25 On Hydrophobia, 



of circulation have rather, on the contrary, been increased 

 by it. It is not unlikely, when we take a view of the action 

 of the other poisons, that there may be a difference in differ- 

 ent cases ; thus, the small-pox is sometimes attended with 

 strong inflammatory symptoms; at other times with great 

 debility ; and this difference not depending on any variety in 

 the poison itself, but on the state of the constitution and 

 other accidental circumstances. I am not able to determine 

 how far the analogy will apply to hydrophobia. That it is 

 sometimes connected with debility cannot be doubted, 

 having occurred in delicate children, in whom the pulse has 

 been weak throughout the whole of the disease. This weak- 

 ness, too, must necessarily be increased by the unhappy state 

 of deglutition, which precludes all nourishment by the mouth. 

 There are several other circumstances also, which are fa- 

 vourable to the idea of debility as connected with this com- 

 plaint : thus, it is well known that some of the most violent 

 convulsive disorders are attended with great debility, and 

 the only method of removing them effectually, is by 

 strengthening the constitution. Again, a fierce and very 

 unmanageable state of delirium occurs in some cases of low 

 fever, where every other symptom points out weakness, and 

 the free use of wine at such times has produced the happiest 

 effects. Although then it is far from my intention to pro- 

 pose debility as explanatory of the symptoms of hydrophobia, 

 yet it appears to be that condition of the body which most 

 generally accompanies it, and which should not be lost 

 sight of in the treatment. 



Method of Treatment. 



I have no hesitation in affirming, that there is no well- 

 marked case of this disorder in which a cure has been ob- 

 tained after the symptoms have made thtair appearance ; 

 and even with regard to the prevention, that there is no 

 method of treatment (that of removing the part excepted) 

 which can in any degree be depended on. 



The disorder has repeatedly occurred after the fullest trial 

 of theOrmskirk and other boasted specifics. And no favour- 

 able conclusion can be drawn from those, instances in 



which 



