Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-06
Frothed Like a Mad Dog,
THE AWFUL SUFFERING AND STRANGE CURE
DAVID BARKEY.

DAVID BARKEY.
Wooster, Ohio, Special to the New York World
David Barkey, eleven years old. a son of q
well-to-do farmer living northeast of this place,
has just recovered from hydrophobia, and
aconite, hydrate of chloral and salicylate Of
soda were the means of saving his life. Feb
ruary 10 the boy complained of feeling unwell
His entire muscular system appeared to be
affected with a soreness that could not be
accounted for. A physician was called in and
diagnosed the ailment as muscular rheumatism
for which the patient was treated The
treatment which is generally used in such
cases was apparently effective. About ten
days later the boys condition took another
turn and other physicians were called in for con-
sultation. The patient would pant like a dog
stick out his tongue, froth at the mouth and
simulate the growl and bark of a cross canine
The paroxysms would continue for about twenty
minutes or half an hour, and then he would
SINK INTO semi-paralytic state, from which he
would rouse up soon afterward feeling appar-
emily well. On the day the consultation was
held by the physicians the patient experienced
hive paroXysms.
When water was sprinkled in the boys face
he would experience paroxysm and bark and
growl, and snap at and attempt to bite persons
around him. The disease was then pronounced
hydrophobia, and the infection was said to
have come from the family dog. which had
been shot several years ago on account of mani
Testing signs of madness. About eight years
ago young Barkey, then two and one-half years
OF age, was bitten through the upper lip by
this dog. Last fall the boy was bitten
by neighbours dog, which, after the
boys malady became known, was killed,
examined and pronounced healthy. The
physicians traced the rabies to the first
dog, but did not claim il was caused by the bite
through the lip. The dog had what is known
as the dumb or paralytic rabies, and the sup
position Is that after or between his paralytic
attacks he licked a sore on the boys hand or
body and thus transmitted the poison. As soon
as the disease was known young Barley was
bound to his bed and mittens of heavy cloth
were placed over his hands, and his arms bound
in flannel to prevent him from biting himself
The paroxysms were generally experienced
about noon.
The boy appeared to be possessed of SUPER
human strength. 1t required two men to hold
his arms back. His attendants were provided
with thick gloves, and during one of his par
oxysms the patient managed to get his father
gloved hand in his mouth and bite through the
glove to the skin, but did not bring blood.
Another attendants gloved hand was bitten
until the ends of his fingers became black and
blue. In order to appease the boys anxiety to
bits pillows and thick pieces Of cloth were
thrust into his mouth. He would close his
! teeth firmly on them and his CLASSY eyes would
dllate in horrible manner.
The attending physician looked upon hydr O.
phobia as an affection of the nerves. He also
thought that poison was self-limiting; SO he de-
cided to endeavor to keep the boy alive until
the action Of the poison was spent Large
doses of fluid extract Of aconite were prescribed
with view to bunting or partially paralyzing
the sensuary nerves. In order to produce
sleep large doses Of hydrate Of choral were
administered. Thinking the poison depended
on ferment for its action the physician gave
the patient salicylate OF soda in large doses.
This treatment was resorted to to bridge the
case over until the poison had spent ITSELF
Satisfactory results were soon manifest The
paroxysms became less frequent and less
severe, and after one week the boy was no
longer afflicted with them. He has not ex-
perienced any commissions for several weeks,
and his physician has pronounced him out Of
danger.
When seen to-day he was sitting up in bed
and looking quite well. His voice Is q little
husky and his limbs, from his knees down, are
partially paralyzed, which is said to be a result
of the effect Of the strong medicines admins
tered to him. This paralysis is expected to
wear of, and it is quite certain the boy will be
around again before long. One peculiarly Of
his present condition is his sensitiveness TO
touch. He 10 in fear of being handled, al
though he touches himself without any sign Of
discomforture. His mind does not appear to
have been impaired by his Illness