The evening times., 1899-07-29
CAPTAIN BocKHovENs pAnas.
Dying From HydrOPhObia, He De-
ncribes His Last Sensations.

Dying From Hy0fOPnOD10s ne de-
scribes His Last Sensations.
New York. July 29.-Capt George Miller
Bockcven, who died at 3 o'clock yesterday
morning in the New York Hospital, fur
nished to the medical world an account of a
man dying from hydrophobia- Although
the poison was gradually finding the way
10 his brain, he minutely described his SEN
sations to the attending physicians. and
shortly before his death dictated note to
his wife.
That his death was due to that rare dis
ease, hydrophobia, there is no doubt. To
make a thorough test particles from the
mans nervous system will be subjected to
test by DIR. Paul Gibier, Of the Pasteur
Institute.
Captain Bockoyen was the master OF the
freight steamer Coruna. He was bitten by
yellow cur on July II. He thought no
more OF the incident until last Wendnes-
day night when he was seized with violent
pain in the right arm, where he had been
bitten by the dog. He went to the Pres
byterian Hospital and from there to the
Pasteur Institute. The disease was then
so far advanced that it was impossible to
save him. DR., Gibier, as a foriorn hope.
tried the Buisscn vapor bath treatment,
sent to New York Hospital to die
All through his terrible experience Cap
tain Bockoyen showed no fear Breakers
ahead?" he asked enquiringly of the ply
sicians He saw in their faces that he did
not have long TO live. For that matter he
felt it himself His wife and his young
son had accompanied him to the Pasteur
Institute. and later to the hospital. The
wife bent over him. unable to control her
tears.
It's all right" said the captain. I'VE
have lived many happy years together. You
must not cry
He spoke between the spasms of the dis
ease. At times his jaws were locked. He
found IL difficult to breathe The muscles
OF his face and neck continually contracted.
At times his form was rigid. He was suf-
fering exeruciating agony- He reminded
his wife that they had laid aside eompe-
tency, and that their son would care for
her.
The day before he was bluff and hale. a
rubicund, jovial son OF the sea few
hours later he was raeked with pain and
near to death He knew that the craft
which he had stored for fifty-five years was
going on the rocks and that all human skill
was pOwerless TO save.
Around the patient Thursday night was
nearly the entire. staff Of the New York
Hospital. At the suggestion of DR.. Gibier
portion of the mans blood was drawn of
and salt water was substituted There was
no improvement in the mans condition
He pointed at midnight toward the wall
See them" he said, '-the lights,''
He was approaching an unknown port.
The night was dark and chill and the har-
Dor lights were shining from a distant
shore.
Above him the captain saw a shower of
sparks as though the great north star
were falling and the bands CT Orion were
being lcosed. He was losing his reckon
ing He raised himself and told the ply
sicians of the lights upon the wall and the
sparks which flashed above him He said
that the sparks were moving with the pre-
cision of clockwork.
The physicians drew nearer to the dying
man and listened. II was not the deIirium
OF a dying man. Above IL all was the mind
still serene and calm, although al increas-
ing intervals the body was racked with
pain
He motioned TO the doctors that he
wished to dictate a note. Dr. Gibier took
the following message, which the captain
gave in clear and even voice:
My Dear Wife: l know that l have not
more than day TO live ! realize that
must die. | understand well that / am
suffering from hydrophcbia. So don't
grieve. We have bsen happy many years.
Now let's talk matters over You are well
provided for Our son viii take good care
OF you. But please don't cry
He died at O'Clock in frightful agony
The poison had reached his brain.
Mrs. Bockhoyen was informed of her
husbands death by messenger She tainted
when she heard of it, and yesterday she
was unable to leave her home up town.
The body last evening was still at the New
|. York HosDitaI