DEATH FROM THE BITE OF A CAT. 695 
examining the thumb, and removing the thickened corru- 
gated skin, a copious ichorous discharge followed, the surface 
below having a livid appearance : there was very little sensi- 
bility to touch. 
I ordered the arm to be kept in a sling ; brandy and balm 
in linseed-meal poultices to be applied, and removed every 
three hours ; and brandy in gruel and arrow-root, and strong 
beef-tea, to be given. The treatment consisted of ammonia, 
camphor, and opium, administered at intervals of three 
hours. From this to the 17th of June the case proceeded 
with fluctuations, both in the condition and appearance of 
the wound and the febrile irritation, the only sharp symptom 
occurring being a “ most violent pain at the right shoulder 
blade.” 
June 17th. — Mr. Allen was “ hastily summoned to see 
him. He had been delirious, and had sprung out of bed, 
but was now lying perfectly calm. Vision was apparently 
gone; the breathing was stertorous, the pulse 130. In this 
state he continued on till the morning of the 20th of June, 
when he died without a struggle. 55 
Decomposition set in so rapidly (favoured no doubt by the 
then hot and humid state of the atmosphere), that I had no 
opportunity of obtaining a post-mortem examination. 
Two persons who had been in attendance on the deceased 
have since been taken ill. 
The first was a young married woman, at whose house the 
deceased lodged, and who had constantly attended upon him 
and dressed his wound. She was seized, on the morning of 
his decease, with “ synocha, 55 in its most aggravated form, 
and had one symptom connected with the case of the de- 
ceased, by which I was most forcibly struck, viz. the same 
intolerance to being touched upon the right shoulder blade, 
whilst other parts of the body might be handled freely. 
Copious venesection, mercurial purges, with calomel, anti- 
mony, and opium, and saline diaphoretic medicine, cut short 
the attack ; and in five days she became convalescent. 
The second, a neighbour’s servant (who had assisted in 
removing the bedclothes), was seized with faintness, head- 
ache, and vomiting ; but nothing further occurred. 
