Offenberg's case of cure of supposed hydrophobia by curare was reported in the Wiener Ally. Med. Zig. The patient was a girl twenty-four years of age, who had been bitten eighty days previously by a dog supposed to be rabid. After the ineffectual hypodermic injections of morphia and the administration of chloroform, seven doses of 0.2 gram. of curare were injected in five-and-a-half hours. First the muscular restlessness declined, then the convulsive attacks became less frequent, the dread of water and photophobia disappeared, the anxiety diminished. However, paralytic symptoms appeared, which attained their maximum on the following day. The next day the hydrophobic symptoms returned, but in slighter degrees, and the injection of 0.03 grm. of curare sufficed to suppress them.
The patient recovered slowly; two months afterwards, she still felt weak and prostrated, moved her limbs slowly and without energy, and complained of slight photophobia and dimness of sight. At the point of injection there occurred inflammation and infiltration, but no suppuration.
In the British Medical Journal for 1881 (vol. ii) is narrated a case by John Ruxton, Surgeon, A.M.D., in which Indian hemp, in repeated physiological doses, was given in hydrophobia, and was followed by recovery. A boy between five and six years of age, in the East Indies, was attacked by hydrophobia a month after being severely bitten. The bites having been well cauterised by fuming nitric acid within half-an-hour after infliction. Dr. Ruxton mentions that on one of his visits the boy "had chronic interrupted muscular contractions, twisting sometimes to the side, foaming at the mouth, spitting saliva from between his teeth, dreading all liquids, the slightest disturbance reproducing these frightful contortions." The lad was removed to hospital to die and as a palliative 5 minims of tincture of cannabis indica were with difficulty given by the mouth and followed by short sleep; "but he had again awoke in a wild screaming fit, and spitting saliva from between his teeth. The room was darkened and isolated, most complete quietude rigidly enforced and a m v. of the tincture of cannabis Indica were taken by the mouth in short convulsive gulps, most of it, however, was swallowed. A deep sleep, lasting for ten hours, soon followed, and he awoke conscious of those around him, recognising his mother for the first time for 24 hours. His pupils were contracted to a point, and he, seeming very heavy, went quickly to sleep again for another 12 hours, with slight interruptions, after which he took some milk and beef-tea without difficulty and dozed off to sleep at intervals during the day;" beef-tea and m v. of the tincture was given, and he slept 18 hours. When he awoke he was drowsy, weak and blanched, but free from fits and other serious symptoms. He recovered completely.
In the fourth volume of Frank's Magazine, Dr. Rust reports a case of hydrophobia treated by cantharis.
A girl of 20 was bitten by a rabid dog in the left upper extremity, on the 20th January.
There were two wounds about three inches from one another, penetrating through the skin into the cellular substance beneath. They were immediately cut out, and the part cauterised with lunar caustic; and in order, if possible, to ward off the danger, belladonna with calomel and sal volatile was administered.
On the 12th of March, after she had taken in all 36 grains of belladonna, as many of calomel, and 24 of sal volatile, she suddenly became low spirited, wept continually, complained of pains in the injured arm, principally midway between the two wounds. She was feverish, and had a horror of fluids. She would take a teaspoonful of water into her mouth with her eyes shut, but was unable to swallow it, and spat it out again. She now got pulv. canthar. gr. ss. in powders, one to be taken every two hours. Ag the same time caustic was applied to the painful part. The next day after she had taken nine powders, she had scalding on making water, and at the same time the fever declined, the hardness and fullness of the pulse diminished, the fixed pain in the arm went off completely, and she was much more composed. The powders were discontinued, and with great difficulty she was induced to take an oleaginous mixture. On the morning of the 14th the scalding was gone, and she got four grains more of cantharis, as before. In the afternoon burning thirst, she asked for beer and drank half a pint. On the 15th, three more powders. She was now able to take her usual food and drink. On the 30th scalding on passing water again occurred, and was treated as before. Dismissed cured on the 28th.
It has been suggested that this was not a case of hydrophobia, but that the hydrophobic symptoms were due to the large quantities of belladonna taken by the patient. If so, the homeopathic relation of belladonna and hydrophobia is supported by the case.
