The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-07-02
M'CORMICK'S CASE.

mo nepOTtcW OAscoNCTy VI ASs NAOeAo VA
Communication Into the system-Is 1T a
Blood Poison q Purely Nervous Dis
ease !-Vievs OF Eminent Medical Men.
1t Will be recollected that on the adjournment
of the Mccormick jury DR.. Hammond was in
trusted with the microscopic examination OF
the parts OF the body requiring such mi
mute investigation. 1t was understood that
the jury would be called together about
the 18th inst for the purpose OF hearing tho re-
port of his observations and coming to a decision
upon them. But although the jury has not yet
been summoned nor been informed authoritatively
OF the result OF DR.. Hammond's examinations re-
port has spread abroad that the learned Doctor
has made most important discovery that when
pushed further by more extended investigations
will most probably lead to thorough and CON-
plete understanding Of the terrible disease, and,
consequently. to ON effective means OF curing it.
The discovery said to have been made Is that
hydrophobia is q nervous disease, and not blood
poison. II this should prove to be true it would
be certainly
THE MOST IMPORTANT DISCOVERY OF THE AGE
in medical science, and wonld lead to a complete
revolution in the manner OF treating persons
af1icted with hydrophobia. 1t would, in
fact, settle point that has been con-
stantly q matter OF dispute between the
most eminent men Of the profession ever
medicine was in Its infancy. Although the state
ment cannot be considered as strictly authentic or
f 6 hammond mss II has nsvertSe
less aroused considerable interest in medi-
cal circles. Dr. Hammond was well known
to be strongly predispoSed to the acceptance
of such theory, as he was an avowed follower Of
the school of Brown Sequard In this branch of med
held that hydrophObia is a blood poison. There.
fore, while acknowledging the great ability OF Dr..
Hammond. many eminent medical men were in
ri n al cQutiOuQ
OF a man who was half convinced before he under
took the examination In question, even surprising
the statement TO have been correctly given.
With a view to ascertain the views Of some Of
the other medical men associated with DR.. Ham,
o on HERALD coea on Se s
number OF them yesterday Some OF them were
doubtful OF the ACCESSIBILITY OF making any state
should hear rom DR.. Hammond himself the
result OF his examinations, and the matter should
tors who investigated McCormick's case or this
number was DR.. SchoOnover who may be taken as
specimen OF those who did not think 1T to com.
DIR. Schoonover,. OF No. 67s Lexington avenue
had not read the published report OF Dr.. Ham
thing aboutit. On being shown 1t, he read 1t over
and said 1t was evidently the reporter who spoKe
statement on so important question,
one that required such close examination and re-
port Of Dr. Hammond before him and had studied
It closely and thought over It, He said the jury
had only adjourned pending the microscopic ex-
animation, ana would be called together again
early this month to hear the report and discuss
1t. Until notified OF such a meeting he could
not feel sure that DR.. Hammond had COM
pieted his labors. He regretted that he had
not received some or the parts to be examined, as
1t would AFFORD him much qualification to study
them, and other members OF the jury. besides DR..
Hammond, had been given portions OF the portion
OF McC0rmck's body affected by the disease. Con-
sidering all these things he thought IL better to
main silent till che jury should meet again.
DR.. ALLIN M'LEAN HAMILTON,
Another OF the jury said he did not consider the
reported results arrived at by DR.. Hammond az
conclusive, but thought there was certainly some
thing In them. The same post-m0rtem appear
ances occur In other c0nvulsve diseases, and ex-
travasatiOn OF the blood Is produced also by opium
poison, or, perhaps by any congestive disease at
tended with commissions. In commissions with coma
the patient win die through paralysis of the
pnenmOgastric nerve. All symptoms Of hydro
phObia are renex. Extravasation is, per-
haps, secondary, and probably occurs from
the violence OF the commissions. The most import
ant thing IN the case Of Mccormick, Is the soften
ing OF the seventh eighth and ninth cranial nerves.
II DR.. Hammond hnds this it will be the decisive
point in the diagnosis. DR.. A. Mel Hamilton
thinks the Board Of Health should have complete
control Of the disposal Of dogs, as most cases Of
hydrophobia come from dogs that have shown few,
II any, previous symptoms. But he Is decidedly
opposed to the tndiscrtminatc seizure OF dogs.