HORRIBLE CASE OF HYDROPHOBIA.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 161, 10 December 1874, Page 3

HORRIBLE CASE OF HYDROPHOBIA.

{From the Rem York Tribune.) Those who have doubted the existence of hydrophobia have been taken aback by the death of William M'Cormick, of No. 309 East Fifty-tirst-strect, whose case exhibited all the most pronounced symptoms, of that disease. A little over a month ago Mr M'Cormick, who is a butcher, and also follows the express business, was bitten by a small dog. The wound was upon the hand, and was so light that it seemed only to be a scratch, and of no importance whatever. His wife and family expressed great anxiety on account of the stir about mad dogs ; but he laughed at their fears, assuring them that the dog was not mad, and there would be no danger. The dog was taken to the pound, and killed, so that there has been no chance to prove whether he had rabies or not On Monday, M'Cormick began to experience pains in his neck, and about his shoulders. He believed that he had rheumatism, and again laughed at the fears of his wife and family. He continued to grow worse and applied liniments and fomentations. He did not consult a physician, and continued about his business -as usual. On Wednesday at ten, Mr M'Cormick complained of feeling a peculiar creeping sensation coming up his back and spreading over his shoulders and the back of his neck. He told his wife that he felt faint, and she brought him a glass of water. He took the glass in his hand, and placed it to his lips to drink. His teeth closed upon the edge of the glass, his lips became purple, and his face presented the appearance of a person asrdiyxiated by choking. The muscles about his neck were contracted, and he caught his breath rapidly, and at' intervals could not breath at all. Dr Heddon, of No 155, East Fifty-first street, was sent for, and he reached the house as the spasm was passing off. The physician examined the patient carefully, and pronounced the case one of true hydrophobia. He prescribed various anodynes, and went out, after promising to call again at ten o'clock. Dr Heddon called upon Dr W. E. Leavitt, of 149, East Fifty first street, and requested him to call with him upon Mr M'Cormick. At ten, as agreed upon, they met at M'Corinick's house, and went to the patient's room. Without hesitation Dr Leavitt said that he considered the case one of pronounced hydrophobia. Since the former visit the case had advanced very rapidly, and the convulsions followed each other with great rapidity. Seeing that the unhappy patient would soon be beyond the control of the family, male nurses were sent for. The most powerful anodynes and narcotics seemed to have no effect, and the disease increased rapidly towards a fatal termination. At a quarter-past three yesterday morning the convulsions were so terrible that the nurses could not control the patient. He would straighten himself out, and then spring with all his might to throw himself from the bed. His jaws snapped together, and froth ran from his mouth in streams. Perspiration rolled from all parts of his body, wetting through his shirt and the bedding. His face was livid, and from time to time his throat seemed to contract, until the large muscles stood out in cords. His agony was intense, and chloroform could not be given to quiet the convulsions. At length a patrolman was called in and sent to the Fifty-ninth street police station for help and a straight jacket. Sergeant Fanning sent Roundsman West with the straight jacket, and to render such assistance as might be necessary. With their united strength the strait jacket was applied, and then more control could be exercised over the patient. The physicians remained with Mr M'Cormick all night, but their efforts were unavailing. Yesterday forenoon Drs William A. Hammond, Hogan, C. V. Russell, Hamilton, Viele of the Board of Health, Tuttle, Cremm, E. D. Leavitt, and other scientists were called in to see the patient. They made a careful examination of the facts connected with the case. Each symptom was weighed with the greatest care, and every point upon which issue could b&\ taken was discussed fully. At length they decided that the case was one of true hydrophobia, and that no doubt could be cast upon its genuineness. The time that had elapsed from the bite of the dog agreed with the usual time of incubation. The slight nature of the wound did not militate against the diagnosis, because many of the most pronounced cases of hydrophobia on record have come from just such punctures. The healing of the wound was natural, and this is usual after the bites of rabid dogs. The first symptoms and the rapid progress of the disease agreed with the scientific investigations in previous cases in London and Paris. The fatal termination must soon come, and then a scientific investigation is to be made, and the microscope may reveal important facts. The treatment has been the free administration of anodynes and narcotics, as faras possible, but the constancy with which the convulsions rapidly followed each other made the administration of any remedies uncertain and difficult. During the afternoon M'Cormick was constantly in a state of spasm. So rapidly did they follow one another that convulsions seemed almost continuous. About four o'clock signs of weakness were shown for the first time, and it became evident that a change was near. A little chloroform was administered, and afterwards the patient was a little easier, and tried to speak. Before his sentence could be finished, another spasm came on, more terrible than any. His back was bent like a bow, and the entire weight of his body rested upon the head and heels. His jaws crashed together, and once his teeth went through his tongue, causing it to bleed profusely. The blood and froth ran from his mouth, spattering over his face and the bedclothes. Then giving a tremendous struggle, almost bursting the bonds of the straight jacket, he threw himself upon his side. His jaws were clenched so tightly that they cracked in the terrible strain. The agony was intense. In a few moments, just as the clock was striking live, an ashen hue began to spread over his face. The muscular contraction relaxed. The jaw dropped, and Mr M'Cormick's terrible sufferings were over. Death was welcome, for no person could have suffered as he did. He was evidently conscious all through the terrible struggle, as was shown by his attempt to speak just before his death. The straight jacket was removed, and then the rigor mortis began to set in. No evidence could be gained as to the efficacy of any kind of treatment, the rapid progress of the disease to a fatal termination making every effort futile and beyond man's control.