Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-01-07
A Trip to the Mad Stone.

The Alexandria Gazeiic, last week, contain
ell notices Of the rsvagcs of mad dogs near
Carlin,s Springs in this, and Fairfax Station. in
Fairfax County. The victims at Carlin's
Springs, Miss Mary Davis, a young lady Of
about sixteen years cf age and Mr.. James Rey-
nolds, who were bitten on Saturday, the 10th
instant, came to town on the Monday following.
snd started on The Manassas train that morn
ing for the mad stone, in Fsuquier County
They returned on Friday last and give the fol-
lowing account Of their visit: The stone is
owned by Mr.. Urel Triplett, who lives abou,
two miles northwest Of Rectortown, in whose
family il has been an heir loom for msny gen.
eratons, descending from father 70 son from
time almost immemorial, being carefully pre-
served by each possessor as his most valuable
inheritance. Its benefits are dispensed gratui-
tously, the only consideration demanded being
q moderate amount for the board Of the pa
tents The stone is about an inch long and
half sn inch thick, and resembles in appear
ancs piece Of coke. IL hs. 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 ofRectortown, and by large num-
bers throughout the State and county, as GER
tin aud specific preventive Of bydrophobia.-
On the same train with the Carlin's Springs
victims, and for the same purpose, went a lit
tie boy, a child of Mr. Marshall who had been
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. OF course bis condition meri-
ted and received the first attention, and lie
went away apparently perfectly restored The
injury Miss Davis had received was then at
tended TO. She had been bitten on the first
Joint of the little finger OF the right hand, IN
the fleshy part of which the canine tooth Of
the dog had cut a cash, aud the wound looked
Jagged and irritated, and the resulting inilam-
lnation and pain had extended up ,ne saa.-s
The scab having been removed with warm wa
ter, the stone was applied to the raw surface
to which it attached itself so firmly that il
could not be shaken of for some minutes, OF
until it became saturated with the poison,
when it was removed and placed in tumbler
Of water 10 which il discharged the matter j.
had absorbed, the virus rising TO the surface
and cOatingit with greensh skim, interspcrs-
cd with brightly shining globues. The stone
being cleansed, its application was repeated
twice with the same result, but when applied
the fourth time it would not adhere, and all
the poison, it was said, had been extracted
Mr.. Reynolds wounds were inflicted before
those received by Miss Davis, but though Tie
scabs were removed and fresh surface present
ed, as the stone would not adhere 10 them, he
is now uncertain whether the scratches on lis
hand were made by the dog or by brian.
Mr. Reynolds aud Miss Davis called at tie
Gazette Office on the evening Of their return.
with Mr. Carin the proprietor Of Carlins
Springs, and 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 hayO DO
fears Of hydrophoba.