The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-01-09
Horrible Death from aydrephobla.

George Toppan, Jr., merchant of Boston,
died on Sunday morning last, of hydrophobia
The Traveller gives the following account of
the case
About three mon tbs ago. he was in at the Of
flee OF Whittier's wharf, when he was bitten
by a pet dog quite "A small one. The dog was
on the top of a safe, close 10 the desk, and one
Of Mr.. Whittier's children bad been caressing
it hut a moment before. While conversing
with his friend, in reference to paper la ing
on his desk, Mr. Toppan laid his hand on the
safe or table and leaned over 10 look closer at
he paper, when the little animal snrang up
suddenly and bit him in the upper lip. Two
physicians were consulted at the time, and
tbough only an impression had been made on
the outer skin, yet an examination revealed
q puncture from the dogs tooth In the inner
surface of the lip. The wound was eau terized,
aud certain remedies taken, and as weeks pass
ed on all fears in the matter eventually sub
sided. The dog had not shown any symptoms
Of madness, aud the pb ysicians, after due at
tention 10 the subject, gave their opinion to
that effect. The beast was, however, tied up
ftr some days, and being troublesome and
noisy, was eventually killed.
Ga Thursday last, Mr.. Toppan felt unwell
ia the morning. The feeling rather increased
towards night tbut Mr. Toppan gave no serious
thought to II. OF all things be had no suspi-
con that he was 10 be the victim OF hydro
phobia. lie slept that night pretty much as
usual. Ga Friday morning, he arose, and
went to the wash bowl or sink in the corner
Of The room. Soon his eye rested on the
water he dropped down in spasm His
alarmed wife called for help, and the moment
Mr. Toppan slightly revived, he exclaimed, in
a despairing tone. Il am gone man" The
nature Of his tfiiciion had burst upon his
mind in an instant in connection with that
unmistakable sy yrnptom of spasms at the sight
of water
The other usual charac teTistics of hydropho-
b:a rapidly appeared. All day Friday he was
confined to has bed. Tie spasms increased in
violence. Four of the best physicians were
called in to consult upon the case. Every re-
medy that circumstances suggested was ap-
piled to alleviate the symptoms, but they all
felt the uselessness of remedies 1t was
strongly marked aud undoubted case Of hydro
phobia. rapidly Fastening to a fatal result.
During Friday night, at intervals, il re-
quired several men TO hold DIR. Toppan dur
ing the spdsiaS, and in the morning 1t was
found neces ssary TO send to the police station
for policemen, with manaeies, to secure him To
the bedstead, SO violent Were the cOntoTi lions,
70 prevent him bruisng himself, or doing in
jury To those around him. This disease, II is
"eil known, induces the patient 10 bl e, like
dog, and the bite, IN most cases, would be dan
gerous. While in the spasms, during the night
NE seemed endowed with the strength of ii
giant, bu. IN the intervals of exhaustion be-
tween each, he was eyident tly growing weaker
and weaker, and frequently fully sensible OF
his condition. AT half past two O'Clock, on
Sunday morning, Mr.. Toppan died Some
TWO hours before his death his struggles ceased,
and he appeared inseEslble to pain and the at
tentions which were bestowed upon him. HIS
throat seemed filled with phlegm, like person
dying with consumption.