The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-03-30
uydrophoSta In Kentucky-The Ter
rtble Case at Frankfort.

From the Frankfort Commonwealth, March %.
We have to record one Of the most I'M
usual and startling fatalities that ever oe-
cured in our city, in the death of John d.
Sargent, o citizen of Frankfort, from by
drophobia.
Some two months ago small dog fol-
lowed him from the street into his store,
and seemed to recognize him virtually as
its master. 1t was quite small, hardly over
SIX inches in height. 1t was afflicted with
some skin disease, and at times appeared
to be leboripg under species of fit, stag
gering backwards, and yelping as IL with
pain. 1t was not supposed to be mad,
though several symptoms are now remem-
bered that may justly be attributed to
rabies. MIR. Sargent one day fed it with
small piece of meat, which it had no sooner
swallowed than it caught his hand at the
base of the thumb, piercing his flesh with
its small, keen teeth. He shook it off, pay
ing no other attention to the wound, which
rapidly healed. The dog died a few days
after in our composing room.
On Saturday evening last Mr.. Sargent
felt pain in his hand in the vicinity Of the
old wound. The pain gradually extended
to the fingers, and crept up the arm into the
body. The arm and hand became numb,
incapacitating him from his usual use OF
those members. The numbness and Nor
vousness increasing, he summoned physl-
clan, who, after q very careful examine
ton, could not at first decide upon the ma
ture of his disease, but suspected some dis
ease OF the brain. The intervention of ner-
vous spasms, accompanied with the most
narrowing symptoms, gave to his disease
most frightful cast. By accident, on the
presentation of water to allay his thirst
the true character of his malady was de-
veloped in the agonizing spasms that i'm
mediately racked and tortured his physi-
cal frame. He could not endure the sight
even of water, or its mention. His spasms
were brief in duration, but of the most fear
full character, causing his eyes to dilate, and
his whole appearance to assume charac-
ter so frighttul that it battles oil descrlp-
ton. The slightest impact upon his body
caused commissions, his nervous organism
being wrought up to its highest tension.
The strength of several persons was neces-
sary to hold him in position during his
spasms. He did not seek to infict harm on
any one, but was entirely conscious up to
the hour of his death, giving instructions
concerning his business, and delivering
parting messages to his family and friends.
During Sunday he was visited by many
citizens and the ply sicians, who offered oil
the aid possible for his relief. He swal-
lowed only few pills by great effort on
Sunday morning, the construction OF bis
throat causing him to refuse anything else
Thus, amid sutferings beyond description
or comparison, exceeding anything ever
witnessed in the entire history of the medl,
cal men that ministered at his bedside, and
appalling to every appreciative sense, ne
fingered till almost 9 O'Clock on Sunday
night, when death relieved him from fur
Their pain.
Mr.. Sargent leaves his family, consisting
Of o wife and FIVE children, in INDECENT Cir.
cumstances. In his last hours he appealed
to those around him to aid them in their
helpless condition, his chief fear being thai
they would come to want. Benevolent citi-
zens are now circulating subscription list
to buy them small home and minister to
their necessities.