New-York tribune., 1874-07-07
HYDROPHOBIA.
BETTER BLUNT THE Dogs TEETH.

BETTER BLUNT THE Dogs TEETH.
DEBATE OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SOCIETY UPON
MCoRMICK's CAsE-DfvIsIoN OF OPINION AS TO
WHETHER TIE DISEASE RESULTS FROM A
BLOOD OR NERVE PoIsoN:BoURRETs METHOD
OF BLUNTING THE DOGS TEETH RECOMMENDED
BY THE SOCIETY.
Many of the most distinguished physicians and
scientists IN this country assembled at the meeting
of the Neurological Society in the Osssge of Physl
clans and Surgeons at Fourth-ave. and Twenty
thIrd-st, last evening, to discuss the questions
connected with hydrophobia DIR. William
A. Hammond, the President of the So
ciety, occupied the chair. Prof j. &. Dalton
the psychologist; DR.. Hadden, DR.. Hamilton
DR.. Cross Dr. Leute, Dr. Peters, and host of other
physicians. were in attendance. Dr. Hammond read
several notices of future meetings of the Society
DR.. Alexander Hadden was expected to have begun
the evenings exercises by reading paper describ-
ing the case of William Mccormick, whom
he had treated. and who died of hydrophobia nearly
two weeks ago. In his absence, Dr. Hammond,
who in consultation with Drs. Hadden, Hamilton,
Clymer and others, had seen Mccormick on the
morning of the day on which he died, told what he
had observed. He spoke of the peculiar features OF
the case that convinced the physicians that the man
had true hydrophoba. The inability to swal-
low either fluids or solids was very
mark ed. 1t was absolutely impossible for
him to swallow water or ice, and when
attempts were made the substance was thrown
from the mouth with violence. The flow of saliva
marked. and the constant spasm indicated deep
seated disease Of the nerve centers. Dr. Hammond
then took up the Investigation of the parts which
had been affected by the disease and described
them at length, exhibiting by cuts the
structural changes caused by hydrophobia
in McCormick's case He admitted that
while the disease might be blood poison, and the
changes in the of life might have been caused
by the assimilation of that poison, yet 1t was more
than possible that it was true nervous disease ike
tetanus. The discoveries in this case do not prove
the lesion to be q constant one but DR..
Hammond believed that at least be-
ginning had been made, and that
there was now basis from which future investiga-
tors could proceed DR.. Hammond said that while
no treatment had effected a in well-authenti-
Gated case, yet the application Of the gavanic cur
rent had, in the only case in which it had been
tried, prolonged the patients life seven days.
This was a step in the right direction. But
prevention, in the present state acknowledge, was
the thing to be urged, and DR.. Hammond, after
speaking of cauterics and other methods of destroy
ing the virus advised by all means exsection of all
the parts involved. DIR. Hammond read resolutions
urging the taxing of dogs, and believ-
ing that muzzling did no good, because
it was impossible 10 keep the dog
constantly confined, advocated BOurrels method of
bunting the teeth filing of the incisor and canine
teeth to make the bite of dog as harmless as are
her bivorous animal These resolutions were adopted
by the Societe and committees were appointed to
investigate further and report at future meeting.
DR.. Hammond exhibited dog withits teeth filed and
showed how impossible it was for him to pierce the
skin with his bunted teeth. Jennings and his fore
man, who were bitten by the dog whose bite caused
the death of Ada Glare Miss Noyes) also pres
ent and were questioned with interest
Dr. Hadden who had come in meantime read his
account of the Mccormick case. Prof. D. c. Dalton
spoke in concise manner upon hydrophobia and
said that he believed it to be a blood disease. The
poison was taken up and the organic matter
becoming inftrated it would be difficult
matter to cut out the parts so as to
destroy all the virus He believed in nitrate of
silver, lunar caustic. Prof. Dalton was list
ened to with deep attention Dr. Cross
Dr. Lente, and many other physicians fol-
lowed discussing the question ably and thoroughly
This meeting must be q great addition to the
archives of science and give an impetus to the fu-
ture investigations that must develop important
facts both as to the treatment Of the human subject
and the dog when affected with hydrophobla.