The daily gazette., 1880-01-17
THIRD EDITION
The Bite OF a Mad Dog.

THE HORRORS OF HyDRoPHoBlA-A
YOUNG MAN IN DELAWARE CITY
SEIZED WITH THE DREAD MALADY,
AFTER FoRTY-FoUR DAYS.
In the early part OF December the GA
zRxTE published an account OF sup
posed mad dog that was first seen in New
Castle in the early morning and, after
ward, ran from there TO Delaware City,
biting all the dogs and other animals
that came in its way, and finally bltlng
Richard G.. Alexander, as he sat on his
front steps in Delaware City nursing a
pet dog. Mr.. Alexander was seized by
hydrophobia few days ago, the symp-
toms first showing themselves last Sun
day and Monday. He was bitten just
forty-four days ago. At no tiBe up to
the day of his seizure has he doubted
but that he would die from the disease.
Ihe first symptoms were pain in the
back and palpitatiOn of the heart which
he attributed 10 torpid liver.
Thursday morning, when he attempt
ed to wash, on arising, he felt an invnc-
ible aversion to touching the water. He
remarked this to his wife, who soothing
ly said it was probably because the
water was cold, and that she would
bring him warm water. This being
brought, Alexander was still unable TO
dip his hands into it, and at the break
fast table could not drink his coffee, al
though he contrived to make fair meal
otherwise, He still resolutely refused to
believe himself i'll or to consent to have
a doctor. His wife, however, summoned
DIR. Mitchell. On seeing the physician
tho r,afiapf oaan,ad warn r,uab annnvau
alt is nothing worth troubling about.
The only trouble is that l want to
sneeze all the time and can't do it," he
said.
TINS the doctor took for very uDfa-
vorable symptom, ina much as the faugs
of the dog tore the cartilage of his nose,
and it is u well known fact in thehistury
Of such cases that the first sign of the
malady is morbid sensation in thewound
ed spot. Strong anodynes of morphia
bromide of potash and ehloral were pre-
sented, but the patient was anable to
swallow them. The sight of liquid caus-
ed spasm that he could not repress. BY
blindfolding him be was unabled to
swallow half dose and three or four
small potlons were so admins cred. To-
wards evening the tirst CONFUSION su-
pervened. 1t was very violent and was
accompanied by swapping jaws and
frothing at the mouth. Wnen he recov-
cred from this attack he begged piteous-
Iy to be put out of his misery and warn
ed those near him to keep away lest he
should bite them.
Meanwhile. Doctor Dunlap aud Bell
vile mad been called in consultation and
had been unaDimons shat the disease
was hydrophoDia. Doctor John J Black
OF New Castle, was also summoned and
concurred in the opinion. Chloroform
was resorted to and the patient was
kept under Its influence as much as pos
sible. The spAsms became frequent and
terribly violent yesterday morning and
It was found necessary to tie hun for the
first time. Even yet between his spssms
he implored speedier death'and spoke
comforting words to his relatives. who
war arrow poison of South American
Indians, was tried as the last remedy. A
quarter of grain injected under the
skin produced happy results OF first. II
was administered every half hour until
d. was found TO aggregate rather than
alleviate his symptoms. Chloroform was
relied upon. The event has thrown a
gloom over the entire community. Bust.
ness has heen suspended and the only
conversation has been expression Of
wonder at the tortitude with which he
bore his terrible condition and sympa-
thy for his wife and three young chIl-
dren. His brother, between whom and
himself the warmest affection exist -d, is
prostrated with grief Mr.. Alexander's
condition last night has not bsen learn
ed.