The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-23
DID lie HAVE HYDR0PH0BIA
DYING WITHOUTA STRUGGLE YET WITH
SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE
Young Mans Fatal Illness Two and n Half
Years after being Bitten by - Dog-QuIet-
Iy smoking his Pipe just Before his Death.


Iy Smoking his Pipe just Before his Death.
HARTFORD, June 22.-Two years and
n half ago large dog belonging to George
Rohrmeyer. dyer on Trumbul street. was at
tackled with rabies. 1t ran wildly through the
streets Of this city causing more fright and
greater sensation than had been witnessed
before in this city over tho antics OF a mad
dog. The animal FIRST bit Mr.. Rohrmeyer him
selfthen entered q blacksmith shop and attacked
John Ayres and colored man. both working
there. and having done this mischief ran into
Bushnell Park. and as he was crossing Trum-
bull street bridge snapped at little girl. and
caught in his teeth n glove she had on her
hand. tearing II of and carrying II along in his
mouth. but not even scratching the skin OF the
child. He thon struck a crooked route
through the city. biting several dogs
and ran. finally. two or threo miles
into the country toward the Blue Hills road
and attacked several more dogs. and. retracinR
his steps. came to tho city again and was fol-
lowed into Pearl street by policemen and Others
several shots being flrod at him without effect
and at last he got into a tenement block. where
he was killed with an axe. All the persons Bit
ten had their wounds cauterized as quickly as
possible. The colored man was more frightened
Than the others. and to drown his troubles he
began drinking poor whiskey to excess and not
long nuerWnrd died in the hospital OF dOlirlum
tremens The others got along apparently all
right and the dogs raid had become so much q
thing Of the past that most people had forgot
On Thursday Of last week Mr.. Ayres m6t Dr.
y W. Ellsworth In tho street, md complained
OF not feeling well. A prescription was given
him. and nothing more was seen OF him by the
Doctor until Saturday morning, when he went
TO the Doctors office. and said that he was
strangely nnlicted that he could not swallow
water; that the sight Of II. even drop upon his
hand. sent him almost into spasms. DR.. Ellis
years and half ago as to his patient. but he
:" Have you been bitten by dog within the
Mr.. Ayres said he had not boen. but that more
than year AGO no received bite. He showed
forefnger and thumb on his right hand. There
WIS no evidence OF any wound there. Many
times In cases OF hydrophobia a wound will
break out afrcsh when an attack OF tho disease
comes on. Without alarming his patient tho
Doctor told him to 90 home and remain quiet
and ho would see him again. The man was
given chloral that night and he slept fairly we'll.
on saturday he was about the same. and that
night when seen by the Doctor appeared TO be
easy and comfortable: but DR.. Ellsworth was
| fully satisfied then that he would die. though
| there was an expectation that the symptoms Of
| the disease would become more marked-that
there would be convulsions and the usual
painful exhibitions which attend this dreaded
disease; As other physicians heard OF the case
| they called to see Mr.. Ayres and great interest
| was manifested in II because OF It's peculiar
characteristics. Commissions were expected
y
| nounced case Of hydrophobia no one doubts
md yet all were struck with Its singular
progress. The man was very thirsty, but
water he could not swallow, or see. How.
| ever. he managed on Sunday TO eat
toast dipped In tea. which relieved his
thirst somewhat; then, 70 the surprise Of
| all. he became able to drink n little tea and
| To- take ale and small dose Of brandy. All
| this while there were no signs OF mental dis
| trrss the man had his full reason: no convul-
sions had appeared yet it was manifest that
his Lhysical strength was gradually waning.
| On Wednesday night he took some nourish-
| ment and smoked pipe. This was another
| surprise to the doctors In n case OF hydropho-
| hia. where all were satisfied that death would
| be- the result.
On Thursday morning the evidences OF weak
ness were more distinctly disclosed the man 5
consciousness was gradually fading away; and
AT 10 O'Clock he ccHsed TO breathe. dying Ms Qui-
etly and serenrly ~ If he had boon brought 10
his drHthhed 10y some lingering disease.
II Is an exceptional not to sny pu2Zling. case.
Considering the lapse of time since the man WAS
bitten. the extreme care TINT was taken in cau-
teri2ing his wound, the tact that he had never.
SO lar NJ T. known shown any particular un-
business regarding the hlte. together with all
! the circumstances attending his Illness and
death. IL affords "a case OF peculiar interest.