The morning call., 1891-02-09
NOT HYDROPHOBIA.

A Coroner's Jury. summon ed to investl-
gate the cause of the death of Christopher
Buckley of San Fran cisco, who died on the
9th of January at ranch near Redding,
brought in verdict that the deceased died
of hydrophobia. The chances are that the
verdict was a blunder. Public attention
was attracted to it from the fact mat the
disease called hydrophobia has been un-
known on this Coast; careful perusal OF
the evidence creates the impression that the
Buckley case does not constitute an eXcep-
ton to the rule.
The man Buckley, who was Farmland,
was attacked on January oath with severe
headache, which grew worse on the follow
ing day. Toward evening he became dellr-
ious. In a lucid interval he expressed
wish to be treated by Chinese physician
residing in the neighborhood. Tie doctor
prescribed pills-of which The constituents
are unknown-and an oil for embroeation.
Under this treatment the patient grew
worse, the f.s of delirium succeeded each
other more rapidly, his groans app cared to
excited bystanders to resemble the bark of
a dog, and they satisfied themselves that
in his writings he was trying to bite HIM
self or some one else. Another doctor was
sent for, but before he came the man was
NNoN' nv iiJ ohSiHiiJ S9uiu'N Ny "Lob AS
was told, pronounced the case to be one
of hydrophobia, and in confirmation of
this view the story was started that Buck
ley had told some one that, three years age,
he had been bitten by mad dog.
1t is not absolutely impossible that the
poison Of rabies may lie dormant in the
system for three years. There are cases in
the books where years are said to have
elapsed between the bite and the outbreak
of the disease. But they are regarded with
suspicion. As a rule, if the disease does
not disclose itself within three months after
the patient has been bitten, the presump-
tons are against its ever breaking out.
Headache or frontal neuralgia Is not a
symptom of hydrophobia, nor is delirium.
But there are two symptoms which are in
variable, and which do not appear to have
appeared in Buckeyes case One is burn
ing thirst, which cannot be quenched, owing
to the difficulty OF swallowing, caused by
spasmodic action in the throat. And an
other is an extension this spasmodic action
to the whole muscular system. which pro-
duces general commissions and the rigidity
Of tetanus. The patient is in an agony for
want Of son citing TO drink, but the very
sight Of water plunges him into choking
paToxysm, which usually terminates in a
convulson. The specific action of the poison
OF rabies is in fact upon the muscular sys-
TEN in general, and especially upon the
muscles used in swallowing and breathing.
If Buckley had exhibited any such striking
symptoms as these, his attendants, who
faneied they heard him bark like dog and
try to bite himself and others, would Ger
tainly have observed and reported them.
1t is probable that the doctor who declared
that Buckley died of hydrophobia, and the
jury who so pronounced in their verdict,
were both mistaken. 1t may be affirmed as
confidently as ever that no authenticated
case of hydrophobia has occurred on this
Coast. The opinion of the best minds to-day
is that rabies among the lower animals is
not spontaneously developed, but arises
from the incubation Of the poison in the
mouth of diseased animal.