Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-03-29
DEATH FROM HYDROPHOBIA.
Terrible Sunerfngs Of the Victim.
What the Doctors Say About n.



In yesterdays STAR was Published some ac-
count Of a case of well-defned hydrophobia in
East Washington. The disease had fatal ter
mination yesterday, and all the circumstances
was 's an ie siesdS g,med RcSal
Staples, who had served faithfully in the ma
rine corps, but was discharged some years ago,
ana see s1en IN cSi 1een at ms
ily formerly resided over the Eastern branch
near Uniontown, but Of late years have resided
in the eastern section of the city. About
month ago his mother was taken with the small
pox and died, and a few days afterwards sister
was taken off with the same disease. Mr..
r. sided there until December last when he re-
turned to this city. While in Chicago he was
attacked on the street about four months go BY
a small dog, but no wound was inflicted, and he
paid no attention to the matter. As time passed
on the subject went out of his mind until the
symptoms of the horrible disease made their
appearance, on "Wednesday last The medical
is the time elapsiDg between the bite and the
appearance OF the symptoms, ranges from six
weeks to eighteen months, hence the symptoms
time prescribed. The physicians, however, not
being able to find any wound and accepting
the statement of the patient that none was
inflicted, are forced to the conclusion that
THIS CASE Is A SPONTANEOUS ONE,
as some medical writer's have maintained that
the disease may occasionally be spontaneously
developed in man, as Is undoubtedly the case
occasionally in the lower animals, the dog and
WOLF
The premontory symptoms in cases of hydro
Phobia, in either human being or any other
animal, are great sullenness and a disposition
to be left alone. In the case OF the unfortunate
man Staples there was not a single symptom OF
hydrophobia wanting; all of the physicians
nave eonSnTred in that opinion. Some two or
rose and low-spirited, and manifested a dispo-
sition TO be away from his family, expressing a
desire to be down in the yard at night alone.
He was not only very taciturn, but abrupt when
spoken to. On Sunday last he complained OF
feeling badly, and frequently
HID HIS FACE WITH HIS HANDS.
When asked by his wife why he did this, he
would brighten up for few minutes, but soon
relapse into the same state. He next COM
planned of pains i'm his back and Ia his head,
and on Wednesday DIR. Mckim, the family
physician, was called. At that time the symp-
toms were not far enough advanced to warrant
the supposition that it was hydrophobia. About
six O'Clock on Wednesday evening il was noticed
that
he COULD NOT SWALLOW.
| 1t was then that the unmstakable symptoms Of
hydrorhobia were first developed. When the
doctor saw him he noticed that the back of his
throat was perfectly blue and presented an ap-
pearance rarely seen. Calling for glass of
| water for the patient he handed it to him.
Staples took it In both hands and conveyed It to
| his mouth and clenched his teeth on the glass,
| at the same time making an unusual noise IA
| his throat. This was the first paroxysm noticed
and at that time his pulse was about 100, and
| the pupils of his eyes dilated, as we'll as his
| nostrils. He appeared very restless, and fire.
quently complained of violent pains in his
| stomach. He seemed apprebensive that he
would hurt some one, and cautioned all to keep
| away from him. DIR. Joseph Walsh also saw
him that afternoon with DIR. Mckim and all
agreed that
| THE SYMPTOMS WERE THOSE OF HYDRoPHoBIA
| about three o'clock Wednesday afternoon Drs.
| McKim, Elliott, and Ford saw him, and has
symptoms then were much worse. His pulse
| was as high as 140. pupils much dilated, and
he had a very unnatural wild look. At first the
| paroxys,ns affected the muscles of the face
| and throat only, and his face at that time was
| much distorted; but later the muscles Of the
chest and arms were attacked If his hand was
| placed in warm water the paroxysm was brought
on, and the sight of an empty cup had the same
effect The handle of a silver fork was placed
| in his mouth and his teeth cinched on it So
| tightly that a perceptible indentati0n was
more violent, and his pulse was so rapid that 1;
| could not be counted. About half past twelve
O'Clock that morning he became so violent that
| it was deemed expedient to secure him. Officers
Offutt and Sicily were called in and pair OF
hand cuffs and leg irons being procured from
srd ST the pun
out the greatest difficulty. He seemed to be
POSSESSED OF HERCULEAN STRENGTH,
and II took six stout men to hold him while the
irons were being put on. When the first hand
cuff was being put on, he being on the floor at the
time, caught the leg OF the stove near him, and
the united efforts Of all could mot make him let
something else, and he released his grasp.
On Thursday he laid down on the floor, folded
his hands over his breast, and stated he was 60.
ing TO die in that position, having first sum
mOned his wife and friends, and bid them all
good bye. He next requested Rev. Mr.. Wilson
of the Virginia avenue NJ P. church, to sing
and pray with him, and for at least TWENTY-FIVE
minutes, while these spiritual exercises were
kept up, he seemed perfectly composed. Then
into
THE MOST VIOLENT cONroRrIoNs.
Even while the spasms lasted he seemed to be
seemed @ He keps WANING me ali Sis
friends to keep away from him. saying he did
not want to hurt any one. Later in the day on
oxysm. Taking hold Of his wrist suddenly,
placing hand on his face, loud noise, or
speaking to him abruptly, all brought on the
mouth, and there was a continual desire to spit
These discharges were tenacious mucus OF a
greenish cast, and accompanied by some blood.
sOOTHED BY SINGING.
Singing was the only thing that seemed TO
have soothing effect upon him, and threw him
into state of ecstasy, but as soon the sing
ing stopped, and the sound of the voice was lost
on the auditory nerve, the paroxysm returned.
As soon as the singing commenced he would
begin to beat his thigh and stamp his feet, and
moving. During "Wednesday, before the irons
were placed on him, he ran all the fam
lily out Of the house with q knife in his
DR.. McKim, who seemed to have more control
over him than any one else, was sent for, and
when that gentleman arrived the paroxysm had
passed OH, and he was found lying on the floor
with the knife beside him, completely pros
trated. 1t was then deemed expedient to nut
the irons on him for safety. After they were
put on stout cord was tied from those on the
hands to those on the feet to prevent him in
iuring himself by striking his head with the
handouts. His eyes now presented frightful
appearance, and
GLARED WITH TERRIBLE wfLDyEss
His pulse could not he counted at ALL and the
Intervals between the paroxysms grew shorter
and shorter. No remedy had any effect upon
nim. At first hyperdemic injection Of half a
grain OF morphia was given, but It soothed him
for short time only. Then the injection was
increased to one and quarter grains, probably
ENOUGH TO KILL NAN
In ordinary health, and this large quantity of
morphia injected under the skin-equal to about
six grains Of opium-did not quiet him for a
longer period than an hour. A powerful stimu.
hydrate Of choral given, bat without eject.
Wednesday evening and Thursday morning 1t
was noticed that any attempt to swallow pro-
ing . want Of the natural secretions OF the
mouth and throat, and later In the day or
Thursday he refused to take ANYTHING, and nc.
une6ieiua rsor1d aduniu}nknSol HyS~sI-