HYDROPHOBIA FROM SKUNK-BITE 231 



and feelinf; tired, but bad no apprebensioii concerning bimself. Tbe first 

 symptom, tbe morning tbe disease developed itself, was a feeling of con- 

 striction in tbe tbroat, togetber witb dryness, opistbotouos, witb decided 

 mania preceding tbe spasms. 



" Cask IV. Bite of Wolf. — A private of Co. F, Sixtb Cavalry, was bitten 

 by a wolf one evening, just after be had come off post, in tbe lobe of tbe 

 left ear, in tbe early part of October, 1873. Tbe wound was freely cauter- 

 ized witb nitrate of silver by tbe surgeon of tbe camp. On tbe 28tb of tbe 

 same montb be applied to me lor medicine for headacbe, wbich was given 

 to him. On tbe 30th he again applied for medicine, stating that he did not 

 feel sick enough to go on the sick report. Knowing the man's history, I 

 cautiously examined him, and questioned him in such a way as not to ex- 

 cite his fears. I found that the lobe of the ear that bad been bitten was 

 quite numb to the touch. No other symptoms presented themselves promi- 

 nently. There was, however, a general malaise. The day following, tbe 

 man was in tbe ranks for muster and inspection. Observing him, I saw at 

 once that something was wrong, and upon reporting bis case he was ordered 

 to bis quarters, by the commanding officer. Fifteen minutes later I was 

 sent for to see him, and found him iu convulsions, which tbe orderly in- 

 formed me came on upon bis attempts to take a drink of water. He was at 

 once removed to the hospital. He suffered from cold, he told me, whilst 

 being conveyed there. Examination revealed alternately contracting and 

 dilating pupils; skin very hot; temperature 102°, 102.5°, 100°, by three 

 examinations, with the thermometer in the axilla; pulse 120-125, alternat- 

 ing in volume before and after a spasm, but constantly rapid. Tongue some- 

 what swollen and indented by tbe teeth on tbe edge; thick, whitish fur ; 

 uo so-called 'characteristic pustules' under tbe tongue. Thirst intense; 

 no irritability or sensation in tbe wound of the ear; constriction of the 

 pharynx; increasing violent attempts to relieve himself of the thick and 

 tenacious saliva; sound produced resembling more tbe bark of a wolf than 

 any sound ever heard. Complete inability to swallow any liquid, the at- 

 tempt ending in a convulsion. Mental faculties perfect when not in spasm ; 

 fully aware that death must end tbe scene. Towards the close the convul- 

 sions w^ere longer and of greater strength, witb frequent furious attempts 

 to bite bis attendants, for wiiicb he would beg their pardon time and again. 

 I)e|ULk.t ^k place su ddenly in thirty hours. 



" CaseV. liiTE of UoG. — A man, aged about 46, attached to a hay-camp, 

 applied to me in August, 1873, to dress his hand, which had been terribly 

 lacerated by a favorite bound that day. He stated that his dog bad been 

 acting rather strangely for several days, but that up to that time had 

 always come to him when called, and had appeared as affectionate as ever ; 

 that a strange dog bad appeared in camp, and that his dog bad attacked it 

 furiously; he attempted to separate them, when his dog turned and bit him 

 through the band, his teeth passing completely through from side to side ; 

 that immediately after bitring him he (dog) had run oif a short distance and 

 laid down in a pool of water. Cauterizing the wound freely I directed him 

 to report at tbe hospital next morning, when the eschar was removed and 

 his hand was again cauterized. The following day he called at tbe hospital 

 and stated that he had shot his dog, and was satisfied that he was mad, and 

 that be was going that day to Missouri to have a mad-stone applied. He 



