Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-21
Charles E. Springmann Of This City
Develops the Dread Disease.
HIS PHYSICIANS ABANDON HOPE
The Patient is Unconscious of His
True Condition.
BITTEN SIX WEEKS AGO

Charles E. Springmann, nineteen years
of age son of Frederick Springmann, in the
express business at 935 d street northwest,
has well developed case of hydrophobia.
resulting from the bite of stray dog, re-
ceived about six weeks ago. The symp-
toms of the disease are all present, though
| the young man was not taken i'll until
Sunday. DR.. Milard F. Thompson, the
family physician, who is attending him and
who called in DR.. J. Taber Johnson for con-
sultatfon, has told the family that there
| is little or no chance of the patients re-
covery.
Young Springmann is at the residence
of his father No. 4O1 South Capitol street,
where all possible attention is being given
| him by his relatives, who are almost heart
broken over the terrible afiiiction. The pa
tient, who until a few hours ago was per-
fectly conscious, does not realize his con-
dition, which is pitiable in the extreme as
the physicians have been able to mitigate
his sufferings but little.
Unaware of His Danger.
The young mans throat is swollen which
led him to believe that he had simply con-
tracted heavy cold no idea having entered
his mind that he is afflicted with that most
dreaded disease and which causes the pa
t1ent untold suffering. 1t is with difficulty
he can relax his jaws. showing the insidious
progress of the disease. The sight of liquid
In any form drives him frantic and the
fatal convulsions which mark the end of
the disease have already set in. Young
Sprinsmann is terribly restless starting al
the slightest noise. He is not confined to
his bed at present, having SO far shown no
violence rendering this necessary but he
Is allowed the liberty of the ROOM His
restlessness is most marked. He reclines
on the bed a moment, springs to his feet
sits on the edge, and suddenly throws his
head back in a convulsion, gasping for
breath. while distressing means come from
between his partly clenched teeth For a
day or so he has been unable to talk with
members of the family, and has carried on
conversation with them by writing on slips
of paper. He has far shown no desire to
snap or bark at others, as is sometimes the
case with hydrophoba patients but his
frantic fear of anything in the shape of
water is one of the most evident symptoms
of the disease.
Eyes Are GInrfng.
His eyes glaring and blcodshot, and
his father states his desire to get outside
the chamber in which he is confined Is very
great. His mind, which was clear until
early this afternoon, has become clouded,
and the traits of the animal, without the
guiding brain of the patient afflicted with
hydrophobia, are exhibited. So nervous
and excitable has he become that if
and waves hand the air from it has the
effect of arousing and disturbing him.
The bites from which young Spring
mann contracted the disease were received
about six weeks ago on both hands. and
have healed. Springmann one Sunday
about that space of time ago, was seated
on the B. and T. R.R. tracks with a friend
or two from the road. While they were
seated there small dog, evidently astray,
came along. Springmann was petting it,
when 1t suddenly sank its fangs into his
left hand and then into his right. The
dog was driven away and as the wounds
healed nothing more was thought Of it.
The Symptoms Manifest.
The first symptoms of the disease were
noticed Sunday, when the young man COM
planned Of feeling languid. Monday morn
ing he had not had sleep enough and his
father states he was mildly scolded for
being lazy. Since then the symptoms have
become more marked.
Springmann was formerly in the timing
business, but has more lately been employ
ed with his father. His brothers in Balti-
more have been sent for, the patients
condition being regarded as so serious.