Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-07-07
FROM PAsIEUR's RABBIT.
Firss InOculatiou in America 10 Pre-
vent HydrophObia-
New York Herald

First InoculatIOn In America 10 Pre-
vent HydrophObia-
New York Herald
For the first time in America inocu.
lation as a preventive Of hydrophobis
was performed yesterday, according to
the Pasteur method, by DR.. Valentine
Mott, at the Carnegie Laboratory, in east
Twenty-sixth street.
Harold Newell, seven years old, the
son Of DR.. j. C. Newell, of Jersey
City, was the subject Of the operation.
He was bitten by pet dog on June
oath.
Preparations had been making for
number of weeks past by DR.. Mott for
the application Of NJ. Pasteur's re-
nowned remedy, in which he was in
structed by the savant in person
during his recent visit to Paris. A
number of rabbits were treated success
sively with the virus procured from the
French laboratory, and finally DR.. Mott
obtained the inoculating matter Of the
required virility.
The boy was taken to the laboratory
by his father. lie is bright-eyed,
robust little fellow, and before treat
ment appeared happily unconcerned.
Upon his right shoulder is an ugly uu-
healed wound, the cicatrice left by the
teeth Of the yenomous dog. 1t has
been purposely kept open by daily ap-
plication of nitrate of silver, and was
cauterized and drained Immediately sf-
ter the wound was inflicted.
INJECTION OF THE VIRUS.
While the child waited patiently, OBJ
liyious of the manner Of the approach
ing application, DIR. Mott and DR.. F. A.
Baldwin, who assisted him, were in the
experimenting-rOom preparing the ne
cessary materials. There was nothing
to incite fear in the simple silver
mounted hypodermic syringe and small
glass vial that the operating physician
carried with him as he entered the cosy
visitors room where his youthful pa
tient awaited him, and the little fellow
smiled cheerily.
In addition to the two physicians
there were present DR.. A. F. Liautard,
V. S. N. d., and number OF repre-
sentatiyes of the press.
DR.. Newell placed his son upon sofa
and removed a portion of the child's
dress so as TO expose the abdomen. In
the mean time DR.. Mott filled the sy.
ringe with the precious virus and ap-
preached the laughing patient. While
the father held the boys shoulders DR..
Mott commenced the operation by max
ing two slight punctures. The patient
bore the first scratch brayely; in fact,
it was a complete surprise and took
him unawares. When the needle en-.
tored his flesh second time, however,
he gave vent to his dissatisfaction by
crying out plaintiyely. Before he could
realize it the needle was inserted about
three-fourths Of an inch under the skin,
and the liquid was successfully injected
and throughout the system the counter
acting poison was at work. Scarcely
any irritation of the skin was notice.
able so light was the puucture and so
quietly was the operation performed.
There, my little man." exclaimed
DR.. Mott, as he withdrew the instru.
ment, that did not hurt you, did it,"
THE OPERATION ACCOMPLISHED
The fact that the little patient cried
while the operation was being per-
formed is in no way indicative of any
careless use Of the instrument; for even
in NJ. Pasteur's laboratory, as well AZ
in ordinary hypodermic injections Of
morphia, men, women, and children
who are inoculsted are often known to
cry out at the slight scratch of the nee
die point. A Herald representative,
who assisted at several operations in
the Paris laboratory, was the witness
of numbers of outbursts Of emotion
from some oyer.neryous patients.
The importance Of the operation thst
is expected to protect Harold Newell
from an attack Of the terrible disease
that threatens his life is manifest. Be-
sides being the first application Of NJ.
Pasteur's discovery in this country, it
is indicative Of the confidence repOsed
in the savant's theory by Americans
and interesting to the medical profess
sion of this continent as local test Of
the remedy open to the observation Of
all.
TAKING ALL RESPONSIBILITY.
THE inoculations are TO be made
daily for fourteen days" SAID DR.. Mott
to the Herald reporter after the opera
ton. "There is absolutely no unplea-
SAINT sensation connected with the in
lection of the virus" he continued, re-
plying to the reporters question, sit
being in no way productive of fever. l
am quite confident Of the success Of the
remedy, and in order to show his con-
currence with my views DR.. Newell
has signed a declaration taking upon
himself all the responsibility of his
sons treatment by the Pasteur Ameri-
can Institute"
Both DR.. Mott and DR.. Newell seem
convinced that the dog Grover ." that
bit the child was affected with rabies
at the time. "There was softsning OF
the animals brain revealed by the ex-
animation which was made Immediately
after death, but no meningitis" said
DR.. Mott.
AS far as | am concerned" DR..
Newell remarked, !" feel sure that the
dog was mad. He gave every indica-
ton of rabies before he bit the child.
Ny son has experienced no bad effects
from the brute's attack, and is Of course
ignorant Of his danger"
Harold did not seem to relish DR..
Motifs parting admonition to be prompt
at the next visit, but being guaranteed
an unlimited supply Of fre-cracksrs he
eft the laboratory in happy frame OF
mind, having forgotten entirely the
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