Ill 



Art IX. ANALYSIS OF SCIENTIFIC BOOKS. 



I. Practical Observations on Hydrophobia, with a Review of the Re- 

 medies employed, and Suggestions for a different Treatment of that 

 Disease. Bt/ John Booth, M.D., one of the Physicians to the 

 Birmingham General Hospital, &c. &c. 



So many cases of hydrophobia, and all, with one very doubtful 

 exception, of fatal termination, have lately occurred in and about 

 the metropolis, that we think it right to use our humble endea- 

 vours to draw attention to the subject, with a view of pointing out 

 the most eifectual preventive means to be employed, and of in- 

 quiring how far any of the hitherto-proposed remedies are de- 

 serving of confidence. This we are happy to do through the medium 

 of Dr. Booth's very unpretending pamphlet. 



It appears from a variety of evidence, that the complete exci- 

 sion of the bitten part, provided it be performed before ab- 

 sorption has taken place, is an effectual preventive of the acces- 

 bion of the disease; but practitioners seem by no means to have 

 made up their minds as to the extent of delay which in such cases 

 may take place, and many lives have been sacrificed to this uncer- 

 tainty; indeed, it appears that the entire and immediate removal 

 of the bitten parts affords the only ground of perfect security. 

 But as this, from a variety of causes, is not always attainable, it 

 becomes a question how far caustic applications of any kind can 

 be depended on. Although we agree with our author, that if ex- 

 cision has been effectually accomplished the application of caustic 

 is not only unnecessary but also mischievous, we apprehend that 

 in cases of slight and superficial wounds from the teeth of a rabid 

 animal, some kinds of caustic md^y prove as effectual as excision, 

 and the caustic which we would particularly recommend is the 

 nitric acid ; the fluidity of which would enable it to penetrate into 

 the wounds, while its extreme energy of action on animal sub- 

 stances would probably be exerted in the decomposition of the 

 poison itself. This we by no means recommend as a substitute for 

 excision, but as a remedy which may possibly sometimes be 

 within our reach, where the skilful and proper cutting out of the 

 part cannot be immediately resorted to. 



Whenever these certain means of relief are neglected, and 

 the disease unhappily has proceeded to develop itscll, it becomes 

 a question whether any, and what, remedies should be resorted 

 to. In the treatment of hydrophobia there are four principles or 

 plans upon which physicians seem to have proceeded. 



1. That of stimulating and supporting the '«i'^' power, so as to 

 enable it to obtain a triumph in the severe conflict to which it is 

 exposed. 



