THE MATAMOROS PAPERS.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1917, 28 June 1869, Page 3

THE MATAMOROS PAPERS.

No. 111. “ SENTUS SITU.” Virgil. There are, it would appear, two types of the disease commonly called hydrophobia—the acute and the chronic. Acute hydrophobia, as is well known, is caused by the bite of a mad dog. It is characterised by well marked symptoms of a violent nature, and runs its course in a very short time. The chronic form of the disease is of obscure origin, though there are reasons for believing it to be hereditary. It is seldom directly fatal in its effects, but there cannot be much doubt that its tendency is greatly to shorten the span of human life. A very long practice—and the great attention I have given to tliis disease—warrant my saying that, of “all the ills to which our flesh is heir, it is the most widely spread and the most insidious in its approaches. Chronic hydrophobia most commonly begins in childhood. The first perceptible symptom of its approach is a disinclination shown by the child for the Saturday night’s warm bath, which gradually developes itself into a decided dislike of sponges, tubs, baths, and water —but more particularly cold water. As years pass by, the patient acquires a violent hatred for these things, and is observed to shudder at the very mention of a cold bath, especially in winter time. The countenance not unfrequently becomes pale or sallow ; at times, but most of all in warm weather, or in a hot room, the skin is observed to exhale an unpleasant odour ; if there is any tendency to dyspepsia, it is increased ; and generally the poor sufferer is listless and low-spirited, but quite unable to tell the cause of the depression. This is one of the most marked symptoms of the disease ; a person who has never washed himself all over for, say twenty years, will consider himself grossly insulted if you hint that he does not pay sufficient attention to personal cleanliness. He will tell you that he washes himself regularly once a day at the least; the truth being that he washes merely his face and his hands, and possibly cleans his teeth, daily. This form of hydrophobia is distinguished from the acute type by the fact, that while a person who has been bitten by a mad dog is afraid of water, and cannot be , induced to drink any, the sufferer from the chronic disease takes it inwardly with ease and apparent pleasure, but utterly to

use it outwardly, and especially in conjunction with soap. I subjoin an account of two remarkable cases :—John M , aged 37, a bank clerk ; tall and well-made ; countenance sallow; eyes rather fishy; flesh abundant, but somewhat flabby : Feels constantly languor and depression of spirits ; is easily tired by active exertion; never perspires freely without very violent exercise, and is then liable to catch cold : Says, on being questioned, that he is very cleanly in his habits; washes his face twice, and his hands several times a-day; changes his linen frequently : His mother used to bathe him when he was a baby; has never bathed since, except once when he happened to fall overboard some years ago while boating: Is not aware that his skin is covered over with a film of filth, the result of many years’ accumulation ; thinks the clean linen should be a sovereign remedy against that; is surprised to hear that it is not. On having prescribed a cold bath every morning, declared that a fellow must be mad to follow any such advice, and declined to do so.—James K . aged G2 a tailor : Symptoms same as in the last case. Took the advice; quite cured after a fortnight. Feels healthier, more buoyant, than he has for years. Moreover, he says, that he has an indescribable sort of clean feeling about him which is perfectly delightful, St. Ouen. N.R—This disease is not confined to the male sex; I have known ladies troubled with some of its worst symptoms.