, 1872-12-09
DlSAGREEING DOCTORS.
Death Of a Fireman from Peculiar and
Undetermined Disease.
He Had the Symptoms Of Epfzootic,
Hydrophobia, and Poison.
Seven Physicians Called ln--The Family Objects
to Post.Mortem Examination.

d fireman died at the home Of his mother, No
ll5 West Adams street, at o'clock yesterda,
AFTERNOON, but from what cause has not beer
definitely ascertained. His name was Joh1
Strickler, and his position that of engineer O.
Engine No. 3,-the William James. On Thurs
day last he complained Of feeling unwe1l, ant
was excused from duty by his foreman and toll
to go home. He did not go, however, unit
FRIDAY morning, when heWas very sick Dr. Clark
OF No. Ill West Monroe street, was sent for, bu1
the symptoms manifested we're so peculiar thai
he Was unable to determine the nature Of the
disease. strick1er's mouth and throat would
fill with mucus when he coughed, and his
brother and mother imagined that he was suf-
fering from the epizootic. He was very fond Of
horses, and was continually in their quarters Of
tho engine house when he had leisure. The
animals we're attacked with the disease, and
it was supposed he had contracted it
while fondling them. On Saturday morn
ing he had spasm which lasted nearly
two hours, and vornited frequently. These
symptoms puzzled the physician more and more,
and, detecting what he thought obe evidences OF
hydrophobia, he inquired if strick1er had not
been bitten by a dog. The reply was that, when
child, twenty-fve or twenty-six years ago, he
was playing with q dog, and received slight
wound. Tho animal, however, was not mad,
and died soon after the occurrence. DR.. Clark
concluded thence that the disease Was hydropho-
bia. His conviction was strengthened when
water was offered to- the sufferer,
who showed his repugnance III Il very
decided manner. spasn followed spasm on Sat-
qrday night, and yesterday morning Professor
Andrews, DR.. johnson, DR.. 1sham. and DR.. Da-
T.,a5
were called in for consultation. The progress
OF the disease and it's symptoms were detailed
by DR.. Clark, and they examined the patient, but
none Of them felt justified in naming the aftlic-
drophobia. # was Thought best to analyze the
fluid which strickler had thrown up, and this
duty was assigned to DR.. Clark, who expressed
himself as confident that he could give IN
affirmative opinion to-day. At o'clock in the
afternoon strickler died. He YVES CONSCIOUS
nearly all the time, and WIS aware Of the ap-
proach OF the Bpasms, and would request some
one to hold his hands and rub his body. No froth
issued from his mouth. It WAS rumored On the
street last evening that a brother OF the de-
ceased claimed that poison had been given to
John BY some one, and that he Qhe brother)
know who it was. a reporter of TEE TRIBUNE
called at the house at II o'clock, and
WIS informed by the brother that he had made
the assertion, but had decided not to insist upon
. post-nsortens examination, as his mother OBJ
jected to one being made. He said he had wit
messed the death Of several persons who had
taken poison, and their actions were similar to
those Of John. As the Coroner WAS not notified
probably no inquest will be held. DR.. Clark, by
The analysis he purposes making, may re-
move all doubt as to the cause
II death, and render the services Of the Coro-
ner unnecessary. Mr. Strick1er had been men,
ber Of the Fire Department for several years,
and WAS much esteemed by all his associates.
was 81 years OF age, and leaEes wife but no
children. A meeting Of the members Of tho
paid Fire Department will be held at the house
II Engine No, II, On West Lake street, this
evening, to make arrangements for his funeral.