The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-02-25
HYDROPsYOBYA.

paterson, N. a., concerning whIch the
following particulars are presented
Mr.. McCarty resided in Straigh
street, near the shops of the Parersor
Iron company. tie worked in one o
the shops portion of the time, but al
so kept a saloon as an additional means
Of livelihood, and until recently KEEP
about the latter place large, blac'
dog, which he thought much Of, it hav
ing proved itself to bs an exceIen
light watch. Through some cause
but whether when playing with thu
brute or after having provoked it, j.
not known, on New Years day he Wa.
slightly bitten by the animal on the
finger. The wound being very trivia
in appearance. nothing more than 4:
mere piu-scratch, and not causing an,
pain, TO notice was taken of it, and nc
apprehension was entertained that an
serious results were likely to result
therefrom.
A short time afterward, however
the dog began to manifest very un-
usual disposition, and after making
several attempts to bite others persons
was killed by the neighbors, who were
convinced that the animal was growing
mad and ought to be destroyed
Mccarthy henceiorth grew melancholy
and worried and expressed much ankle
~ that evil would result from the
wound he had received. 1t became a
monomania with him, he evidently be-
ing in continual terror, unable to sleep
at night, and, in fact, eviucing every
symptom of u person under great de.
preston of mind. This condition was
not much improved by rather loudly
spoken, imprudent expressions of an
xiety on the part Of intimate friends.
Thus he continued until about
o'clock on Sunday morning, when he
was seized with terreible paroxysms, so
that three strong men could scarcely
hold him. He continued rational
most of the time, but suffered great
agony, and begged in piteous tones
that they would permit no water to be
brought near him, and every few
seconds would relapse in.o state OF
the most abject fear, crouching down
in the corner AMI raving like one suffer
ing with the dellrium tremens.
The patient could not bear the
presence of female in his room. Mt
once flying into spasm and evincing
almost as much dread as he did Of
water. At one time he imagined there
was a dog under his bed. and became
greatly alarmed, but was foally quieted
by his friends repeatedly assuring him
that nothing of the kind was there.
In the afternoon, Sunday, DR.. John
Qun was sent for, and ascertaining his
con iition before entering the room. 10
prove the truth of it and see his symp-
toms for himself. procured glass of
water and walked quietly in the room
where Mccarthy was lying. The
mans horror almost turned the hearts
Of the spectators /; the poor man drew
himself up in the bed corner, and al.
most seemed trying to push himself
through the partition in his intense
efforts to get from the water
held by the doctor, and the latter was
obliged to carry the tumbler hastily
from the apartment for fear the patient
would spring through the window.
DIR Quin, who is an old-school prac-
titoner of long experience. both in this
country and Europe, at once expressed
his opinion that it was a hopeless case
of genuine hydrophobia, aud his opin-
ion proved correct, for the man died in
about an hour afterward. utterly ex-
hausted. Dr. Quin has witnessed two
other cases of this nature but con ,lderS
this by far the most violent of any that
has come under his observation. Ho
says it is always most dangerous and
violent 10 the winter season.
The fits came on about the usual
time, which is generally from four to
six weeks after the bite. Mccarthy
was seized at three o clock in the morn
ing with the violent symptoms, and
died at three o'clock in the afternoon,
the spasms continuing just Il hours.
Mccarthy was known to be temperate
man, Notwithstanding he kept a saloon /;
and the doctor has not the slightest
hesitation in declaring that his death
was directly caused by the bite of the
dog. The deceased had dance at his
place on Saturday night, but did not
indulge in qu r to any extent. so that
j. cannot be be ieved hat his death