmise; how sadly true the sequel will show
Mrs Tucker, after much suffering, as from any
other infamed wound, finally got WELL and remain
ed so until Monday last, July 10th, when she felt
a little unwell; on Tuesday had some pain in her
right hand and arm, (the one that was Bit which
travelled up, she said into her right side She
also leIt 4 little leVerlSn, anu had some headache
On Wednesday, these disagl eeable feelings con-
tinuing, she found suddenly that she could not
swallow water. 1t produced a spasmodc feeling;
in word, the effort to drink took away her breath
l saw her on Wednesday evening. She was living
down on bed, dressed and looking quite natural
skin felt peasant, head little too hot pulse soft
and weak, but not excited; asked her how she felt,
and she said she had burning thirst for water,
but could not take it.
/ had some brought to her then. She began to
look excited. gave it to her, and the very sight
OF 1t caused spasm of all the resprating muscles
You have had dash of cold water thrown sud
denly in the face and breast; you gasp; it takes
away your breath. In such a manner did the
very sight OF the water affect her, causing such a
feeling of sufocation that the patient cried away
with it, you will kill me- Imagine in this dry
and heated weather, when there is no moisture
even in the atmosphere, that, consumed by a ter
rbe thirst, the very sight of water should produce
such effect Can anything be more horrible?
On Wednesday night, urged by this terrible hirst,
she rushed to the bucket of water, saying Il will
have water" but reaching it, the very sight
brought spasm, and she would have fallen,
her daughter told me, if they had not caught her
On Thursday the spasms began more frequent
the secretion of frothy, enacious mucus in the
throat which added to the distress, causing con-
slant hawking and splitting. The countenance
seemed more wild and haggard; she was sensible,
however, and recognized her acquaintance. She
never showed any desire to hurt any one She
steadily grew weaker, and IL o'clock Thursday
night closed the sad scene.