224 NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE. 



The article attracted considerable attention, from the nov- 

 elty of the views put forth, and the intrinsic importance of 

 the subject. 



Some months afterward Dr. Janeway replied in an elaborate 

 article, detailing cases and criticising Mr. Hovey's views, com- 

 ing to the conclusion '^that the malady produced by mephitic 

 virus is simply hydrophobia". Following are the two articles 

 in question in full : — 



[From Aiuer. Joarc. Sci. and Art, 3d ser. vol. vii. no. 41, art. xliv. pp. 477-433, May, 1874.] 

 "Babies ITejyhitica : by Bev. Horace C. Horey, 1/. A. 



"My subject concorus alike medical science and natural history. Far 

 wliile proving the existence of a new disease, some singular facts will be 

 brought to light about a familiar member of the American Fauna. It is 

 cruel to add aught to the odium already attached to the common skunk 

 (Mephitis meplutiea Shaw ; M. chinga Tiedemauu).. But, clearly, he is as dan- 

 gerous as he is disagreeable. In a wild state he is by no means the weak, 

 timid, harmless creature commonly described by naturalists; although it is 

 said that, if disarmed of his weapons of offence while young, he may be 

 safely domesticated. 



"A peculiar poison is sometimes contained in the saliva of animals be- 

 longing to the canine and feline families, the production of which, it has 

 been generally supposed, is limited to them. Other animals, of the same or 

 of different species, may be inoculated with this virus ; the result being a 

 mysterious malady, which men have observed from the days of Homer and 

 Aristotle, but which has never been either cured or understood. This 

 frightful disease has been called, from its origin. Babies canina, and from 

 one of its symptoms, hydrophobia. Probably it is not communicable by any 

 species but those with which it originates. A few instances have been re- 

 corded to the contrary ; but they were so imperfectly observed as merely to 

 stimulate us to further investigation. It is stated by the best medical 

 writers (e. g., Watson, Gross, and Aitken), as an undeniable fact, that no 

 instance is known of hydrophobia having been communicated from one 

 human being to another, although many patients, in their spasms, have 

 bitten their attendants. An interesting case, but inconclusive, being the 

 only one of its kind, is reported by M. Guillery, in which an aged man expe- 

 rienced spontaneous hydrophobia (Bulletin of Belgian Academy, No. 8, 

 1871). In such exceptional instances there may have been previous inocula- 

 tion, unnoticed or forgotten ; for the least particle of this deadly poison 

 will be eflicient, and yet it is always tardy in its period of incubation. 



"The facts now collated will show, it is thought, one of two things, 

 either that the hydrophobic virus is both generated and communicated by 

 some of the Mustelida' as well as the Felidie and Canidce ; or else, that a new 

 disease has been discovered, which generically resembles Babies canina, while 

 differing from it specifically. My judgment favofs the latter opinion, de- 

 cidedly, for reasons to be adduced ; and accordingly I may name this new 

 malady, from the animal in whose saliva it is generated. Babies Mephitica. 



