The Telescope

Case of Hydrophobia

QUEBEC, May 27.

Madame Bruneau, wife of Mr. T. Bruneau, of the Ordnance Department, had her arm violently lacerated by the bite of a cat, about the commencement of November last. The animal fastened upon her with such ferocity, that it would not loosen its hold until some of its bones were broken—it was immediately killed. The laceration was washed with brine, and dressed with some domestic remedy, such as the family had been in the habit of applying to wounds and sores—it continued open for several weeks, and healed at last with much difficulty. About the beginning of May, the scar became inflamed, and very itchy, attended with a sort of pinching pain, which attended in the direction of the lymphatics to the axilla, and side of the neck.

On the morning of the 12th, when attempting to take a little cordial for the relief of a pain in the stomach, she found herself seized with an indescribable feeling of horror, and constriction of the throat, as the liquid approached her mouth: attributing this to the smell of the cordial, she tried a little tea, and afterwards, some water: but the same feeling was excited the instant she looked at either of these. Her husband being employed in the Ordnance, sent for a medical officer of that department, who immediately attended, and after much enquiry obtained the history above related of the case.

The case being considered an important one, was reported to the Inspector of Hospitals, and permission was obtained from the family to call in an eminent physician, who upon seeing the case, did not hesitate to coincide in opinion with the Ordnance Medical officer, that it was a distinct case of hydrophobia. This opinion was on the following morning further confirmed by that of the Inspector of Hospitals, and the Surgeon to the Forces. Notice was given of the case to all the medical gentlemen who could be found. The progress of the disease was so rapid, as to afford but little time for medical treatment. Copious bleeding having been latterly recommended from high authority, was put in practice, but with evident disadvantage large doses of mercurial purgatives (indicated by the state of her bowels) were administered with some degree of temporary relief—antispasmodics were then attempted to be given, but the power of deglutition was so soon lost, that very little was taken—(about three grains of the extract of hyoscyamus.) The same sense of horror, and spasmodic constriction of the throat, &c. were excited by looking at a mirror, or any other substances having a polished reflecting surface. On the morning of the 13th, these sensations came on spontaneously, and very frequently followed by violent convulsions, the moment any liquid was brought in sight the power of swallowing solids now began to diminish. and by ten o'clock not even the saliva could be got down, but issued abundantly out of the mouth, in a viscid and stringy state. From this moment, the convulsion continued incessantly, until two P.M. when she died. The body became perfectly putrid in a few hours after her decease.