HYDROPHOBIA FROM SKUNK-BITE. 225 



"The varieties of Mephitis are notorious for the singular battery with 

 which they are provided by nature. It consists of two anal glands 

 from which, by the contraction of sub-caudal muscles, an offensive fluid 

 can be discharged iu thread-like streams, with such accuracy of aim as to 

 strike any object within fifteen feet. This secretion is either colorless, 

 or of a pale yellow hue. It is phosphorescent. Viewed from a safe distance, 

 its discharge looks like a puff of steam or white smoke. Its odor is far more 

 ])ersistent than that of musk. If too freely inhaled it causes intense nausea, ^ 

 followed by distressing gastric cramp. In minute doses it is said to be a^ yy' _ 

 valuable anti-spasmodic. If so, why not experiment with it as a cure for 

 hydrophobic convulsions? It is not known Avhat the effect would be of 

 injecting this fluid beneath the skin. Interesting results might be attained 

 by any one who is willing, in behalf of science, to investigate further in 

 this inviting path ! There certainly seems to be some connection between 

 it and the disease under consideration; for, in every instance, the rabid 

 skunk has either exhausted his mephitic battery, or else has lost the projec- 

 tile force by which it is discharged. Perhaps the secretion is only checked 

 by the feverish state of the system. Possibly there may be a causative con- 

 nection between this inactivity of the anal glands and the generation of 

 malignant virus in the glands of the mouth. 



"An adventure, while on a summer tour amid the Eocky Mountains, first 

 called my attention to the novel class of facts about to be presented. Our 

 camp was invaded by a nocturnal prowler, which proved to be a large coal- 

 black skunk. Anxious to secure his fine silky fur uninjured, I attempted 

 to kill him with small shot, and failed. He made characteristic retaliation; 

 and then, rushing at me with ferocity, he seized the muzzle of my gun 

 between his teeth ! Of course the penalty was instant death. An experienced 

 hunter then startled us by saying that the bite of this animal is invariably 

 fatal, and that when in perfect apparent health it is always rabid. Pie re- 

 sented our incredulity and confirmed his statement by several instances of 

 dogs and men dying in convulsions shortly after being thus bitten. 



"On mentioning this adventure to H. R. Payne, M. D., who had been 

 camping with miners near Cafion City, Col., he said that at night skunks 

 would come into their tent, making a peculiar crying noise, and threatening 

 to attack them. His companions, from Texas and elsewhere, had accounts 

 to give of fatal results following the bite of this animal. 



" Since returning to Kansas City, I have had extensive correspondence with 

 hunters, taxidermists, surgeons and others, by which means the particulars 

 have been obtained of forty-one_case8 of rabies mephiiica, occurring in Vir- 

 ginia, Michigan, Illinois, Ttansas, Missouri, Colorado and Texas. All were 

 fatal except one ; that was the case of a farmer, named Fletcher, living near 

 Gainsville, Texas, who was twice bitten by M. microura [of And. & Bach.= 

 M. mephitica var. — E. C], yet recovered and is living still. On further inquiry 

 it was found that he was aware of his danger, and used prompt preventive 

 treatment. Another case was alleged to be an exception ; that of a dog which 

 was severely bitten in a long fight with a skunk, but whose wounds healed 

 readily aud without subsequent disease. It seems, however, that this dog 

 afterward died with mysterious symptoms like those of hydrophobia in 

 some of its less aggravated forms. 



" Instead of burdening this article with a mass of circumstantial details, 

 15 M 



