New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-26
MORE HYDROPHOBIA.
FATAL CASE.

nhobia were taken aback Yesterday by the death OF
William Mccormick of No. 800 East fifty-irst-f,
whose case exhibited all the most pronounced
symptoms Of that disease. A little over month
ago, Mr.. Mccormick, who is butcher, aud also
follows the express business, was bitten by small
dog. The wound was upon the hand, and was 30
slight that it seemed TO be only scratch ana Oh no
importance whatever His wife and family expressed
great anxiety on account of the STIR about mao
dogs but he laughed at their fears, assuring them
that the dog was not mad, and that there could be
no danger The dog was taken to the pound and
killed, so that there has been no chance to prove
whether he had rabies or not.
On Monday Mr.. Mccormick began 70 experience
Mains in his neck and about his shoulders. He be-
lieyed that he had rheumatism and again laughed
at the fears of his wife and family. BE continued
to grow worse and applied hnaments and fomenta-
tons He did not consult q physician and con-
tinued about his business as usual
On Wednesday at 10 Mr.. Mccormick complained
of feeling peculiar creeping sensation coming up
his back and spreading over his shoulders and the
back of his neck. He told his wife that he teit
faint and she brought him glass OF
water He took the glass IN his hand and
placed it to his lips to drink. His teeth
closed upon the edge of the glass, his bps became
purple and his face presented the appearance OF
person asphyxiated by choking The muscles about
his neck were contracted and he caught bis breath
rapidly and at intervals could not breath at all Dr.
Heddon of No. 155 East Fifty frstst. was sent Tor
and he reached the house as the spasm was passing
off. The physician examined the patient carefully.
and pronounced the case one of true hydrophooia'
He prescribed anodynes, and went out promising to
call again at 10 o'clock.
DR. Hedden called upon Dr.. WE. Leav1tt OF NO.
.t-.r4
with him upon Mr. Mccormick. at 10, as agreed
upon. they met at McCormicks house, and
went to the patients room. Without hesitation
Dr. Leavtt said that he considered the case one OF
pronounced hydrophobia. Since the former Visit
the case had advanced very rapidly, and the
commissions followed each other with great rapid
itv. Seeing that the patient would soon De
bepond the control of the family male nurses were
sent for The most powerful anodynes and mar
cotics seemed 10 have effect, and the disease IN
creased rapidly toward fatal termination
At Bib yesterday morning the convulsious were so
terrible that the nurses could not control the
patieut. He would straighten himself out and
then spring with bis might throw
himself from the bed. His jaws snapped
together and froth ran from his mouth
in streams Precipitation rolled from all parts
of his body wetting throuhh his shirt
and the bedding. His face was hvid
and from time to time his throat seemed
to contract, until the large muscles stood out IN
cords. His agony was intense, and even chloroform
could not be given to quiet the commissions. At
length patrolman was called in and sent to the
Fiftyunth-st Police Station for help and straight
acket. Sergeant Tanning sent Roundsman West
with the straight jacket and render such assist
auce as might be necessary. With their united
18th the straight jacket was applied and then
more control could be exercised over the patient.
The physicians remained with Mr. Mccormick all
night but their efforts were unayaIling. fester-
day forenoon Drs. William A. Hammond, Hogan.
c. V. Russell, Hamilton, Viele OF the
Board of Health, Tuttle, Cremin, Z. u.
Leavitt and other scientists were called IN to see
the patient. They made a careful examination OF
the facts connected with the case. Zach symptom
was weighed with the greatest care. and every
point upon which issue could be taken was
discussed fully. At length they decided
that the case was one of true hydrophobia and that
10 doubt could be cast upon its genuineness. The
time that had elapsed from the bite Of the dog
agreed with the usual time Of incubation. The
slight nature of the wound did not initiate
against the diagnosis because many
of the most pronounced cases Of hy-
drophobia on record have come from just such
punctures. The healing OF the wound was natural,
and this is usual after the bites of rabid dogs The
first symptoms and the rapid progress of the disease
agreed with the scientific investigations IN
previous cases in London and Paris.
The fatal termination must soon come,
and then scientific investigation Is 10
be made and the microscope may reveal important
facts The treatment had been the free admlnistra-
ton of anodynes and narcotics as far as possible.
but the constancy with which the commissions rap
idly followed each other made the administration OF
any remedies uncertain and difficult
During the afternoon Mr. Mccormick was con-
stantlv in a state of spasm. So rapidly did they
follow one another that the commissions seemed
almost continuous. About o'clock signs of weak
ness were shown for the first time, and it became
evident that change was near. lit
tie chlorof0rm was administered, and after
ward the patient was little easier and tried
TO speak. Before his selCence could be finished, an
other spasm came Oh. more terrible than any. His
back was bent like a bow. and the entire weight Of
the body rested upon the head and heels. His
laws crashed together. and once his
teeth went through his lounge. causing it
to bleed profusey. The blood and froth
ran from his mouth scattering his face and the
bed clothes. Then giving a tremendous struggle,
almost bursting bonds of tho straight jacket, he
threw himself over upon his side. His jaws were
clenched so tightly that they cracked in the
terrible strain. The agony intence In
few moments. just as the clock was
striking ;. an ashen hue began TO spread over his
face. The muscular contraction relaxed. The jaw
dropped and Mr.. McCormick's terrible sufferings
were over Death was welcome, for no person could
have suffered as he did. He was evil
IDENTIFY conscious all through the terrible
struggle, al was shown by has attempt
to speak Just before his death. The straightjacket
v.s remoyed and then the rgor mortis began b set