The Indiana State sentinel., 1879-02-05
HORRORS OF DELIRIUM.
A Woman Dies from a Spiiz Dogs
Bite.
A Wound Received FOur Months Ago is
Burned With Causffc, but
Develops Into Hy.
drOphObfa.
lPAiladelphia Record. /

Mrs. Catharine German died last evening
about 8 o'clock of what is said to have been
violent attack of hydrophobla. Mrs. Cor
three children. and resided in a two-story
brick house, No. GIG Mifflin street.
On the 23d of las. October her grandson, a
child just able to toddle, was playing with
Sp1tz dog in an alley near her house. Sud-
denly the animal bit the child in the leg,
sinking his teeth deep into the flesh and
maintaining his hold. The boys screams
attracted the grandmother, and she attempt
ed to pull the dog OFF. She tugged away al
the vicious Spitz, until finally she succeeded.
An officer refused to shoot the dog, and
she therefore attempted to lead the dog into
the house, where she intended to retain it
until she could have it shot. Bat, while
dragging il along by the collar ii turned and
bit her on the little finger of the right hand,
between the first and second joint.
Both Mrs. German aud her grandson ct
once had the wounds burned with caustic, in
the hope of preventing the spread of the
poison. The wounds in both cases soon
healed, and caused no serious trouble until
last Wednesday, when Mrs. German COM
plslned of feeling i'll, but made no definite
complaint until night, when she began.to
suffer from paroxysms spasmodic contrac-
times she would suffer terribly.
On Thursday morning she attempted to
eat, but could not drink nor cat. The sight
of water became particularly offensive.
During Thursday she suffered at intervals
from the dreadful convulsions which were
brought about whenever the slightest breath
of air touched her face, even the touch of
the hand upon her face producing this re-
suit Still she continued to move around
the house, and, being strong. able-bodied
woman. would not call in a physician.
Oh Friday the disease developed itself
more clearly and the commissions became
more violent Food was more and more re-
puisive, but she continued to move about
the house, and would not admit that she was
seriously Ill. On Saturday she was coDsid-
erably weakened from the want OF food, and
was hardly able to rise from her bed. She
crawled out. no oxtver, and sli day continued
to complain OF a burning thirst, but could
not taste water or food.
The convulsion now became more fire. quent
and violent. and at night DR.. Sargent was
called in. The doctor left some medicine,
but the unfortunate woman WAS unable to
take more than one dose. The doctor called
again on Sunday morning. and then for the
first time was informed that the woman had
been bitten by dog. He treated her then for
hydrophobia.
The woman was now exhausted from the
want of nourishment, and her spasns were
aud required three men to hold her in bed.
After the convulsions had passed she be-
came perfectly rationale in her talk. and asked
the doctor the nature of her strange" dis
ease. After persistent efforts to avoid an
answer. the doctor expressed his opinion
/ frankly She was not the least disturbed a,
! the announcement, but quietly remarked:
| If must 20, hops l am prepared"
J Injections of morphia had the effect of re-
! lieving the woman's suffering. Sunday night
wss passed in terrible agony. and yesterday
morning her suffering increased. At Il
! o'clock, when the doctor called, be found
! her in a delirious condition. She struggled
/ desperately, and shouted, ''See the devils
/ the dogs crawling up my Leg" and begged
! that they be driven away. All Gay she con
| tinued III this condition. Toward night her
4 strength gave out, and she gradually sank
/ until she died at 40.
/ Mrs German was remarkably healthy and
I robust woman, and had not known days
/ sickness for ii years. She wss in the milk
/ business, and conducted the trade herself.
| On the coolest and most stormy days she
| could be seen driving her wagon aud han
ding the heavy milk cans with the ease of a
strong man. Her husband died six years ago
leaving her considerable property. She con
tnued to accumulate wealth, and leaves
! quite sum TO her children.