Daily Republican., 1880-01-17

Not until few days past has there
been any apprehension felt for the safe
" Of Mr.. Richard Alexander, who, as
it will be remembered, was bitten on
the cheek by a mad dog just six weeks
ago. He has all along been quite cheer
full, and had fully made up his mind
that the dog did not have the rabies.
He b as been feeling rather i'll for a
week, but did not regard this feeling
as tge result of the bite. Yesterday,
however, hs complained Of an itching
sensation around the spot where he
was bitten, and also of pain in his
right ear. These were the premonitory
symptoms of what was TO follow, and
during the day or evening, | could not
learn which, one convulsion after an
other followed in quick succession, and
his sutferings were really horrible.
To-day the convulsions have been
more frequent, and his screams
and groaps would strike terror to the
stoutest heart. The attending physi-
clan is DR.. Mitchell, who called in
Drs. Dunlap and Belyille of this town,
and DR.. Black of New Castle, who are
doing all for the sufferer that human
skill can devise, but they express no
hope for the unfortunate mans recov-
cry. He is now lying in an uncoL-
scious state, and the physicians propose
to keep him so. Previous to the con-
vulsions coming on Mr.. Alexander stat
ed to his wife that if he had the h.
drophobia, he was ready to 60, which is
consolation to his wife, and relatives,
and friends. The house is filed COL
tinually with anxious and sympathiz,
ing friends, none of whom, however,
ars permitted to enter the sick mans
room, except those who are called in to
aid the physicians.
The heart rending and agonizing
cries of Mr.. AS devoted wife, as she
wrings her hands and cries "Must !
part with Richard must | give him
up'" causes tears to course down the
cheeks of many a stout heart who calls
in to condole with her. In his lucid
intervals, Mr.. A. had himself given up
all hopes of recovery. Unless there shall
be an unforeseen change takes place, he
cannot last much longer. A gloom is
cast over all the people of our town, as
Mr.. A. is a young man very highly re-
spected, and to know him was to love
him for his many. noble traits Of char
acter.
THE VICTIM EXPIRES.
Tel gram to the Republican.
DELAWARE CITY, Jan. l6, $50 A. NJ.
Richard Alexander died at eleven
thirty last night. Interment on Tue
day. }. C.
THE TREATMENT PURSUED.
From to-day's "Times."
Chloroform was resorted to and the
patient was kept under its influence
as much as possible. The spasms be-
came frequent and terribly violent before
his death, and it was found necessary
to tie him for the first time. Even yet
between his spasms he implored a
speedier death and spoke comforting
words to his relatives, who surrounded
his bedside. Woorara, the war arrow
poison of South American Indians. was
tried as the last remedy. A quarter Of
a grain injected under the skin pro-
duced happy results at first. 1t was
administered every half hour hour un.
til it was found to aggravate rather
than alleviate his symptoms.
Since then chloroform has been relied
upon, and at this writing it is hoped
tnat his agonies will soon be- over. The
event has thrown gloom over the en-
tire community. Business has been sus-
pended to-day and the only conversa-
tion has been expressions of wonder at
the fortitude with which he bore his {
terrible condition and sympathy for
his wife and three young children. His ,
brother, between whom and himself !
the warmest affection existed, is pros
trated with grief.
THE FATAL BITE.
1t was early in December that Mr.. ,
Alexander received the wound which is '
the cause of his terrible agony. A
strange hound appeared in the streets s
one evening about dusk. His move :
ments were partly hidden by the dark
ness, but an unusual number of dog #
fights were noticed, and the strange :
dog went from street to street attacking I,
every dog that crossed his path. Rich a
ard Alexander was nursing pet dog ]
on a. bench in front of his house, which "
is near the rivers edge. The hound,
whose muzzle and shoulders were Gov
cred with bloody foam, made straight
at him, and, before he had chance to a
defend himself, sank its fangs in his n
cheek and mouth. O.
The maddened brute bestowed part r,
ing snap upon the pet dog and resumed )
its way through the streets. The dog, N
save in its soldering mouth and blood X
shot eyes, seemed well enough, and a
certainly ran with steady gait. Pass =, q
ing through the main street of the town A,
the beast crossed the bridge over the IA
and Delaware Canal ard %
little further on bit two valuable set OF
ters, with which pot. hunter named Il
armstrong was returning from shoot ol
ing expedition, The rabid brute con
tinued on his way, biting dogs ard bor- G
'4s, until at the lighthouse, four miles
from here, Benjamin Denny shot him
before he had a chance to do further A
damage.
1t was nearly week before Mr.. Al A
pxander realized that the dog was mad
and t g consequent danger that he was v
in. Then he tried various remedies,
among them cautery, and as a last re- IL
source a remedy which, according to an n n
old Delaware traction, is specific,
which coDsists of an infusion OF elecam-
pane root with new milk, and, accord 4
Ing to tradition, had never failed, even y