St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-03-14
M SYMPTOM IS NOW WANTED
TO COMPLETE THE MOST DEFINITE
DIAGNOSIS OF ACUTE HY-
DROPHOBIA.
HIS LIFE is IN THE BALANCE.
Physicians Now Weigh Feeley's
Chances With a Caution Born
OF Impending Danger.

rested by eX-PatrOlman Peter Feeley,
and which necessitated his removal
to the city hospital Thursday evening,
yesterday developed into an unmistak-
able case of the dread rabies. The
diagnosis Of Feeley's case is no longer
a question OF doubt, nor is he suffering
from lyssaphobia, which is the med
ical phrase for an exaggerated fear in
CURED by a person who has been bit
ten by an animal. Peter Feeley is mad,
and his probable death from the at
tendant agonies of hydrophobia is re-
garded as but a question of a few
days. Feeley was visited by his ply
sicians, Drs. e. H. Whitccmb and Ar
thur Sweeney, at 5 o'clock last even
ing. After an examination, Dr.. Sweeney
stated that he no longer had any hes
itancy in pronouncing Feeley's a gen.
uine case Of hydrophobia. When first
taken to the hospital there was al
question that the man had worked him
self into state of nervous excitement
bordering upon insanity, and, while suf-
fering horrible agony only imagined
himself to be a victim CT rabies. Ger
tain symptoms were absent which rem
of the case impossible. These symp-
toms yesterday made their appearance,
and confirmed what the physicians had
hoped against. that the unfortunate
patient was in reality in the throes of
rabies.
When taken to the hospital Feeley
was placed in a private room, and q
constant guard kept over him. All
night long he was attacked by re-
curing spasms, and was at times I'M
comfortable. AS when first attacked
by symptoms of the disease, the bare
sight of water threw Feeley into con-
vulsions, and he was unable to eat or
drink. During his rational moments
the man lay upon his bed moaning
piteously. Then, seized with a fit Of
hysteria, he would jump from the couch
and pace the floor in an excited man.
ner. Early yesterday morning Feeley
seemed to quiet down somewhat, and
obtained a little rest. The horrible
realization Of his condition, however,
never left him. While lying down he
perked about uneasily, and at times
would suddenly start up, only to drop
back to his pillow trembling with fear.
When DR.. Sweeney visited Feeley
yesterday morning he found the patient
in practically the same condition of the
previous night. At that time no new
symptoms Had made their appearance
Following the doctors visit Feeley
again began manifesting signs of fren-
zy. Throughout the entire day his ac-
lions We're those of a mad man. Hys-
te ria seized him at intervals and several
nhUSiPiQnS
of the opinion that he had become in
sane through an exaggerated fear Of
his condition. The pain in FeeIey'S
arm and in the region Of the heart in
creased during the afternoon, and
spasms in his throat became more fire.
quent. So utterly terror-stricken had
the sick man become that it was diff
cult to distinguish by his actions when
he was raving or when simply agoniz-
ed through fear. Part of the time was
spent by the patient crouching in the
corner Of his room, and part in tossing
wildly about upon the bed.
When Drs. Sweeney and Whitcomb
examined the man upon their later
visit, there was no longer a question in
their minds regarding his condition, and
as previously stated 1Dr. Sweeney an
nounced it as his opinion that Fecley
was suffering from a. well-defined case
Of rabies. %
In speaking of Feeleys case yester-
day, DR.. Whitc6mb stated that, not
withstanding the popular opinion to the
contrary, the present time Of year was
the most favorable to the development
of hydrophobia. The true origin of hy-
drophObia has never been definitely de-
termined, but that 1t is peculiarly a
disease of animals of the canine and
feline species is the decision of all med
ica1 authorities s"Tbe disease" said
DR.. Whitcomb, in the course of his con-
versation, sin a particular animal is
due to specific virus contained in the
saliva By means of a bite or scratch
there from an animal afflicted with
rabies, a human being or other animal
falls victim to the disease. The
germs of hydrOphobia may lie dormant
in dog for months, and finally become
developed to such an extent as to rem
der the animal mad. Under circum-
stances tending to excite or arouse the
dog hydrophobia is liable to make its
appearance.
AS a means of preventing the spread
of hydrophobia, DR.. Whitcomb is of
the opinion that at this time of year
| in particular, all female dogs should
| be kept in confinement.
In the opinion of DR.. Whitcomb, 1t is
| cruel to muZzle dogs generally. He
| does not consider it necessary or prac-
teal He is firm in the belief that il
the females are shut up a great deal
! of the danger from hydrophobia will
! be obviated.
! Asked late last evening how long
Feeley was likely to survive, DR.
! Sweeney remarked that it would be
purely an indulgence in prophecy to
answer.