The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1871-01-07
[From the Alexandria, Va, Gazette
II Trim to the Mad Stone.

The Gazette, last week, contained notices of
the ravages of mad dogs near Carlin's Springs
in this, and Fairfax Station, in Fairfax county.
The victims at Carlins Springs, Miss Mary
Davis, a young lady of about sixteen years Of
age, and Mr.. James Reynolds, who were bitten
on Saturday, the 10th instant, came to town on
the Monday following, and started on the
Manassas train that morning for the mad
stone, in Fauquier county. They Veturned on
Friday last and give the following account of
their visit: The stone is owned by Mr.. Uriel
Triplett, who lives about two miles northwest
of Rectortown, in whose family it has been an
heir loom for many generations, descending
from father to son from time almost immemo-
rial, being carefully preserved by each posses
sor as his most valuable inheritance Its bene-
fits are dispensed gratiously, the only considera-
tion demanded being moderate amount for
the board of the patients The stone is about
an inch long and half an inch thick and re-
sembles in appearance piece of coke. 1t has
been applied in innumerable cases to wounds
inflicted by snakes and mad animals and in
no instance has its healing effect been known
to fail-in fact its application is regarded by
many persons in the neighborhood of Rector
town, and by large numbers throughout the
State and county, as q certain and specific
prevention ofhydrophobia. On the same train
with the Carlin,s Springs victims, and for the
same purpose went little boy, child of Mr..
Marshall who had been, bitten by dog at
Fairfax Station, and upon whom the virus hsd
produced such an effect that he was sick and
would move about on his hands and feet. Of
course his condition merited and received the
first attention, and he went away apparently
perfectly restored. The injury Miss Davis had
received was then attended to. She had been
bitten on the first joint of the little finger of
the right hand, in the heshy part of which the
canine tooth of the dog had cut cash, and the
ix.l srrsfo f0A aro1 H..
sulting inflammation and pain had extended up
the arm. The scab having been removed with
warm water, the stone was applied to the raw
surface, to which it attached itself so firmly
that it could not be shaken off for some minutes,
or until it became saturated with the poison,
when it was removed and placed in tumbler
of water, in which it discharged the matter it
had absorbed, the virus rising to the surface
and coating it with a greenish skum, inter
spersed with brightly shining globules. The
stone being cleansed, its application YVES re-
peated twice with the same result, but when
applied the fourth time it would not adhere,
and the poison, it was said, had been extracted.
Mr.. Reynolds wounds were inflicted before
those received by Miss Davis, but though the
scabs were removed and fresh surfaces pre-
sented, as the stone would not adhere to them,
he is now uncertain whether the scratches on
his hand were made by the dog or by briarg
Mr.. Reynolds and Miss Davis called at the
Gazette Office on the evening of their return,
with Mr.: Carln, the proprietor of Carlin's
Springs, and gave the above account of their
visit to the famous mad stone. They are both
assured of the efficacy of the means they have
employed, and consequently have no fears of
hydrophoba.
In letter to the editor of the Baltimore Sun
Professor n. R. Smith of that city states the
following:
When FURNISHED for yeur paper the article
on hydrophobia was perfectly well aware of
the existence of the mad-dog stone, and of the
faith which many repose in it. 1 thought it
too ridiculous, however, to merit attention
after having explained the mode in which such
nostrums acquire reputation. This stone is
probably of slaty or chalky nature, and por-
Gus. When dry it will adhere to a moist part
as such a substance will to the tongue, and
fall off when saturated with moisture. That
it has any affinity for the poison of the rabid
animal is too ridiculous to merit serious dis
cussion. The evil resulting from confidence in
remedies so absurd is that it preludes the use
of the efficient means. N. R. SMITH.