The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-19
Scientific Views of Professor
Buffers Death.
POISON OR IMAGINATION F?
The Great Dog Fancier's Opinion
Five Years Ago.
DR. CARNOCHAN on CAMS RABIAS.
The Story OF an Expert-An Invariably
Fatal Disease.


ings BY enraRed, excited or diseased dogs, and
which Is dangerous or ever fatal Public opinion
answers this query promptly In the Affirmative.
result OF that public verdict may be seen In our
municipal ordinance which condemns to death the
iriendless cur the strayed spaniel which may be
brought TO the pound under the stimulant OF a
money bounty. But in spite of the common belief
OF poison in the SALIVA OF furious dog, the contrary
opinion Is held by some and those persons who
have the largest experience OF canine lie and
disease. Among them may be named Professor
Francis Butler, late OF Peck slip, PROBABLY the best
known dog-lancier IN the world. who died during
the present week in Brooklyn, victim OF the
malady whose existence he derlded simply
the fgment OF disordered imagination,
giving way to ignoble and baseless
fear. DR.. Butler, who was some sxty-fve years
OF age, was OF English birth. His education was
liberal. and, being ond Of the Study OF languages,
ne became a proficient master OF the leading
modern tongues On coming to this country thir-
ty-six years ago, he made the teaching OF Ian
Euages his profession and engaged in that
calling for several years in Brooklyn. He was
always peculiarly fond OF dogs. This fondness
seems to have almost grown to a craze. He be-
teved in dogs, would go any distance to see rare
specimen, and give almost any price to become its
owner. He has been known TO pay $1,000 for o
canine treasure and to esteem himself fortunate
IN his investment. His fancy led him, some twenty
Years since, TO open the store in Peck slip
FAMILIAR to New York dog fancers. Since its es-
Establishment he has travelled the world over in
search OF peculiar and valuable breeds with which
ITO improve his stock. He went every
Eear to Europe, and was intending TO make his
Irregular visit there within few weeks. At his
Etore and at his Brooklyn residence corner OF Bre
tnen and Prospect streets, where he occupied q
barge area he had constantly hundreds OF dogs in
training or under medical treatment. From the
extent OF his operations and the soundness OF his
judgment he had long been considered the highest
authority and the Leading man "a the dog breeding,
training and healing business
PROFESSOR BUTLER ON HYDRoPRoBIA.
About i've years ago this community was vio-
lcntly excited about mad dogs and our danger
from their presence A Mr. Ludlam had persisted
under this dreaded disease. Many men OF innu
cnce gave the community their views on the SUBJ
sect. Among others, Professor Butler wrote the
HERALD a letter, which is reprinted herewith 1t
will be seen that the 21s OF February, 1862 DR..
Butler, who had had more experience of dogs and
their ailments than any other man among us, held
firmly to the belief that persons who go into spasms
OF ter ror at sight Of water do so from an in.
pculated disease by the tooth OF rabid member OF
Whe canine race, but from the workings OF fear,
Hmag1ning poison the veins wh ch has no ex-
fstence in fact. He adduces cases OF persons who
have taken hydrophobia rom dogs whose subse-
supposed inocu aton with virus. Moreover, he be-
ueveu that persons even II actually af1icted with
1he maady, which he considered exceedingly |
rare, If it existed at ALL could be certainly cured
by simple app locations OF caustic and salt bathing.
He esteemed it his duty to dsabuse the public OF
the hideous prejudice which 1t held against poor
brutes made frantic by the kicks and contumely
oil q cruel word, and hunted through the hot
with wells and till they fell exhausted
In some shelterlng retreat ready to die from fear
and excessive effort. 'Glve the poor whelp
rest" says this friendly writer, che wants but
good food, shelter and plenty OF water TO be
trusty companion and valued friend oil man." To
DR.. Buffers care the lovers OF dogs committed
their pets when they showed signs OF Illness In
this way he received q Spitz six weeks ago.
"snap' was sick. DR.. Butler attempted TO relieve
him by mouthIul OF common salt, which, IN his
hands, mad often worked wonders for dyspeptic
dogs. 1t did not SUIT "snap's'' palate. He seized
his friend by the thumb and inflicted q severe
wound. He was secured. The wound once
cleansed and pou tced. An assistant, In taking
the dog to DR.. Buffers Brooklyn place, by Roosevelt
street lerrv mad the 10 let the brute es
cape from his covered basket He ran yeping and
foaming among the frightened boat load OF passen-
gers a they we're landing, bit an unknown man, and
was killed by Policeman. Dr. Butler knew there
was danger Of nydrophobia, He treated his
wounded thumb attentively and with skill. Ma
ture smiled on his endeavor and II was soon
had been prey to indigestion, and it was
tormentlng him. But as Tor the dog BITE that was
a mere notning-a forgotten trine. He had been
bitten countless times before.
40 WATER FOR Me-"
Last Monday morning DR.. Butler sat down to his
breakfast. feeling in better health than he had
been Tor long time. cup OF tea being hanaed
Of choking ana was unable to swallow it. He
then asked Tor seidllz powder which, when
ss e cnosng and Sas instantly
with uneontrollabe aversion; Dr.: Butler
at the base OF the brain. HIS wife, VINO s a ady Of
culture and good Judgment, at once sent Tor the
Grand Street, Williamsburg. on his ARRIVAL Or.
Butler said to hum that he thought he had taken
codi he mad pans ne said, 10 his head and neck.
lie alluded To the dor bite. but said. HOl course,
you know that has nothing to do with this trouble,
Tne Doctor thought best TO acq1iesce In the pa
TENTS view, and TO treat the matter as being I'M
asked the sulerer to drink glass OF water. TINS
being brought, DR.. Butler seized it with both hands
strength. in the desperate endeavor to please mis-
old friend the physician oy giving him this
In Vain. No effort was able to carry one drop Of
the crystal liquid to his stomach The attempt
saon and evidently caused the me pa.ient dire dis
tress Affecting TO think nothing OF IL, Dr. Lorete,
whose experience had SHOWN MN tne same 10 unms-
sequence, endeavorlng to soothe the doomed man.
he wrote prescription. directing its adm!nistra-
dog iancer that he hoped TO see him better at his
next mex eail LETT the room. Taking occasion to see
1usite arrangements for ner husbands dreadful
'om was Imminent and beyond the power OF
flcal skill to turn aside or postpone
that hour TIL Tuesday night all that
be done was esssyed TO ., counterfeit !, ,a,.c
'mented that siaiwart man with the sensa-
suffocatioD, as though q hand we're tightly
about his throat as to totally preclude /
on. AT nine O'Clock Tuesday evening the |
sbeliever hydropnoba died from the bite I
Id dog, AFTER tortures the most poignant OF +
human nature is susceptible
DIR. Lorctte ON Hydrophobfa.
porter OF the HERALD visited DR.. Lorette and I
4 his attention to the views OF the deceased
eman on the s.so-called fearful maady," as he
ed IL. The Doctor said he was well aware
mr. putler,s ideas on that subject as