A SINGULAR CASE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1676, 22 December 1887, Page 3

A SINGULAR CASE.

Mr Ttoutbook, Depufcy-Coroner for Weitminster, held an inquiry -reoeatly, into the sfronmstaneu connected with the death of Martin Cahill, aged about 19 years who was in the eervieaof Lieutenant Walter Long, II Queen’s Oats. The deceased, as well ae hie master, was bitten an the 14th of June last by a hound supposed to be infferiag from rabies. They both subsequently went to Paris and were both under the treatment of M. Pasteur from the 16th of June to tba 14th of July. After their return to England, the wound began to give pain, and on the 11th of August the deceased was admitted to St. George's Hospital, Or Bussell Ooombe deposed that the application of a soothing lotion soon eubdued the pain, and that there were no other symptoms except thoss of great netvoui. ness. The man seemed to hare a strong idea that he was going to die, He was simply in a state of fright. Next day he complained of eatohing his breath, and said he oonld not awallpw properly. He tried to swallow, bnt did it in a " bungling sort of fashion,” although ha bad no rsal diflloqlty, On the 13th witness was sent for, Cahill was in great pain, and the witnece ordered him a morphia draught. Later in the day he was removed to a separata ward, having become violent. He continued to complain of inability to drink, and of catching of the breath. This went on till nine o'clock that night. He then beam a very violent, and made imitations of various animals eueh as barking and snapping. He was, however, apparently conscious, and would stop doing these things when told to do eo. Shackle* were placed on hie feet, aod at eleven o’clock tbs witness saw him and asked him to swallow

tome milk. He refused, and ejected it from his mouth. After thie he ewallowed tome perfectly my, He remained in tbii condition till 7. 10 on Sunday morning, when he began to vomit blood, and diad later in the morning. The witness was nnabls to state the canae el death. The symptoms were not thoia that nenslly accompanied hydrophobia. The men’s condition was apparently profoundly influenced by i the state of fright he wai in, bnt the witness did not think the fright wss the sole came of death. Eventually the jury returned a verdict of ‘ Accidental death. 1