San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-02-16
. Hydrophobia's Horrors.

The Springfield (Mass.) Republican,
gives the following particulars of the re-
cent fatal case of hydrophobia at Chico
pee in that State: ".. .,f.
Ashbel auckland, Of Chicopee, who
was bitten by vagrant dog November
20, is dead of hydrophobia. His mind
was clear until a few moments before
his death, when no said to his friends
that he "would show them how Chris
tian could die" His only regret at the
approach of death, as expressed to his
physician, was that sit seemed hard
that strong, we'll man should have to
go 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, but came from another room. The
noise, of boiling water, the use of the
words "water, drinking, or dog" caus-
ed severe commissions. Morphine in
large doses injected under the skin
proved of no value, and, as he could
swallow no liquid, medicine in that form
was, not tried. During Wednesday Mr..
auckland became more quiet, but in the
evening his throat and mouth filed with
frOthy mucous, so Us to cause
choking and efforts at vomiting
for relief. From this his
strength failed rapidly until death came,
apparently from exhaustion, the man
being worn out with want of rest, sleep,
and almost constant motion. The ef-
forts to clear his throat were followed
by great prostration, and convulsive
movements also became more frequent
in the last hours of life. During the
day he was seen by Drs. Carpenter and
Blodgett of Holyoke, Bartlett and Chap
man Of Chicopee, Smith of Indian Or
chard, and Thompson of Belchertown.
The physicians, without exception, pro-
nounced the case one of unquestionable
hydrophobia, 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
disease 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 oftener, giving at each
injection from one-fourth to one-third
grain, giving during the day upwards
of seven grains, sufficient, he thinks, to
thoroughly test its value. Mr.. auckland
expressed frequently his belief that the
medicine was doing him great good,
urged the doctor to use it very
freely, without fear, saying: 81 can on
ly die; / must die without this; it helps
me; feel that it may effect cure from
the relief it gives to these spasms."
This testimony, sustained by all the
friends who saw the sick man, enabled
the doctor to fully test the drug. TWAS
certainly used with nerve and courage
sufficient to prove the full service of the
medicine. The doctor thinks his ex-
perience in this case teaches him that
the cure for hydrophobia is not yet dis
covered, but that the use of curara has
been followed by such great relief in this
case, that he should certainly recon
mend its use in another case, if admin
stored 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
paralysis or unfavorable symptom trace
able to the drug. It requires nerve to
inject into mans blood every hour or
so a dose doubly sufficient to cause
paralysis and almost instant death in a
well man. The fortitude and restraint
by MIR. auckland astonished
all who saw him. The disease caused
intense agony to himself and friends,
and in his death the world has lost
good and valuable man. %"