202 HYDROPHOBIA . 



the inflamed state of the glottis, epiglottis, and 

 muscles of deglutition, also accounts for the 

 difficulty of swallowing, which in the latter stages 

 of the disease is so great, that, although the 

 patients are almost famishing from intense thirst, 

 they cannot bear the sight of liquids ; even 

 talking of them, by associating the idea of 

 swallowing, instantly brings on, or increases the 

 spasms; and I imagine death to be the conse- 

 quence of their violence ; stopping respiration, 

 and BY THAT, the circulation. 



Sudden light, noise, the appearance of a 

 stranger, or a rush of air, will bring on the fit, 

 which indicates great nervous irritability : tentigo 

 also attend ; these are all concomitant symptoms, 

 but the grand characteristic one, and that which 

 causes death, is, I conceive, the spasmodic action of 

 the diaphragm. Whenever death is occasioned 

 by any sudden fright, I think it is much in the 

 same way. 



On reading Doctor Hutchinson's proemium for 

 January, 1821, I was sensibly struck with the 

 observations therein of Drs. Hutchinson, Curson, 

 and Ker, and the experiments of Mr. Bourdon, 

 which I think are strongly and particularly 



