Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-12-31
A Trip to the Mad Stone.

The Alexandria Gazette, last week, contain
Cd nosicss of the ravages Of mad dogs near
Gatlin's Springs in this, and Fairfax Station. in
Fairfax County The victims at Carlin's
Springs, Miss Mary Davis, . young lady Of
about sirtsen years Uf age. and Mr.. James Rey-
holds, who *srs bitten on Saturday, the 10th
instant. ranie 70 town ou the Monday following.
aud started on the Manassas train that morn
ing for the mad stone, in FAuquier Coupts,L
They returned on Friday last aud give the fol-
lowing account Of their visit: The stone 10
owned by Mr.. Uriel Tnplelt, who lives about
two miel northwest Of Rectortown, in whose
family it has been an heir loom for many gen.
erations, descending from father to son from
time almost immsmorial, being carefully pre-
served BY each posssssor % his most valuable
inheritance. It's bshs6u are dispensed gratui-
tously, the only consideration demanded being
a moderate amount for the board OF tho pa.
tents. The stone is about an inch long And
half an Inch thick, and resembles 10 appear
ancs piece Of eote. It has been, applied in
innumsrable cases to wounds inflicted BY snakes
aud mad animals. and 10 no instance has i,s
healing effect been known TO fail--in fact its
application is regarded by many persons in the
neighborhood ofRectortown, and by large num-
bers throughout the State aud county, - csr-
t,n and specific preventive Of hydrophobia.-
On the same train with the Carlns Sptines
victims. and for the same purpose, went lit
tie boy. . child Of Mr. Marshall, who had bean
bitten by dog at Fairfax Station. and upon
whom the virus had produced such an effect
that he was sick and would move about on his
hands and feet or course his condition meri-
ted and received the first attention, and he
went away apparently perfectly restored. Tbs
injhty Miss Davis had received WAS thcn at
tended h. She had been bitten on the first
joint Of the little hngef Of the right hand IN
the fssby part Of which the canine tooth OF
the dog had cut cash, and the wound looked
Jagged aud irritated, and the resulting inham
nation and pain bad extended up the ARM
The scab having been removed with warm Wa.
ter, the stone was applied to the raw surface
to which il attached itself SO firmly that it
could not be shaken of for some minutes, or
until it became saturated with the poison.
when il WAS removed aud placed in tumber
of water, in which IL discharged the matter IL
had absorbed, the virus rising to the surfA'-
aud costingit with greenish skim, inietspers-
ell with brightly shining elubues. The stone
being cleansed, its application was repeated
twice with the same result, but when applied
the fourth time il would not adhere, aud all
the poison, it was said, had been extracted
Mr.. Reynolds wounds wefs Inflicted before
thpse received by Miss Davis. but though tie
scabs were removed aud fresh surface present
ed, as the stone would not adhere 10 them, he
il now uncertain whether the scratches on his
hand were made by the dog or by brisr.
Mr.. Reynolds and Miss Davis called at the
Gazette Office on the evening Of their return.
with Mr. Carlin the proprietor Of Carlins
Springs, aud gave the above account Of their
visit to the famous mad stone. They are both
assured Of the efficiency Of the means they
have employed, and consequently have no
fears Of hydrophobia.