The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-12-15
Hydrophobia.
SHOCKING CASE IN LEXINGTON.
from the Lexington Observer

from the Lexington Observer.
Our city Thursday, was the scene Of one
Of those heart-rending occurrences-a
death by hydrophobia. The victim of the
fearful malady was young man by the
name of John Alexander, son of Mr.. j. w.
Alexander, who formerly kept confec-
tionary on Limestone street, between Main
aud Short. The particulars of the sad
case are most distressing.
The young man had been bitten oy
rabid dog as long ago as the night OF Tue
10th of last August. While walking along
Third street dog run out OF an alley ana
without even premonitory BARK sitehL'y
but Gercely seized him by the cali OF the
leg, biting clear through the boot: Mr..
Alexander succeeded in kicking him on,
but he came at him again and bit his hand,
the teeth meeting through it. He did not
not know at the time that the dog was
mad. He sought professional advice, but
was assured by the physician that he was
in no danger. The scratches and wounds
healed quickly, and he thought no more
about the matter until last Tuesday night
when, after being initiated member OF
the Ashland Lodge of Good Templars, he
experienced, on taking drink OF water. a
most singular and unpleasant feeling i'll his
throat, but he soon got over it. He was
troubled with nothing more unpleasant
until Wednesday afternoon at about 4
o'clock, when, on again attempting to
take glass of water, he found he could
not drink. he then Immediately suspect
ed the cause OF his sickness, and determin-
ed to fully test it. He tried to force wa
ter into his mouth with spoon, but his
arm gave spasmodic jerk. sending the
spoon flying through the air, and he fell
back unnerved and wild and sick, both
from the effects of the malady and the
horrible certainty Of his rapidly approach
ing fate.
He was confined to his bed all Wednes-
day night On Thursday morning he got
rapidly worse, and continued to suffer most
terribly till the time OF his death. The
agony he endured no words can describe,
and the physicians attending him said his
were the most fearful sufferings they ever
had witnessed. He howled and snarled
and barked like dog. He scratched and
clawed at the bed clothing until it was
almost torn to threds. Spasms and con-
vulsions succeeded each other, racking his
tortured body and causing him to foam at
u
and in his frenzy tho veins would swell
like they would burst, and he would bark
and cough as though his lungs would be
forced up, and blood would gush in streams
from his mouth and nostrils. The bed on
which he was held down by strong men
was saturated through aud through with
the crimson stream.
Strange to say, he was conscious nearly
the entire time, and. devoted and self-sac-
rifcing. he firmly insisted that none of his
agonized and weeping relations should be
allowed to come near him, rs he was afraid
he might iniure them His father, who
had been absent arrived a little while be.
fore his death, but on being told that he
had come, he exclaimed, "Don't let him
see me-
At about o'clock his sufferings became
even more intensified, aud he screamed
and shrieked, "Water! water force it
down me! Oh death hurry, hurry" His
attendant physicians, who had done all in
their power, to alleviate his sufferings,
again administered chloroform most copi-
ously, and its soothing and pain-deadening
effects came with thrice blessed power,
breaking the force of the last fearful mo-
ments of suffering, and the unfortunate
victim of that most horrible of all maladies,
hydrophobia, escaped from his torturer at
quarter past 2 o'clock Thursday after
noon.
Mr.. Alexander was only 10 years old,
had lately joined the Baptist Church, and
was known as a most excellent and indus
trious young man. He frequently pointed
his finger heavenward just before he died,
and declared his desire to be at rest. His
invalid mother and oil his stricken family
have the lively sympathies of this whole
community.