Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-20
DOCTOR SAYS mo HOPE"
Victim Leaves Hospital and Ad.
iusts Business Affairs.
WAS NOT BITTEN BY DOG
Infected by Disease While Fondling
Pet Sapniel-Takes His
Doom Coolly.

NEW YORK, May 2O.-Discovering too
late to be cured that he was suffering
from hydrophobia. William H. Marsh.
manufacturer of water meters. is wait
ing. as he believes for death at his home
"A Ocean avenue. Brooklyn.
Accepting the verdict of the physicians
at the Pasteur Institute that there was
no hope for him. Mr.. Marsh has resigned
himself to what lie regards as the inevita-
BILE. and is calmly awaiting the end.
To ease the last hours OF Mr.. Marsh
the physicians about his bedside today put
him under the influence of opiates, and
he will be kept in that condition
until his death. Mr.. March was per-
aectly conscious and apparently did not
suffer except when seized with convul-
sions. The paroxysms became more fire.
quent last night. each growing more vio-
lent than the preceding one. The ply
sieians feared that he would begin to
rave and determined to relieve any suf-
fering that might ensue. Between the
paroxysms MIR. Marsh babe farewell to
his family. which had gathered at his
home in Brooklyn and arranged his bust
ness affairs.
The case is one of the strangest and
most pathetic that has ever come to the
attention of the experts of the institute.
About six weeks ago a spaniel puppy
which had strayed into Mr.. Marsh's Of
flee. at 10 Robinson street. and been
permitted to remain a few days. was at
tackled and bitten in front of the place by
a dog suffering from rabies. A veter-
marian who was called found. that the
puppy had been only scratched.>
Mr.. Marsh thought no more about the
matter until ten days later, when the
spaniel died In commissions. Even then
he had not the faintest fear that there
was anything wrong with himself. Sat
urday last. however, the dread truth be.
gan to reveal itself
Nervous Attack.
On that day he had strange nervous
attack. the muscles of his face and throat
being particularly affected. He also dis
covered, to his bewildermAnt, that he
could not drink water Monday he ex-
perienced a mild sort of convulsion and.
becoming uneasy, went to physician,
who informed Mr.. Marsh that he had
symptoms of hydrophobia. Mr.. Marsh
hurried to the Pasteur Institute, and
there the physician gave him a thorough
examination. which confirmed the dag
nosis Of his own physician. He was In
formed that he was In an advanced stage
of hydrophobia.
Mr. Marsh then recalled that at the
time the spaniel was bitten he had a
hangnail on one of his fingers which was
sore. He had permitted the pet puppy to
lick his hand. and in this way the poison
was introduced into his blood
The, physicians at the institute rave
Mr. Marsh treatment and told him to re-
turn yesterday. On this second visit it
was apparent that the malady was pro-
crossing
Physicians Give Verdict.
THE treatment" the physicians told
him. with some hesitation. has not had
the slightest effect on you You have
waited too long before seeking this aid
We are convinced that neither our treat
ment nor any other can save you"
Mr.. Marsh heard them through calmly
and accepted their verdict hravely. After
moments thought he asked, without
tremor in his voice:
You say there is no hope How much
time do you give me?"
The physicians were plainly distressed
at the question. They consulted. and then
one of them. apparently with more cour-
age than the others. turned to Mr.. Marsh
and replied:
I'M, Net ), lonsg-probab'y not more than
Mr.. Marsh faced the prospect Of dying
in the agonjes of hydrophobia without ex-
hib!ting the slightest fear. His face was
drawn and his expression profoundly sad.
but he talked quietly and coolly.
Prepares for Death.
Well said he. If I am doomed to
die l can face 1t like q man. OF course,
I know how hard it isl would rather
die in some other way-but I am not
afraid
Shaking hands with the physicians, Mr..
Marsh walked with Arm step out to his
waiting carriage and was driven to his
home. Down Broadway and across the
bridge went the carriage. and none In
the hurrying throngs through which It
| passed had the faintest idea that the we'll
sroomed. steadyeyed man sitting within
was going home to prepare to meet what
he believed to be horrible death. Be-
| fOre leaving the institute Mr.. Marsh had
| told the doctors that his business inter-
ests were In the best of shape and that
ne believed a few days would be enough
| for him to settle his affairs.
| At the Marsh home, which IL one Of the
finest in Flatbush. 1t was said last. night
| that Mr.. Marsh had taken to his bed He
vas under the care of physicians. but he
! himself and the members Of his family
seemed to feel that the end was near. his
condition having steadily grown worse.