The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-09-14
Bitten by a Bloodhound.
New York snn.1

/
John McKenna, aged sixty-six, stone
carver of 543 West Fifth-street, was in
his stable on June 9 last, and while there
one of his horses kicked ut large ST.
berian bloodhound that was owned by
Mr.. McKenna. The animal, which stood
three feet six inches on the four, aud
was large in proportion, was angered and
showed his teeth, exhibiting also dis
position to attack the horse. Mr.. Nc
Kenna seized club and tried to drive
the animal from the stable. 1t sprang
at him and bit him in the throat tear
| ing wound four and half inches in
length, and decorating an important
nerve. The dog was shortly afterward
killed, but not until four other men had
been bitten by it. Mr.. McKenna went
at once to a neighboring drug store,
where the wound was washed and dressed
with adhesive plaster, but was not
cauterized. 1t healed rapidly, leaving
a scar two and a half inches in length,
and no inconvenience resulting, the cir
cumstance was almost entirely forgotten.
Last Monday Mr.. McKenna COM
planned of pain in the head and was
nervously excited at the slightest noise.
He could hold nothing in his hands on
account of the violent spasmodic action
of the nerves. He also experienced great
deal of difficulty in swallowing water,
and when attempting to do so would
be seized with spasms, causing what
water he had taken TO be violently
elected. These symptoms continued to
increase until Tuesday, when DIR. Chas.
A. Leale, of 239 West Fifty-third-street,
his family physician, was called. He
says:
81 found Mr.. McKenna in a high state
of excitement; eyes restless and glaring
with fitful flashes. While holding his
pulse and listening to history Of his
case from his wife, he was suddenly
seized with violent spasm, causing him
to spring up and gasp in quick success
sion, just as healthy person would do
who had been suddenly deluged with
cold water In few seconds these
spasms ceased, and the patient fell back
exhausted. | was surprised ut these
sudden spasms, and inquired more par
ticularly into his case, especially as the
symptoms were very much like those of
hydrophobia. Having ascertained the
facts, | commenced a critical examina
ton of the patient. His pulse was l40
and internal temperature l034o. first
handed him glass of water, bidding
him drink it, He grasped it spasmodi-
eally, and attempted to drink it, but
could not do so. The attempt was fol-
lowed by violent spasms, the muscles of
his neck becoming drawn and contracted
and the lower jaw being systematically
thrown open and then closing with
snap. At the same time he was racked
with an hysterical catching of the
breath, producing a sound similar to
that of the bark of dog. After this
paroxysm was over | tried him with
milk The spasms returned, but not 80
violently, and he succeeded in swallow
ing small portion. After remaining
with him two hours he became quiet,
and was able to swallow little nourish-
ing food. / then went away, giving
directions to be sent for if the spasms
returned"
When Mr.. McKenna's sons, who had
been sent for, came home, they deter
mined to take their father to Roosevelt
Hospital. He was admitted there at
two p. M, Tuesday, and was placed un-
der the care of DIR. Church, who says
the patient exhibited all the symptoms
of hydrophobia A few hours after be-
ing received at the hospital he was
seized with violent spasms, requiring
the strength of four men to hold him
upon the cot. He was finally placed in
straight jacket, in order, said DIR.
Church, to prevent him from doing
bodily injury to himself, and to more
effectually quiet him. He could swal-
low no nourishment or medicine, and at
nine p. m. died.
The family say that they do not be-
lieve that their father died of hydro
phobia. They say that few days ago
he was hurt by some rufiiansin Eleventh
avenue, near Fifty-third-street, who
pulled sack of wood over his head,
bending him nearly double, and injur-
ing his spine.
Coroner Flanagan will make an in
vestigation.