New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-21
HYDROPHOBIA INDUCED BY FEAR.

WAYNE HOYEY on HYDROPHOBA AS DISEASE OF
THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF EMINENT
MEDICAL MEN-THE CASE OF MRS. NoYEs-THE
DISEASE NOT INCURABLE.
TO the EdttOr Of Fhe Tribune
SIR Perhaps there would be no objection to re-
viying once year the old superstitious notions con-
corning hydrOphobia if species of false education
did not follow the discussion, and many innocent
people thereby be made very uncomfortable. Among
the best informed medical men hydrophobia is not
recognized as a well-defned and distinct disease,
but rather condition of the nervous system which
may or may not be superinduced by the bite of a
rabid animal In other words, there are many we'll
authenticated cases on record of persons who have
had all the symptoms Of hydrophobia who were
never bitten by any animal rabld or otherwise 1t
is usual, however, to call such attacks "convul-
sions !" and when it is not convenient to lay the i'll
ness of the patient TO the bite of dog to say if the
sufferer dies, that he expired in fit. 1t is also
well-kuown fact that several persons may
be bitten by a mad dog, and only one, or none of
them, die Of the disease. Such was the case when
Mrs. Noyes was attacked few weeks since Two
or three persons were bitten at the same time, by
the same dog, who are alive now, and likely to be
for many years, and who in all probability, will
never suffer the slightest Inconvenience from the
bites they received.
Hydrophoba is not unfrequently disease purely
of the imagination. Some time since man in Chi
cago was bitten by dog that was known to be per-
fecty WELL The victim, however, brooded over the
idea that sooner or later he would die from the
effects of the wound, although there were no mahi-
festations of serious character. But his appre-
tensions made him anxious and restless and almost
frenzed, and in few days he brought
upon himself fits of an alarming type.
From all the circumstances it was
evident that the man was in a dangerous condition,
and needed medical attention. Physicians were
called but he soon expired in great agony. From
beginning to end this mans case, 80 far as the dog
was concerned. one entirely of imagination DR..
Marx celebrated German physician, writing to
The Clinic, says that he regards hydrophobia a
morbid affection, induced by fear and, in support of
his opinion. cites many interesting cases. Dr. Luke,
in his work on the Influence Of the Mind upon the
Body" supports the hypothesis that hydrophobic
symptoms are often developed without previous
incubation, and he relates notable instance
of physician of Lyons, who, having assisted
in the dissection of several victims of the disorder
imagined that he himself had become inoculated.
On attempting to drink he was seized with spasms
of the pharynx and in this condition roamed about
the streets for three days. At length his friends
succeeded in convincing him of the groundessness
of his apprehensions, and he at once recovered.
II ybody questions the effect Of imagination, let
him turn to the history of witchcraft in New
England, where superstition was fosered to the ex-
tent of taking life. People sickened and died under
imaginary SPELLS and pious cergymen and wise
magistrates countenanced the hanging Of innocent
victims Even so able and virtuous a Judge as
Sir Matthew Hale condemned poor woman to death
conviction of the imaginary crime of witcheraft
DR.. Wattss line. =" Let dogs delight to bark and
bite" is not fair to the canine race. Dogs may de-
light to bark, as many people delight to talk, but
they do not delight to bite. And no dog will bite
unless he is provoked or is disturbed in his guard
over his masters property mad dog seeks to avoid
all society, and if permitted to reach the public
highway, will never go out of his course TO bite but
will finally if let alone, drop dead without doing the
least injury to any one.
Lastly, the disease is not as is generally supposed
incurable. There are many persons who have had
hydrophobia, and have recovered from it. DIR. Pan.
coast recommends the of acid nitrate of mercury
as a prophy Tactic treatment for the bite OF rabd
animal, and DIR. Buisson, distinguished French ply
scian. says he never knew q to fail Of recovery
where the patient was repeatedly placed in steam
baths varying in heat from 81 TO 6s degrees cent?
grade. WAYNE uQvxY,
SeW FORK. ApEu 10. Is7G