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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Bitten by a Dog Showing Rabies Symptoms, Pelham Woman Traveled to Europe to See Pasteur

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After developing the process of pasteurization whereby liquids such as raw milk are boiled to kill microorganisms that might spoil the liquid or cause illness in those who consume it, French chemist and biologist Louis Pasteur turned his attention to a more thorough study of bacteria and other microorganisms.  During the 1880s, Pasteur's work as the director of scientific studies at the Ecole Normale in Paris focused on so-called germ theory and efforts to develop vaccines against some of the most prevalent diseases of the day.  Pasteur worked on a rabies vaccine, initially, by infecting rabbits with the rabies virus then, after death, drying their affected nerve tissue to weaken the virus so it could be applied as a safe vaccine.

On July 6, 1885, nine-year-old Joseph Meister was brought to Pasteur.  The young lad had been attacked by a rabid dog.  Pasteur administered his experimental vaccine to the boy who survived the ordeal and was spared a painful death from rabies.  

The world was stunned.  Pasteur became a national hero and an internationally-acclaimed scientist.  Publications throughout the world breathlessly acclaimed his success with treating the rabies virus.  People throughout the world read about his successful vaccination against the disease -- people including many who lived in the Town of Pelham, an ocean away from Paris, France.  

Among those who heard about the rabies vaccine was Mrs. John S. Ellis of the tiny settlement of Bartow-on-the-Sound in the Town of Pelham.  She was a sister of John M. Waterbury who also resided at Bartow.

Mrs. Ellis and her family had a beautiful collie as a family pet.  In the first week of January, 1887, the family collie had a fight with another local dog.  As Mrs. Ellis tried to break up the fight, her collie bit her on the hand and arm.  

She was shocked that the gentle family pet had turned on her, but attributed it to the fear and confusion of a dogfight.  As her wounds healed, however, the family pet became sick.  Soon the collie was acting mad and, shortly, it died.  Family and friends were terrified.  The dog exhibited signs of hydrophobia -- rabies!

Mrs. Ellis and her family became "greatly alarmed."  So did the local Board of Health.  A number of local dogs were killed and the Board ordered that all dogs that may have been bitten by the collie before it died were to be chained until further notice.

On Tuesday, January 4, 1887, only days after she suffered the dog bite, Mrs. Ellis and her husband boarded the Arizona and set sail for Liverpool from which they planned to travel to Paris to place Mrs. Ellis under the care of the famed Louis Pasteur who had previously saved the life of little nine-year-old Joseph Meister with his rabies vaccine.  

We may never know whether the collie did not have rabies or the rabies vaccine was administered by Louis Pasteur and saved the life of Mrs. Ellis.  We do know, however, that the following autumn, a healthy and robust Mrs. Ellis was hosting parties for members of The Country Club at Pelham. . . . . 

Louis Pasteur in His Laboratory.  A Painting by A. Edelfeldt.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"THE COUNTY. . . .

A little over a week ago, Mrs. John S. Ellis, a sister of John M. Waterbury, who resides at Bartow, was bitten on the hand by her pet dog, while she was trying to stop him fighting with another dog.  The wound healed up and nothing more was thought of it until a couple of days afterward, when it was discovered the dog was mad.  This greatly alarmed the lady, and on Tuesday she sailed for Paris, to be treated by Pasteur.  A number of dogs have been killed, and the Board of Health has ordered that all dogs that may have been bitten by the Ellis dog, be chained."

Source:  THE COUNTY, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jan. 7, 1887, Vol. XVIII, No. 948, p. 2, col. 4.  

"CHATTER. . . .

-- Mrs. John S. Ellis of Bartow-on Sound has gone sailing over the sea to M. Pasteur.  A pet dog, a large and hitherto gentle collie, bit her somewhat severely in the arm.  Although Mrs. Ellis felt no apprehension regarding the injury, she has yielded to the persuasions of her family, and last Tuesday with her husband and son sailed for Paris.  Mrs. Ellis is the sister of Mrs. Pierrepont Edwards, wife of the British Consul, and of Mrs. C. C. Johnstou.  Her brother is James M. Waterbury, adjoining whose magnificent country seat, 'Plaisance,' is the handsome home of the Ellises where they live the year round.  Apropos of Mr. Waterbury's superb place, Baron Selliere (he with the noble showing of $5,000,000) says it is incomparably the prettiest and most complete country seat he has ever seen, excepting, of course, the show places of England."

Source:  CHATTER, The Daily Graphic [NY, NY], Jan. 8, 1887, p. 519, cols. 1-2.  

"WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOCIETY. . . .

The accident which has befallen Mrs. John S. Ellis at her home at Bartow on the Sound has cast a gloom over society in West Chester and caused grave anxiety in the Waterbury family.  The beautiful collie dog, which has been the special pet and companion of its mistress for several years, attacked her most unexpectedly a few days since and inflicted a severe wound on her arm with his teeth.  The animal soon afterward sickened and died, and Mrs. Ellis became so nervous and apprehensive that her medical adviser recommended her to go at once to Paris and put herself under Pasteur's care.  Mr. and Mrs. Ellis therefore sailed in the Arizona.  It is extremely unlikely that any serious consequences will follow, but if the patient can be persuaded in her own mind that M. Pasteur's treatment is infallible, more than half the battle will be won."

Source:  WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOCIETY, The Sun [NY, NY], Jan. 9, 1887, p. 8, col. 7 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"To be Treated by Pasteur.
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NEW YORK, Jan. 5. -- Mrs. John S. Ellis of Bartow-on-the-Sound, a well known society lady, sailed yesterday on the Arizona for Liverpoll and will go thence to Paris to be treated by Pasteur.  She was recently bitten by a pet dog which showed signs of hydrophobia, and while she does not apprehend danger her friends think it best to take all possible precautions."

Source:  To be Treated by Pasteur, The Daily News [Batavia, NY], Jan. 15, 1887, Vol. IX, No. 2,624, p. 1, col. 2.  See also Going to be Treated by Pasteur, Rome Daily Sentinel [Rome, NY], Vol. XV, No. 4,348, p. 3, col. 3 (same text).  

"SOCIETY SMALL TALK. . . .

Mrs. John S. Ellis, 'The Elms,' Bartow on the Sound, will give a dance at her country place tonight.  The guests will include the prominent members of the Country Club.  Pinard will serve the supper."

Source:  SOCIETY SMALL TALK, The Evening Telegram [NY, NY] Oct. 6, 1887, p. 2, col. 4.  

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