The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-11-27
SAD CASE OF HYDROPHOBIA.
Death ofR Little Child Kitten BY DoE Over
seven Months AEo.

Death ofn Little CHILD Bitten by n Dok Over
seven Months AKo.
A very sad case Of death by hydro
phobia il reported in New York, aud one
which shows the workings Of this terri
bio disease. The victim was child five
years Of age. In April last, while its
nurse was taking the little ono for
walk, and Just MS it had lef. car at
Central Park entrance, small Spitz
dog, without provocation, sprung, ut it,
bit him in tho face and ran away. The
under teeth Of the dog caught the child
under tho lower jaw, and tho upper
teeth struck his face just below tho oyo
Cleft side). AS lis mouth closed the
teeth produced only slight abrasion OF
the cheek, but tue tusk perforated the
upper lip and tore its way out, leaving q
Clean cut OF nearly hall an inch III
depth. Tho nurse caught the child up
aud ran homo with him Immediately.
His mother, as soon as she learned the
cause OF the injury, commenced to suck
the wound, and continued to suck it oil.
most constantly until 1 saw him, says
the child's physician, who reports tho
case, about an hour and o half after the
accident. At this time the hemorrhage,
which had been profuse at first, was
nearly arrested, and the wound had the
appearance OF having been boiled, from
the assiduous sucking it had received.
The child was pallid, apparently from
loss OF blood, which had been consider
able. Fright might havo contributed
somewhat to this condition. Ny first
impulse was to cautGlize tho wound,
but taking into account the hemorrhage
and tho faithful sucking it had received,
and wishing TO avoid any unnecessary
Disagreement that might result from
cauterization, decided to close the
wound by sutures. It healed kindly,
and in tho course OF three or four days
the last stitch was removed. I had
graver apprehepsions aboutthe abrasion
on the faco than about the wound in the
lip. Tho former. however, was go
slight that there was no oozing OF serum,
even. I bathed it with solution OF
carbolic acid, and flattered myself that
there would be no further trouble.
This belief was strengthened by the
fact that u policeman, who saw the acct.
dent, brought dog to the station
house, and assured tho mother that he
was the animal which bit tho child. /
was summoned to examine him, and
found him absolutely free from any evi.
dences OF rabies. as. he was n vagrant
cur, the sergeant Ind him shot. The
policeman was offered reward il he
could produce tho dog, aud lie, OF
course, claimed that this one was the
culprit. The child contiLued in good
health, with the exception OF eevers
attack OF remittent fever during the
summer, until the eighth OF November;
his mother noticed at this time that his
breathing was uunatural; later in the
day hc complained Of nausea, aud
vomited few times; saw him about
$50 p. ", the samo.day; on entering the
room I was struck by the peculiar ex-
preston Of his face; there was evident.
ly great physical depression, like that
produced by sufflse eruphons; the
pulse rs very rapid, $50 or more per
minute,and weak; temperature ono hun-
dred and one and one-hall degrees Ia
reinheit, respiration rapid, moro than
forty minnie, superficial and irregular,
with IN occasional deep signing, or
icrky inspirations. At the same time,
he would extend his head and open his
mouth as ii gasping for breath. His
eyes had very peculiar and indescrib-
able exDresSiOn-more of fear. nnrhn,1s
than anything else-anl when he smiled
his expression was frightful. II you caI
imagine smiling mouth beneath two
angry, malicious eyes, you have the pic
ture. a glass OF water ilissipated any
doubts I may have had III regard to
diagnosis by producing, US soon as it
touched his lips, terrific laryngcAl
spAsm, with loud outcries, and a cough
that resomblcd tho yelplike bark OF
our. 1t Is unnecessary for me to detail
the case further. Suffice it to say That
it followed the regular course Of similar
cases, aud hc died ut Inst from laryngeal
spusms, induced by attempting to swal-
low some water. For two hours prcYi.
Gus to this hr had been able to drink
without much difficulty. As regards
treatment. cau only say that il WEI
homeopathic. Ono OF the serpent pOis-
ons was given nj first for soyeral hours;
this was followed by bclladonna, md
finally hyosciamus was given. II is IN
necessary for no to add that tho result
OF tho treatment was negative.