Cases of hydrophobia / by George Pinckard.

  • Pinckard, George, 1768-1835.
Date:
1819
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Cases of hydrophobia / by George Pinckard. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    tion, “ Take care ! I feel the fit coming on; O dear! O dear !” His limbs gradually became colder and colder ; he grew weaker; his pulse was quick and feeble j and , from not being able to swallow the saliva, it collected about the corners of the mouth, where, from his breathing through it, it assumed the appearance of froth. Feeling his strength decline, he was sensible of his ap- proaching dissolution, and, looking anxiously round to his friends who were in the room, he called them by their several names, remarking to them that his was an awful death, and imploring them to comfort and protect the dear partner of his days, whom he was about to leave a widow; then, desiring to see his wife and children, he took leave of them in the most impressive and affecting manner, tenderly bidding them farewell, and reminding them, with the sub- lime resignation and fortitude of a Christian, that they would meet again in a happier world. His extremities were now cold and livid, but he continued to hold the hand of his poor weeping wife, affectionately pressing it whilst life re- mained. He was sensible to the last; and, calmly sinking, as it were, into a tranquil sleep, he expired at a quarter before twelve o’clock on Thursday night. The duration of the disease was about fifty-eight hours from the time when the pain of the leg was first perceived. In its course it exhibited several periods or stages, which were marked with tolerable accuracy, and may be briefly stated under the following heads : 1st. Acute pain, extending from the bitten part, about fourteen hours. 2d. A dread of liquids, with extreme nervous sensibility, about thirty-two hours. 3d. Comparative tranquillity, w-ith a diminution of the hydrophobia and excessive susceptibility, twelve hours.