The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-04-16
CASE OF HYDROPROBIA.
From the Indianapolis Journal.

Some eight weeks ago, Miss Selma Eller, an
intelligent young lady of twenty-five years, was
bitten by rabid dog while she Was endeavor-
ing to drive him out Of the house. The wound
was on the finger, and so very slight that it
created no alarm, although the dog was known
to be mad. AS usual in cases Of hydrophobia,
she thought nothing more about the matter
til the morning of Monday, the 26th ultimo,
when, on going to wash her face, the touch OF
the water "made her shudder," as she described
it. The fearful truth flashed on her INSTANTLY,
but being lady of great self command, she
simply said to her sister, Il am going to 60
ever, finish spinning the rolls she was
gagged upon. She worked on during the day,
with some increase Of the horrible symptoms,
but nothing visible to others; and the next
morning, on sitting down to the table, she re-
marked to the family, "You must take that Wa
ter from the table, or | can't eat anything"
She ate but little, and got up, saying she would
go to work again. She continued through that
day as before, but with decided strengthening
of her repugnance to water, of which she said,
"the very sight sent tingliog all through her."
She also complained that the glistening face Of
the clock affected her in the same way. Ga
Wednesday she was too far overcome to work
aud while standing in the floor speaking to some
Of the family she began grinding her teeth, and
directly after fell down in 6t, the foam work
ing out of her mouth, her teeth gnasbing, and
her body frightfully convused. Some of the
younger children who were with her at the time
ran out 10 great alarm, and the neighbors hur-
rying in found her on the floor near the fire, in
the same terrible condition, but she bit so fu-
rious!y at every one who touched her that it
was impossible to do anything with her. The
Ero thnk oh ..,Lk -,
herself by it, and she was lefs lying until the
spasm had passed off. She was then placed up
on the bed, and DR. Rocker called 10. When
he arrived she was again convulsed and sense
less, uttering short, barking sounds, and snap
ping at everything that approached her. A
bloody froth was constantly issuing from her
mouth, which she tried to spit at those around
her. He caused her to be tied down in the
bed, and proceeded to administer morphine to
relieve her agony. In lucid interval she re-
monstrated, saying, 81 must die, know it, and
l want to die In my senses, SO don't Supply me
with medicine" After another fit, the doctor
proposed another dose of morphine, and at last
she consented, but added: "You must give it
to me with water" But this remedy produced
little effect. The awful paroxysms continued,
With the same frishtful suggestions of dosgish
sound and the same frantic efforts to bite She
bit her hands terribly, and bit pieces out of the
pillow and bed clothes. DR. A. G. Ruddle vas
also called in, but bis assistance vas as unavail-
ing as that of DIR Rocker. This, we believe,
was the next day, Thursday, but at all events
on that day DR. Rocker determined to try the
effect of bromide of potassium, which had been
recommended by some European physician in
cases of hydrophobia. DR. Ruddle happening
to have a small quantity with him, it vas at
once administered and the treatment has been
steadily kept up since, till yesterday nearly two
ounces had been given. The symptoms con-
tinued with little or no apparent abatement till
Sunday or yesterday, when they we're consider
ably less marked. The fits occurred less fire..
quently, and with less severity. The unfortu.
nate lady had escaped biting herself and ha6
sufficient knowledge of her situation to wrap her
arms tightly up in the bed clothes when she felt
the sPasm coming on, TO keep them out Of dan
ger Though very far from being out of
danger, the abatement of the symptoms has been
SO decided as to create hopes of her recovery.
which, if realized, will make this one of the
most remarkable cases on record A great manv
physicians and hundreds of the people of the
vicinity have visited her.