Death From Hydrophobia.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 406, 28 September 1889, Page 3

Death From Hydrophobia.

Dr. Thomas held an inquest lately at the | Paddington Coroner's Court, on the body of j Henry Thomas Hall, aged 13, an errand boy, the son of Jacob Hall, a blacksmith, living in Carlton Road, Kilburn. The mother of the deceased stated that her son was a very healthy lad. On the evening of Sunday, June 30th, he returned home with his hand bandaged, 'having 1 been bitten on the forefinger of the left hand by a stray dog. The wound comparatively healed up, and he was able to work. " On Friday last he complained of paihs in the head, and had great difficulty in swallowing. On Saturday he aaked for watej: and said, ' I will lick it like a dog.' Subsequently he was removed to St. Mary's Hospital, and died on Monday. William Mylam, deceased's friend, said that he was with Hall in Salisbury Road, when a black collie dog came up to the latter, andyd v gave a sudden snap,' and bit him. Dr. Davis deposed that death was due to hydrophobia. The Coroner said that he generally found fchafc bites arose from half-starved cats and dogs. About two years ago there seemed to be an epidemic of cases, but now that the new police rules were in force no doubt they would deorease. Inspector Newman, X Division, said the new rules were not in force in the oounty of London, they only applied to the county of Middlesex. During* tho month of June 144 persons were bitten by stray dogs and others who were owned. As many as 1,400 stray animals were seized. He had been unable to find the colhe that bit the deceased, but he found out that it had bitten another dog, and that had gone rabid. The Coroner and jury seemed surprised to hear that the muzzling was not enforced in London. The jury returned a verdict of death from misadventure, adding a rider to the effect that as the muzzliner order was not in operation in the county of London, they were of opinion that it should be immediately enforced ; and further would- call the Home Secretary's attention to the matter, as it was the second case which had occurred in Paddington within the last' three- weeks.—' Daily Chronicle. ; '