The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-01-29
HORRIBLE DEATH FROM HYDRO
b. ...r........ PHORTA

George Toppan, Jr, merchant of Boston, died
on Sunday morning last of hydrophobia. The
Traveller gives the following account of the
case: .......... B. s. ..
About three months ago he was in at the Office
of Whittier's wharf, when he was bitten by net
dos-quite small one. The dog was on the TOP
of the safe close to the desk, and one of Mr. Whit
tiers children had been caressing it but minute
before. While conversing with his friend, in
reference to paper lying on his desk, Mr. Toppan
laid his hand on the safe table, and leaned over
to look closer at the paper, when the little animal
sprang up suddenly and bit him in the upper lip.
Two physicians were consulted at the time, and
though only an impression had been made on the
outer skin, yet examination revealed pune
ture from the dogs tooth in the inner surface of
the lp The wound was cauterze6, and certain
remedies taken, and as weeks passed on all fears
in the matter eventually subsidized The dog had
not shown any symptoms of madness, and the ply
scians. after due attention to the subject, gave
their opinion to that effect. The beast was, how
ever tied up for some days. and being troublesome
and noisy, eventually killed.
On Thursday last Mr. Toppan felt un well in the
morning. The feeling rather increased towards
night, but Mr. Toppan never gave no serious
thought to it. Of ali things he had no suspi-
cion that he to be the victim of hydrophobia
He slept that night as usual On Friday morning
he arose and went to the wash bowl or sink in the
corner Of the Soon his eyes rested on
the water he dropped down in a spasm. His alarm
ed wife called for help, and the moment Mr. Top
pan slightly exclaimed in desparing tone II am a
gone man" The nature of his affliction had burst
upon his mind in an instant in connection with
unmistakabe symptom of spasms at the sight of
water.
The other usual characters of hydrophobia rapid
ly appeared. All day Friday he confined to
his bed. The spasms increased in violence. Four
of tho best physicians called in to consult
the case. Every remedy that circumstances sug-
was strongly marked as an uudoubted case of hy-
drophobia, rapidly Fastening to fatal result
During Friday night, at intervals, it required
several men to hold Mr. Toppan during the spasms,
and in the morning it was found necessary to send
to the police station for policemen, with mana
cles to secure him to the bedstead, violent we're
the contortions, to prevent him brusing himself,
or doing injury to those around him. This disease
it is well known induces the patient to bite like
dog, and the bite in would be danger
Gus. While in the spasns during the night he
seemed endowed with the strength of giant, but
in the intervals of exhaustion between each, he
was evidently 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 strug-
giles ceased and he appeared nsensible to pain and
the attentions bestowed upon him. His throat
seemed filled up with phlegm, like person dying
With consumption. $500