The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-07-31
Death from HydrOphObia.

Christian MuentZ, III Fry street, died
OF hydrophobia on Thursday. A visit
70 DR.. G. NJ. Emrick, who attended the
patient during his brief illness, elected
the following interesting facts. The
man was bitten ninety-four days prior
to his death by small dog which he
owned. The wound was q slight one
on the fingers of the right hand, being
nothing more than a scratch, and all
signs of it had disappeared long prior
to his death. The wound was so Slight,
indeed, that Muentz and his family
PAID no attention to it, and up to the
ume OF his attack and the calling of
medical assistance they had no idea of
the nature of the disease. For few
days prior to his death he felt a little
depressed and sluggish. Wednesday,
while drinking glass of beer, he be-
gan to feel a repugnance to the
nuld that was quite unaccountable,
and from that time the disease
rapidly developed itself. He managed
to work all that day, but in the even
ing, when he returned home, he COM
planned OF a difficulty in swallowing.
He also had q few spasms. On the
morning of the day of his death
Thursday-he took two tablespoonfuls
of broth, which was the last nourish-
ment of any kind that passed his lips.
Water was so repugnant to him that
he was entirely unable to swallow it,
and the mention of it caused spasms.
DIR. Emrick was not called in until
1890 p. m. Thursday. Muentz was
then in such nervous condition that
any noise startled him, and the Doc
tor was obliged to approach him very
quietly.
He had not been in the presence of
the man five minutes before he de-
clared the patient was suffering from
unmistakable symptoms of hydropho-
bia. 1t was not until then that the
family recollected the circumstances of
the slight wound some three months
previous. At this time his mind was
clear, and he complained of no pain
whatever. He had slight fever, his
pulse was natural, but the temperature
Of his body was several degrees higher
than was natural.
The doctor prescribed q solution of
hydrate of choral, but he could not in
duce the patient to take it. He then
resorted to a hypodermic injection of
curare, using about half a grain for
three injections. The physician left
him, and did not return until three
o'clock, at which time he had become
very violent. He was jumping about
the room in spite of the efforts of six
men to control him. A thick mucus
came from his mouth, which he was
continually trying to brush away with
his hands. At seven o'clock he had
become so violent that the attendants
gave up all efforts at controlling him.
He had retained consciousness up to
this time, but after that he only en-
joyed brief intervals of consciousness.
He complained of pain at the base of
the brain and in his ears. Finally, at
1:40 o'clock, he became completely ex-
hausted, and incapable of any more
physical exertion, and death ensued,
putting an end to his terrible sufferings.
The physicians pronounce the disease
incurable, but one instance being re-
corded in the books of recovery. The
hypodermic syringe was resorted to in
that case, and the remedy administered
was three grains of curare- sufficient
w O0uSV tuO uCdU4 Va a pOASOu LII OAul-
nary health.
Horore Alexander, a boy aged seven
years, residing at No. 3O4 Ohio street.
was terribly bitten in the nose by the
same beast, on the same day that
Muentz was wounded. The frightened
mother had the wound Immediately
cauterized, and thus far no symptoms
of disease have made their appearance.
Oscar johnson, thirteen years of age,
residing on Chicago avenue, at the in
tersection of Smell street, was also bit
ten by the same animal. The dog
fastened his teeth in the leg of the
child, and would not let 60 until Sc
verely beaten and pulled away. The
boys wounds were dressed by a sur
geon, and though long time in recov-
ering, no symptoms Of hydrophobia
have yet manifested themselves. The
dog was finally shot by policeman
after having done all this damage.
Chicago Tribune, July 10.