The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-06-27
The Hydre,hobia Gees.

Inc HyQropooo0 Gases
Ashbul Bucklaad Of Chicopee, who
was bitten by . vagrant dog November
Is, died last week Of hydrophobia. His
mind was clear until few moments be-
fore his death, when he said to his
friends that he 'swould show them how
Christian could die" His only regret
at the approach of death, as expressed
to his physician, was that cit seemed
hard that strong, well man should have
to 60 for dog.
The hot vapor was tried in this case
and discontinued, because the moisture
caused commissions, and the sick man
entreated his friends to stop it. The
vapor was not let directly upon his per-
son, bnt came from another room. The
noise ofboiling water, the use Of the
words "watsr. drinking, OF dog" caused
severe convulsions. 4oephine in largo
doses injected snder the skin proved Of
no value, and, = = eosl6 swallow no
liquid, medicine ID that form WAS not
tried. During Wednesday Mr.. Buck.
land became moro quiet, but in the eve
ming his throat and mouth filled with
frothy mucous, so as TO cause choking
and efforts at vomiting for relief. From
this his strength failed rapidly till death
came, apparently from exhaustion, the
man being worn oct with want of rest
sleep, and almost constant motion. The
efforts to clear his throat were followed
by great prostration, and convulsive
movements also became moro frequent
during the last hours of life. During
the day he was seen by Drs. Carpenter
and Blodgett of Holyoke, Bartlett and
Chapman of Chicopee. Smith Of Indian
Orchard, and Thompson of Belchertown.
These physicians, without exception,
pronounced the case one of unquestion-
able hydrophObla, and concur:with DIR.
Smith in the opinion that the treatment
by curara offered the best hope of any
remedy. The family, attendants, and
all who watched the progress of the dis
ease are convinced that the effects of this
drug were most favorable, keeping the
patient more quiet, and relieving the
disease of many of its terrors. Dr..
Smith injected the drug under the skin
every hour and oftner, giving at each
injection from one-fourtb to one-third
grain, giving during the day upwards Of
seven grains, sufficient, he thinks, to
thoroughly test its value. Mr.. Buck.
land expressed frequently his belief that
the medicine was doing him great good,
urged the doctor to use it very freely,
saying: 81 can only die; l must die
without this; it helps me feel that it
may effect o cure from tho relief it gives
to these spasms." This testimony, sus-
tanned by all the friends who saw the
sick man, enabled the doctor to fully
test the drug. 1t was certainly used with
nerve and courage sufficient to prove
the full service OF the medicine. The
doctor thinks his experience in this case
teaches him that the cure for hydropho-
bia is not yet discovered, but the use Of
curara has been followed by such great
relief in this case, that he should certain. |
administered by an intelligent physician |
who could be on the ground constantly
to carefully watch its effects. The relief
in this case was certainly very great, and |
the remedy was followed by no paraly.
sis or unfavorablo symptom traceable
to the drug. 1t requires nerve to inject
into mans blood every hour or so q
dose doubly sufficient to cause paralysis
and almost instant death in a we'll man.
The fortitude and restraint manifested
by Mr.. auckland astonished all who saw
him. The disease caused intense agony
10 himself and friends, and in his death
The world has lost good and valuable
man.
1t is curious Tact about the dog law
hat injury to property or animals may
Do paid for out of the dog-fund, but it
provides no remuneration tor Injury to
! human being. Ashbel Buckland was
aid up two or three weeks by the injury
o his hand after it was bitten by the
'abid dog, aud he applied to the select
men for compensation out of the dog
'und for his injury, but was told that the
aw gave him nothing, but that if the
log had torn clothing instead OF flesh, or
lad injured hen even, they could pay
lin well for it. Mr.. White of Ludlow
'eceives pay for his cattle that died by
he disease, but Mr.. Buckland's family
an obtain nothing for their terrible
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