Report of Use of Skullcap Herb as Folk Remedy to Treat Rabies in Pelham Manor in the Early 19th Century

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During the first years of the 19th century, Pelham was a very rural place.  The Town, created by Act of the New York State Legislature in 1788, encompassed not only its present territory, but also all of today's Pelham Bay Park and islands in Long Island Sound including City Island.  Its population was a little more than 200 souls.  Nearly the entire region consisted of farmland and self-sustaining estates and orchards where produce was grown to sustain families and to sell to the nearby New York City markets.  

Physicians, of course, were few and far between.  Moreover, the state of medicine at the time was little better than medieval times and nothing like the modern medical industry on which we rely today.

Even in Pelham, folk medicine based on oral traditions rather than rigorous scientific practices (typically using indigenous plants as traditional "cures" or "remedies") was the rule.  Additionally, for some ailments there really were not yet effective treatments.  That left traditional folk medicine as the only hope for the afflicted.

One of the most horrific and gruesome afflictions for which there was no meaningfully effective remedy at that time was rabies, also known as hydrophobia.  In the early 19th century, rabies cases virtually always resulted in death.  Indeed, it was not until 1885 that Louis Pasteur and Émile Roux developed the first effective rabies vaccine and used it for the first time on a human to save the life of nine-year-old Joseph Meister who had been mauled by a rabid dog.  Indeed, not long after the ground-breaking work of Pasteur and Roux, a Pelham woman bitten by a rabid dog hustled overseas to be treated by Pasteur.  See Thu., Aug. 10, 2017:  Bitten by a Dog Showing Rabies Symptoms, Pelham Woman Traveled to Europe to See Pasteur.

According to one newspaper account published in 1811, a small "mad dog" infected with rabies rampaged through a home in Pelham Manor (as the region often then was called) in about 1806 and bit twelve members of the same family.  The same dog also bit two hogs at the same time.  Fearing rabies, the hogs were locked away and, indeed, reportedly died of hydrophobia.

With no meaningful alternative, the twelve Pelham residents reportedly were treated with a folk remedy.  They were administered an herb referenced as "scullcap."  The herb actually is referenced colloquially as "skullcap," a member the genus "Scutellaria" that includes flowering plants in the mint family Lamiaceae.  According to one source:  "The generic name is derived from the Latin scutella, meaning "a small dish, tray or platter," or "little dish," referring to the shape of the calyx.  The common name [i.e., skullcap] alludes to the resemblance of the same structure to "miniature medieval helmets."  Source:  Scutellaria in Wikipedia -- The Free Encyclopedia (visited Apr. 1, 2018).

The version of Skullcap used to treat such cases of hydrophobia in the early years of the 19th century in America typically was Scutellaria lateriflora.  Although there seems to be no known scientific basis to believe that this Skullcap is the least bit effective in treating rabies, the plant is known to demonstrate "anxiolytic activity" in humans, meaning it can inhibit anxiety -- certainly some small benefit for anyone bitten by a rabid dog and facing likely death at the time.

In 1811, a civic-minded citizen wrote to a New York newspaper to reveal for the benefit of "all who may have the misfortune to be bit by a mad dog" what he believed to be a closely-guarded secret known only to a few physicians in the region.  The "secret" was that skullcap was an effective treatment for rabies.  In support of his contention, the gentleman claimed:

"Among many others the following deserves special mention.  About five years ago, if my memory serves me, a mad dog at Pelham Manor, being a small favourite, and running about the house, bit no less than 12 persons, in one family; to these the scullcap [sic] was administered by Lewis, without delay, and no one ever experienced the least inconvenience; two hogs in the neighborhood, were also bit by the same dog, at the same time, which were shut up, but nothing was administered; both of them went made and died of the hydrophobia."

Research has revealed no account of the mad dog incident that the man claimed occurred in Pelham in about 1806.  Either the account was fabricated or twelve members of a single Pelham family experienced a modern miracle and survived the bite of a mad dog . . . . . 

An Example of One Plant Referenced as a Skullcap,

Scutellaria Pekinensis.  Source:  Wikipedia.  NOTE:

Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"Mad Dogs. -- From the morning papers we learn that several persons have lately been bitten by mad dogs in this city.  A number of cows, hogs and horses have been bitten, some of which have died with hydrophobia.

I feel it to be my duty to inform the public on this occasion, and I hesitate not to take upon myself the responsibility of doing so, that all who may have the misfortune to be bit by a mad dog, may be certain of a cure, by application to Mr. Jesse Lewis living in Mamaroneck, county of West Chester.  His father, who is now dead, obtained the knowledge of the remedy, from a Dr. Vanderveer, an elderly physician of New Jersey, many years since, and for a trifle made the secret known to Mr. Robert Bowne, of this city:  it is the plant commonly called scullcap [sic], if timely administered, that is, any time before the appearance of hydrophobia, has never been known to fail.  The editor has the less hesitation in confidently recommending this remedy to the public because striking instances of its success have fallen within his personal knowledge.  Among many others the following deserves special mention.  About five years ago, if my memory serves me, a mad dog at Pelham Manor, being a small favourite, and running about the house, bit no less than 12 persons, in one family; to these the scullcap [sic] was administered by Lewis, without delay, and no one ever experienced the least inconvenience; two hogs in the neighborhood, were also bit by the same dog, at the same time, which were shut up, but nothing was administered; both of them went made and died of the hydrophobia.

A more particular account of the virtues of the herb called scullcap [sic], with an engraving of the plant, may be found in the Med. Repertory published in February last. -- New York Evening Post."

Source:  Mad Dogs, The Raleigh Minerva [Raleigh, NC], Jun. 14, 1811, Vol. 16, No. 793, p. 4, col. 3.

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Pelham Reacted to Rumors of the Establishment of a Cholera Hospital on Hunter's Island in 1892

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In 1892, the world was in the midst of what has come to be known as the "Fifth Cholera Pandemic."  The cholera outbreak is believed to have begun years earlier in India, but it spread throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America.  During the pandemic "Cholera claimed 200,000 lives in Russia between 1893 and 1894; and 90,000 in Japan between 1887 and 1889."  See Fifth Cholera Pandemic (1881-96), Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia (visited Mar. 8, 2015).   

For many Americans, the disease they knew as "Asiatic Cholera" seemed a distant threat, until early September, 1892.  On September 1, newspapers in the region reported that a ship had arrived in New York Harbor containing passengers afflicted with the dreaded disease.  See, e.g., THE CHOLERA SCARE -- THE PRESENCE OF AN INFECTED SHIP IN NEW YORK HARBOR, The Rome Daily Sentinel [Rome, NY], Sep. 1, 1892, Vol. XI, No. 6192, p. 1, col. 5.  Suddenly the danger was no longer a distant threat.

The Federal government considered suspending immigration and even postponing the upcoming World's Fair.  Quarantine laws were dusted off and used to hold ships in the lower harbor.  President Benjamin Harrison, who was visiting New York at the time, cut his visit short and returned to Washington "post haste to consult with his cabinet concerning measures advisable to repel the threatened invasion of cholera."

By autumn, 1892, New York City was fighting the "grim grip" of the dreaded disease known as cholera.  Nearly 2,000 afflicted patients were quarantined on detained ships that had arrived with infected passengers and on quarantine islands established in the lower bay.  Conditions for the afflicted were shockingly bad.  The New York region grew increasingly fearful of what was viewed as a plague that put millions at risk.  Quarantined cholera patients were floating in ships and were crowded onto islands only miles away from suburban settlements including the Town of Pelham.   

Reports in Westchester County newspapers recounted the deadly statistics as the disease took its toll.  See IN CHOLERA'S GRIM GRIP -- The Plague Continues to Flourish in New York Harbor -- FOUR DEATHS AND TEN NEW CASES -- The Victims and the Suspects Are Isolated on Swinburne Island in the Lower Bay -- Not a Case Has Yet Reached the City -- Dr. Depew Released, Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Sep. 9, 1892, Vol. I, No. 137, p. 1, col. 2 (stating "The city is yet free from cholera.  Distressing as ever, however, is the condition of affairs among the 1,500 unfortunate kept on the detained ships and the quarantine islands in the lower bay.").  Fear spread throughout the region that the scourge could spread.  Indeed, the New Jersey state board of health decided to create a sea patrol to ensure that no one could escape from quarantined ships to the shores of that state.  See To Keep It Out of New Jersey, Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Sep. 9, 1892, Vol. I, No. 137, p. 1, col. 2.

Fear of the deadly disease reigned supreme during September, 1892.  Rumors abounded, including one that was reported in a number of newspapers:  the New York City Board of Health had received permission from the New York City Department of Public Parks to use the facilities on Hunter's Island as a hospital for cholera patients.

It was as if a bomb had exploded in Pelham.  The Town hired a local attorney, William Robert Lamberton, to address the issue.  On September 2, 1892, Lamberton wrote the New York City Board of Health to remind it that Hunter's Island was part of the Town of Pelham, not part of New York City.  Lamberton emphasized that although New York City owned the land, it had no civil jurisdiction over the land except for limited police power necessary to protect its property interest.  Lamberton conveyed in no uncertain terms that the Board of Health of the Town of Pelham would never permit a hospital for cholera patients anywhere within the boundaries of the Town of Pelham including Hunter's Island.

The New York City Board of Health responded promptly.  It stated simply that "the Board of Health of this city has never had any intention of locating a hospital for cholera patients within the limits of Pelham Bay Park, and has not given any serious consideration to that location for such a purpose."  

Apparently, the rumors of the establishment of a hospital for cholera patients on Hunter's Island were untrue.  Yet, the local press made clear that without regard to the reply of the New York City Board of Health, the region would be watching vigilantly and would be ready to take action to stop any attempt to house cholera patients in the area.

1849 Handbill Issued by the Board of Health of the City of New York.

Source:  Wikipedia.org.

Below is the text of an article that appeared in the September 10, 1892 issue of the New Rochelle Pioneer about the affair in early September.  The text is followed by a citation and link to its source.  

"NO CHOLERA HOSPITAL IN PELHAM BAY PARK.
-----

It was reported in the New York daily papers last week, that the Board of Health of that city had applied to the Department of Public Parks for permission to use Hunter's Island for the purposes of a hospital for cholera patients, and that such permission has been granted.

This report naturally created great excitement in the town of Pelham, and especially on City Island, which is only about half a mile distant from the site of the proposed hospital.

In response to the popular demand, Supervisor Pelll called a special meeting of the Health Board, and it was decided to strenuously resist any attempt on the part of the city to use Hunter's Island for any such dangerous prupose.  

As a result of the meeting, the following letter was sent to the New York Board of Health:

Law Offices of W. R. Lamberton, Post Building, 16 and 18, Exchange Place, New York.

September 2d, 1892.

GENTLEMEN.--The Board of Health of the town of Pelham having been informed through the press of your intention to establish one or more hospitals for cholera patients within the limits of Pelham Bay Park, have requested me to call your attention to the fact that while the city of New York has acquired the title to the lands within the park limits, it has acquired no civil jurisdiction (except a very limited one for police purposes) over the said lands.  The civil authority still remains in the town officers, the same as before the passage of the park act of 1884 and the subsequent acquisition of the land.  That is to say, the city is practically in the position of a private owner and subject in all respects to the power of the town Board of Health to prevent the creation or continuance of any nuisance or anything else detrimental to public health upon its property.

The town Board of Health therefore beg leave to notify you that the erection or maintenance of any hospital or other place for the reception of cholera patients will not be permitted within the limits of Pelham Bay Park, nor at any other point within the town, nor will the introduction of cholera patients into the town be permitted upon any pretext whatever.

The town Board does not intend any disrespect to your Board, but you must remember that it is the first duty of the local Board to protect its own people.  This they would certainly not do if they permitted the establishment of a pest house almost at the doors of a majority of the residents of the town.

Kindly inform me as to what action is taken by your Board upon this matter, and oblige, 

Yours truly,

W. R. LAMBERTON.

Counsel for the Board of Health of the Town of Pelham.

To the Board of Health of the City of New York.

In reply the following letter was received:

'W. R. Lamberton, Esq., 16 and 18, Exchange Place, New York City.'

SIR:  -- Yours of this date is received, and I am directed to say in reply that the Board of Health of this city has never had any intention of locating a hospital for cholera patients within the limits of Pelham Bay Park, and has not given any serious consideration to that location for such a purpose.

Yours respectfully,

EMMONS CLARK, Secretary.

It will be noticed that while Mr. Clark's letter is satisfactory so far as it goes, yet it says nothing about things the Board may do in the future.  Consequently the Pelham Board will keep a sharp lookout, and at the first sign of an attempt to locate a hospital on Hunter's Island, will take all necessary measures to prevent it.  On the issue it is safe to say that no project which would so seriously endanger the health and lives of the people of City Island, Pelham Manor, New Rochelle and Mount Vernon will be successful."

Source:  NO CHOLERA HOSPITAL IN PELHAM BAY PARK, New Rochelle Pioneer, Sep. 10, 1892, Vol. XXXIII, No. 23, p. 2, col. 1.

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