The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-06-12
INDIFFERENCE To RABIES.
Because Powders. Instructions. and Faith
Have Cured.


In the counties OF Bergen and Passaic. In
the State Of New Jersey. they say that the
shadow OF the Ramapos makes all dogs mad.
although the hills are unassuming in their
height and length and without the slightest
indication OF any mystic or baleful influence.
Nevertheless. in tho counties that can be seen
from their tops. more dogs 90 mad. as the say
ing is. In one year than in any other locality Of
similar size in three years: but the people
who live there care no longer to solve the mys-
terry OF the widespread madness: they know It
exists. and they have perfect faith In cer-
tain cure for the bites OF tho most rabid dogs
The indifference Of the residents to rabid
dogs dates from the day that Davo Reeve.
after months absence. returned homo laden
with mysterious bundles and boxes. That was
nearly fifty years ago, and to this day no one
knows where he was during that MONTH Some
said he was out West visiting the chiefs Of an
Indian tribe. others that he had gone to the
dark swamps OF Southern lands. while some
maintained always that he had remained In
his room experimenting In herbs and minerals
and mysterious nondescript products OF the
earth and the sea.
Dave Reeve to his dying day never told
soul whore he had been. All no said was
Boys. I've got dead sure cure for hydro
phoby. Y'nll know what q pesky lot O. mad
dorgs there be runnin' around loose. Well,
now. I've found the thing. an re needn't be
askeert ny more. Jest come to me eff ye get
bit. nd I'll fix We right up"
In tho thirty five years that followed nearly
500 persons who had boon bitten by dogs came
to him and paid him So for his treatment.
Four Of them died. 1t is said. because they
broke two OF the rules which he laid down for
every patient. Tho rest. according to the
chronicles Of the neiehborhood lived.
Dave Reeves remedy. good as 1t was. could
not cure old age and weakness. and one day.
fifteen years ago this very month"; the old man
took to his bed and died. But before he went
out into the great mystery he confded to his
son. Israel. the secret Of his remedy and told
him to guard 1t jealousy. and in his old age to
bequeath 1t to his children. Ever since then
Israel c. Reeve has cured tho dog bitten resi-
dents OF the Ramapo region Just as his father
did. with the difference only that no charges
so instead Of So.
1t is difficult to gather in the neghborhood
any definite information in regard to rabd
dogs and how Israel Reeve cures hydropho-
ba. Tho first man who was questioned. tho
driver OF rickety wagon. said: Well it's
purity hard tor tell why the damned critters 60
mad. There's q torble pilo o dogs in these
parts, nd there ain ain no ono ter look after en-.
SEE L., 'Jem. there,.d orter be a sort
O. mad dog commiss'ner round these
tcm. he didn't think it was q half had idea.
the dogs get kinder risky nd % about Sitin
s t 1ss nH% SH, RsSFs
Jest skip ter Icy Reeves as fast as We could
Who IS this Mr.; Reeve'"
mister. he's thor greatest man on hydrophoG":
then he , tx up the old mans cure Nobody
wnfr tho %1n H hy tho d
ter sra yg Ra works I rowerful hard
the Eamapos, His house is small White
painted wooden structure. surrounded 10y
back from the road hut he does not attend to
himself ,e 81 a. owns horses and carriages and
to see him usually tcesreph V or send send word
the reporter Knocked at the door small. blue.
His eyes sparkied with shrewdness and intel.
He %ks the visitor int fur
10y Sf e be xGw be aGs Pate
t nn and every one else all clean to pieces.
tSsS d s e sHTs sSs ms
and lasteur Seoi II a person is bitten by a
lows my directions he will never, have hydro
EhESb That AL sHe him. him aat rSCws He
he's ali right. seeY My father ei:u cured Tei
sddr sSS lost I've but treated ao 4 500
SSt 81 hsa ded pS 81 dFsr{K Sass
letters I've been getting up OF late. wrote
to my patients and asked what they thought
handed the reporter ski six letters em. Of which
this is u fair sample:
1,,. g.. o., ,.r,,,r -, LlscotS Pax. Jan: 90. 1892.
;s e t:;i S
cured ali hyaro
phobia A. V. ZELIrr
so. you see, Mr.. Reeve continued. its
}Ie held 9ut a n hex containing red powder
oefea sxst IKE red and had the
is in the making Of this powder. No one knows
it but myself and my wife and daughter, l
got It FROM my father. but never knew where
THE nSId people around here say he got it from
- The people around here say great many
things. He never told mo where no got it.
a9ys ni afraid has going tH hqYs hydro
der and these directions:
Take teaspoonful of the powder mixed In m oasses
on an smp'y stomach each morning Tor min. morn:
eat or drink anything. Must not eat any grease,
pepper or salt. Butermilk pop Cruel bread tail
without .alt and m1lssses Il the diet Warm weak
smoke or take snnf or use any sprituous liquors get
wet or in perspiratlon for three after taking
medicine. Wash In warm water for the nine days
IL. C. REKvE.
"All those directions" Mr.. Reeve said, ARE
worry important OF course l can't explain |
Just why. as that might give away the whole |
Them. There was a couple down to DenvilIe
by the pane OF Diekerson. who were bitten by |
to me and gave them the powder and tho di. |
rections. They both got along all right for
Ii" 60 ;, Of glasses Of beer. Tho next
wife followed the regulations. and she ia
living today; The only other case lost was
, little girl who was bitten. She was an orphan |
md nobody cared much for her. After gave
lor the medicine there was no ono to look az
er her and give her the right diet She walked
round r9 barefoot s and got Into a PRECIPITATION
'ulsions Just before she died and She loaned
1t the mouth.
The trouble with many people Is that they
INT careful enough. Those who wait until