Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1877-12-14
CABOT'S CAT.
It's Bite Drives Him Crazy...An Ap.
parent Case Of HydrOphObia.

SprlnRHcId HcpHDlIcun.
The northeastern corner Of Hamp.
shire county is much exercised over the
sickness Of Elbridge f. Cabot, one Of
Enields selcctmen and best citizens,
the result Of cat-bite on the thumb.
received Sept 90. Mr.. Cabots sickness
il accompanied by the most violent at
tacks of insanity, and is likely to prove
fatal. The disease has some Of the
symptoms of hydrophobia, but whether
mania" resulting from morbid dwell
ling on the subject of hydrophoba, the
doctors who have watched the case de-
cline to say.
The cat that lit Mr.. Cabot had been
Il family pet for u long time, and there
is no direct proof that she was ever
bitten by mad dog, or showed any
of the usual symptoms of hydrophobia.
She pounced down on him from her
perch on Il bar-post one morning us he
was going to the barn, and bit him on
the thumb, which WAS taken into the
anlmalsi mouth up to the first joint
lie shook her off without difficulty, and
went about his work with little thought
Of the occurrences A day or two later,
a 5-year-old boy named Thayer, ward
Of Mr.. Cabots, was playing in the field
some distance from the house when
the same cat seized him Ivy the hand.
The lad also threw her OF, but she i'm
mediately laid hold Of his ankle 50
firmly that lie couldn't free himself.
Ills cries were heard by Il ncighbor II
quarter Of il mile of, who, when lie
reached the spot, was unable TO pull The
cat of, and had to Kill her III order to
dctach her from the boy The boy is
too young to suspect any danger, but
he has begun to complain within u few
days Of pains which run up the leg that
was bitten, and then down the arm on
that side Of his body. The attack
of the eat on him was generally noised
abroad, but Mr.. Cabot kept his own bite
- secret for some time. For eight weeks
his outward life was as usual, but those
who knew him best could see that he
appeared not little worried. AT the
beginning Of the present week he be-
gan 10 feel i'll, and on Wednesday after
noon consulted DR.. Thomas, of Belcher-
town. 1T first carefully avoiding any in
timation that hc thought hydrophobia
might be the trouble, supposing that
the DIR. hadn't heard Of his case. The
physician, however, was posted on the
cat-bitng accident, although he didn't
care to admit it, Finally Mr.. Cabot
asked the doctor if he discovered any
symptoms Of hydrophobia, and the
physician anwcrcd no, but that some
thing was making Mr.. Cabot very ner-
volls and he must tell him what il was.
Chloral was prescribed, and it kept MIR,
Cabot quiet for twcnty-four hours. till
Tuesday evening which is the only
medicine vet given the sick man. Dur
ing the day on Thursday Mr.. Cabots
symptoms, although indicating the
possibility Of hydrophobia. were not
especially pronounced, although he
could neither cat non drink.
Late on Thursday evening, when the
effect of the medicine had subsidized and
Mr.. Cabot was surrounded by II number
Of ncighhors, the patient began To rave.
lie first struck unsucccssfully for DIR.
Thompson, who sat in front of him on
the bed, and then began pounding DIR.
Townc and another man who were back
of him, rushed through one of the
back windows OF the house, taking
most Of it with him Once i'll the yard,
he tried to let loose the doctors horse,
but, finding the owner there before him,
he threw one lantern at the horses
head and the other ut the head of q
man who was trying to approach him.
A scrimmngc followed, in which nobody
n al,
ran into the house and locked all the
doors. A party cnsncd among the out
slderS, and Il messenger was sent to the
village for achievements, Then three
men were detailed to work at the back
door and us many at the front, and
both were forced, the six mon rushing
in rs nearly together rs possible. They
were provided with blanket to throw
over the patients head, 50 that he
might not bite, and they finally sue
ccedcd III binding him on the bed with
cords. Meanwhile hc WAS crying out
that they might kill him. which he said
Was what they were trying do. After
ward, when the doctor remarked TO
him that thcy were sorry to be com
PEELED to bind HIM lie replied. !" No
apology Is necessary Mr.. Cabot
camc out Of his frenzy before light yes
tcrdny, ana WAS quiet during the entire
day, The doctor pronounced him
wholly rational 1T noon, and i'll the AZ
tcrnoon he made his will, The cords
were removed and handouts placed on
4 his wrists, his ankles being confined
with straps. The doctor had TO argue
with him little to get him to accept
the handouts, but he finally did it vii
lingly. At last accounts the patient