CHAPTER XI 



THE CONQUEST OF HYDROPHOBIA 



The annals of hydrophobia form a curious chapter 

 in medical history. This disease was recognized 

 in animals by the ancient Greeks and its transmis- 

 sion from one animal to another through bites was 

 commented on by Aristotle, although he was ap- 

 parently unacquainted with hydrophobia in man. 

 Its uniformly fatal termination after its symptoms 

 became manifest and the frequently horrible suffer- 

 ings that attend its last stages made the disease an 

 object of unusual dread. Remedies for it, like 

 most remedies for most diseases, were entirely use- 

 less. Pliny, in an unconscious approach to the 

 guiding principle of homeopathy, recommended as 

 a cure the liver of a mad dog; and Galen pre- 

 scribed a preparation made from the eyes of cray- 

 fishes. For a time, sea bathing enjoyed a reputa- 

 tion for its curative influence, and various other 

 remedies were employed in the vain hope of allevi- 

 ating the sufferings of the patient. As a boy in 

 Illinois I not infrequently heard stories of people 



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