The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-30
HY ROPHO BIA.
Dreadful Suferings Of Poor Man in Washing.
ton-Direful Results Of Bite from
Small Dog-Futility Of All Medical Re-
sources-Death's Final Release.
WASHINGTON, March 30. 1873.

WASHINGTON, March 20, 1873.
The murder OF last midnight and most distress
ing case of hydrophobia which had fatal termna-
ton yesterday furnish two terrible topics of con-
versaton to the people OF this city. The victim OF
the hydrophobia was man named Richard Sta
pies, who had servcd in the Marine Corps, whence
he was honoraby discharged some years ago.
Since then he has been employed In his trade a.
carpenter in Chicago and in this city. He was at
tackled about three months ago while In Chicago by
small dog, which apparently inflicted no wound
upon him, but the symptoms OF the horrible dis
ease made their appearance on Wednesday last.
THE FIRST SYMPTOMS
Some two or three weeks ago he was noticed to
be very merose and low-spirited. On Sunday last
he complained Of general ilfeeling and frequently
hid his face in his hands. He next complained of
pains In his back and in his head. physician was
called, but by Wednesday morning the symptoms
were not far enough advanced to warrant the SUD-
position that it was hydrophobia- About six
O'Clock Wednesday evening 1t was found That he
could not swallow. 1t was then that the unms-
taxable symptoms OF hydrophobia were first de-
veloped. The back OF ms throat became perfectly
blue aud presented a terrible appearance. Calling
for a glass of water the patient took it in
both hands, conveyed it to his mouth and
clenched his teeth on the glass, at the same time
the first par0xysm. His pulse at the time beat
about one hundred and the pupils OF his eyes were
dated as well as his n0strs. Thursday morning
the paroxysms were more violent, and his pulse
was so rapid that it could not be counted.
THE PATIENT IRONED.
About hafpast twelve O'Clock that morning he
became so violent that it was deemed expedient to
secure him, pair of handouts and leg irons being
procured and put on his hands and legs with the
greatest difficulty. 1t took six men to hold
him while the irons were being put on. He laid
down the moor, folded his hands over his breast
afnt alh A tt,ot
having first summoned his wife and friends
and bid them all g0Odby. He next requested Rev.
MIR. wilson Of the Virginia avenue Methodist Prot
estant church, to sing and pray with him, and for
at least twenty-five minutes, while these spiritual
exercises were Kept up, he seemed perfectly COM
posed Then another paroxysm came on and he
went OF into violent contortions. Even while
these spasns lasted he seemed to be rational, and
when they passed on he always seemed Frustrated
While they lasted he loaned at the mouth, and
there was continual desire 10 spit. These dis
charges were tenacious mucus. OF a grecnish cast
and accompanied by some blood.
WONDERFUL EFFECT OF SINGING.
Singing was the only thing that seemed to have
a soothing effect upon him and threw him into
state Of ecsacy but as soon the singing stopped
and the sound OF the voice was lost on the audi
tory nerve the the parexysm returned. As soon as
the singing commenced he would begin to beat his
thigh and stamp his feet and soon every muscle In
his body wsuld be moving. His eyes presented
irlghtiul appearance and glared wildly. his pulse
tween the paroxysms grew shorter and shorter.
Ne remedy had any eject upon him.
AT FIRST A HyP0DERMIC INJECTION
OF halfa grain OF morphia given, bat II seohed
him for short time only. Then the injection was
increased to one and quarter grains, and
this large quantity Of morphia injected
under the skin. equal to about six grains Of opium,
did not quiet him for longer period than an hour.
powerful stimulating IMMINENT was used to rub
the spine, and bydrate OF choral given, but with
out effect. While the paroxysms were on him he
beggea these around him to Kill him. When DR..
McKim visited him yesterday morning and found
him In irons he at first thought he would take them
OF, but upon making q movement to do SO dis.
covered that IL would be very dangerous to release
him. The patient was then laying on the floor,
having broken down his bedstead in his rawlings.
paroxysms lasted, and the splitting increased
rapidly. Thursday night he was kept quiet good
part OF the time by the singing OF his friends, who
did everything In their power to relieve his suffer
ings. Yesterday morning there we're scarcely any
intervals between the paroxysms; It was like one
continued spasm, when his sutierings seemed in
tense, until ten O'Clock when death released him.