St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1885-08-15

once to a neighbor's and asked for a
horse. recount:ng hs adventure, and
insisted that he wanted and must have
medical aid at once. The neighbol
made light of the mans fears of hydro.
phobia, and absolutely refused to loan
his horse, Toelle was forced to remain
at home and await the coming of the
physician. When that gentleman came,
after much delay, he simply cauterized
the wounds of his patient. and, though
being informed full as to the changed
nature of the dog, his strange freaks
and actions. persistently assured Toelle
and his family that there was no cause
to fear hydrophobia.
A week passed away and the wounds
were rapidly healing. and at the end OF
two weeks Toelle was as well as ever
and pursuing his labors as usual. What
was the condition of the mans mind
now? believe from the moment he
had the terrible struggle with the dog
he felt convinced that the animal was
experiencing rabies. His friends argued
with him at length, endeavoring to re.
lieve him of the gnawing apprehension
that possessed him. He asked me the
evening of the 9th what thought as to
the dog being mad. l answered him
encouragingly, but. having known the
dog for long time. l was convinced
that there had been metamorphosis OF
his nature and disposition, and my
fears of rabies were very strong. |
urged every remedy. every prevention,
including the use Of the maidstone; for,
if the story of superstition. if You choose
to term it, should not be confirmed
when the stone should be applied. there
might, at least. come respite to the
poor mans troubled mind. A medical
work containing chapter on hydro
phobia was obtained and studiously
read by him; and he constantly showed
that he was in distressing despair.
the miseries that were to
fall on him.
THE DISEASE COMES ON.
No premonitory symptoms were felt,
however. until Thursday, MAY %, when
he complained of darting pains from
his hands to his arms. and an itching
and dull sensation about the places so
fearfully lacerated. But these passed
away. Monday. June l, he rode to
town with neighbor and frequently
caught and rubbed his hands and arms,
of darting pains that went
from his hands up his arms and met
between his shoulders. He also said he
felt chilly and remarked that he believed
that he was going to have chill. Re-
home he went upstairs and lay
down. Some time passed, and his wife,
going to the foot of the stairs, called to
him several times without a response.
She ascended the stairs and entered the
room. Toelle rose to sitting posture
and turned his back on her. She crossed
the room and found him crying bitterly
with his face buried in his hands. His
only reply to her question was: Il feel
that awful disease creeping over me. l
know l am going mad and shall die"
The day dragged on; the body was not
in pain, but for the mind the gloom of
night was come-a hopeless darkness
had settled there. He retired with the
others of his household.
The coming of Tuesday morning, June
?, ushered in the twenty-seventh day
from the time of the fearful
with the dog. At three O. clock
If that morning the deceased awoke in
. struggle for breath and called for
1rink. When his eyes fell on the water
handed him he instantly threw up his
lands with the exclamation. 'For Gods
'ake. take it away!" He became COM
,osed in a moment or so and rested
airly well until he arose. He COM
blamed considerably and vomited free
Y. The physician was sent for and
,ame in the forenoon. He was puzzled.
He said but little of anything. and moth
ng that was definite. He departed. but
n several hours returned, accompanied
~ another member of his profession.
They viewed the patient, said nothing,
lid nothing, and departed. The after
loon wore away. and the restlessness
md changed appearance of the man be-
,ame more perceptible.
FEARFUL PARoXYsMs.
And now we near the hour when the
lreadful poison in his system broke loose
Nth horrible violence. How can l de-
cribe the deep agony of that night.
when every nerve of the poor fellow
eemed pulled asunder. and the screams
hat accompanied each death-struggle
vere heartrending and distressing be-
'ond the power of language. At five
,'clock he sent for his nearest neighbor
0 come and prepare his will. He
vas entirely rational; dictated and
igned the document disposing of his
He gave rections about his
matters with noticeable clearness and
ninuteness. At seven o'clock he was
itting in a chair in his yard, with his
amily and several neighbors around
i'm. He complained of being cool. His
rife took small shawl and made the
notion to lay it over his shoulders.
hen came the first scream, and the tor
uring struggle that came at short in
ervals until two hours before his last
reath. He sprang from the chair and
nmped about violently. calling to those
to tie him. Ropes and straps
7ere quickly procured. and after seat
ng him he was securely fastened to .
rec. Every three or five minutes came
hose terrible screams. He was heard
ofS mile away. At the
anne time he would pant and struggle
$ though suffocating. splitting and
oughing incessantly. He was entirely
at onal and conscious. calling those
resent by name. and describing his
aims, except during paroxysms of
Orture. In An hour it was decided to
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