New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-27
HYDROPHOBIA.
A SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION.

A SCIENTIFIC lNNESIlOAI tON.
DEDUCTIONS FROM THE EXAMINATION OF Moor
MICKs BoDY-DR. HAMMOND ASSERTS THAT REAL
HYDRoPHOBA Is EXCEEDINGLY RARE AND CAN
NOT BE CURED-Is 1T BLOOD POISON OR A DIS
EASE OF THE hEDULLA oBLoNGArA AND GREAT
NERVE CENTERsi
Many of the most distinguished members Of the
medical profession in this city are endeavoring to
determine what peculiar lesion is present IN hydro
phobia. and what treatment If any may prove
most effectual and beneficial to the parent
The death of William Mccormick on Thursday af-
ternoon, which resulted from hydrophobia, fur
nished the requisite opportunity for thorough sci
entifc investigation. At $50 p. M yesterday Drs.
VIM. A. Hammond, Frank Hamilton. Meredith Cly-
mer. Hadden the family physician, ID. Z. LeavItt.
Savage, Jacok1 f ID. Leavitt Russell Cremin, futile,
and Others met at Mr.. Mccormick residence, No 300
East Fftyrst-st TO discuss the case investigate any
points connected with the subject, and make care
full post-mortem examination. Opinion was divided
as to whether hydrophobia was caused by blood
poisoning. was true lesion Of the nervous sys-
TEN. DR.. Hammond was Of the opinion that the
disease true nervous lesion, either of the brain,
spinal chord and medulla oblongata the great sympa-
thetic system-Or q combination of all Of them.
Dr. Clymer contended that there was clearly blood
poisoning The period of incubation between the bite
of a rabid animal and the appearance of the
disease was occupied by some process of assImila-
ton by which the action of the poison was devel-
oped. In cases Of snake-bite and other poisoned
wounds, that followed by fatal results. there is
longer or shorter period of incubation. But in
these cases there 10 always some clear and apparent
lesion which points out the direct action. In this
case the wound was mere scratch Of the dogs
tooth upon the first knuckle of the right hand.
Careful inquiry developed the fact that although
Mccormick did not say much about the wound, yet
from the first it had caused him great mental anI-
ety. This anxiety had increased, and could be dis
cerned in his features. His brother noticed it, and
advised him TO see physician. Then he laughed 1t
off, and said that the dog was not mad and the bite
was nothing. When Dr. Hadden first McCOr-
mick on Wednesday night, he particularly noticed
this anxious look. His pupils were diated to their
fullest extent, though there was a bright
gaslght in the room. He seemed, said
Or. MADDEN, as though expecting something horri-
bic, of the reaction Of which he was ignorant-some
intangible horror This Is similar TO the appear
ance of the eyes in acute mania OF just before the
development Of that disease. Dr. ClYmer thought
that blood poisoning would produce this appearance
by reflex action Of the nerve centers Children at
ected with worms in their stomachs often
thrown into pasms by the reflex action of the pneu-
mogastric nerve and the irritation Of the sympa-
thetic system. -
Strong reasons were brought forward by Dr. Ham,
mond TO show that the lesion is truly nervous. 1mi-
tatlon of the fbers of the medulla oblongata in
creases to actual inflammation. The exciting cause
is the introduction into the system Of the peculiar
virus Of the rabid dog; no dog can communicate
hydrophObia unless it is affected with true rabies
This disease in the dog said DR.. Hammond, re-
~ haip in mr.
particulars. There is the anxious glare of the
eye, and the intense watchfulness and sense Of ex
pectation. Something Is impending, and the ap-
preaching horror can be felt.
DR.. Hamilton spoke of the investigations by
eminent French scienti But they had not been
able TO settle the question whether the disease was
caused by a blood-poison. introduced into the
system, or an exciting cause directed TO the
nerve centres At one time the question
believed 10 be on the point of solution by a dis
tinguished Frenchman BE reported to the Medical
Faculty that he had discovered the true inception
of the disease Ill pustue that formed beneath the
dogs tongue. This, he believed appeared upon
the human being also. It's timely removal was
certain cure. Unfortunately experience has not
borne out the truth of this assertion. DR.. Hamilton
thought more favOrably of the theory that the
blood was the vehicle by which the poison enters
the system, but he was open to conviction by the
other side.
Dr. Hidden gave some interesting statements of
his observation of the case and his views were con-
firmed by Drs. Hammond Hamilton, Leavitt, and
Others, who had visited the patient before death.
After Mr.. Mccormick had been under control the
most troublesome thing except the terrible
commissions, was the increased flow of saliva
from the glands, especially the sub-maxillary.
When first counted, the pulse was - and irregular.
The irreguarty of the pulse was doubtless caused
by the intense nervous excitement. 1t afterward
Jumped TO 40 and ran from 100 TO 100 until death
ensued Atropia was given under the skin until
0ne-sixth of grain had been administered. This IL
equal TO five ordinary doses The pupils had
been dilated from the beginning, and remained so.
After the atropa began to act upon the system,
the flow of saliva became much less,
At length it was entirely checked. and the mouth
and fauces became quite dry. Mccormick at this
time said. "rm so dry: I must have drink of
water; my mouth and throat feel as though had
been chewing bricks" The subsequent administra-
ton of morphia did not seem TO affect the system
As much as five grains had been given under the
skin, but the pupils still remained widely dilated.
- no genera action could be seen. Either
the blood was not in state to receive and assimi-
late the morphia. the nerve centers were in such
high state of congestion that they could not be in
fuenced by it's action. DR.. MADDEN believes that
the latter was the true state of the The res
piration, when free from commissions. during which
it was often almost suspended was about IA.
Toward the end the respiration became almost
wholly abdominal. that H. the muscles of the chest
and neck did not act The temperature was
carefully watched, aud always showed intense
conpestive action in all parts of the body.
Many times the thermometer registered llO' and az
others 1882 lO95 aud 1860. Just before death the
temperature was loi 2l0o. Thus couclusiyely shows
said Dr. Hahien. that the morphia did not affect the