The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1885-09-19

after much delay, he simply cauterized
the wounds of his patient, and. though
being informed fully 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 a 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.
antedating the miseries that were to
| fall on him.
THE DISEASE COMES ON.
however. until Thursday, May 20, when
he complained of darting pains from
his hands to his arms. and an itching
and duh sensation about the places so
fearfully lacerated. But these passed
away. Monday. June 1. he rode to
town with neighbor and frequently
caught and rubbed his hands and arms,
complaining of darling 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-
turning 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 response.
She assembled the stairs and entered the
| room. Toelle rose to a 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: II feel
that awful disease creeping over me. l
know am going mad and shall de-"
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
2. ushered in the twenty-seventh day
counting from the time of the fearful
encounter with the dog. Atthree clock
of that morning the deceased awoke in
struggle for breath and called for
drink. When his eyes fell on the water
handed him he instantly threw up his
hands with the exclamation. "For Gods
sake. take it awayr He became COM
posed in q moment or SO and rested
fairly well until he arose. He CON-
planned considerably and vomited free
ly. The physician was sent for and
came in the forenoon. He was puzzled.
He said but little of anything. and moth
ing that was definite. He departed. but
in several hours returned. accompanied
by another member of his profession.
They viewed the patient. said nothing.
did nothing, and departed. The after
noon wore away, and the restlessness
and changed appearance of the man be-
came more perceptible.
FEARFUL PARoxYsMs.
And now we near the hour when the
dreadful poison in his system broke loose
with horrible violence. How can de-
scribe the deep agony of that night,
when every nerve of the poor fellow
seemed pulled asunder, and the screams
that accompanied each death-struggle
were heartrending and distressing be-
yond the power Of language At five
o'clock he sent for his nearest neighbor
to come and prepare his will. He
was entirely rational; dictated and
signed the document disposing of his
property. He gave directions about his
matters with noticeable clearness and
minuteness. At seven o'clock he was
sitting in chair in his yard, with his
family and several neighbors around
him. He complained of being cool. His
wife took small shawl and made the
motion to lay it over his shoulders
Then came the first scream. and the tor
turing struggle that came at short in
tervals until two hours before his last
breath. He sprang from the chair and
jumped about violently. calling to those
present to tie him. Ropes and straps
were quickly procured. and after seat
ing him he was securely fastened to q
tree. Every three or five minutes came