232 OUR HUMBLE HELPERS 



with, the -blood through an open wound, causes mad- 

 ness at the end of a certain time. On unbroken 

 skin this saliva has no effect; but on the slightest 

 bleeding scratch it operates in its peculiarly terrible 

 fashion. In short, like other venoms, the saliva of 

 rabies, as it is called, must infiltrate into the blood 

 in order to act. 



4 i This shows you that the bite is less dangerous 

 if made through clothing, especially thick clothing. 

 The fabric can wipe the dog's teeth on the way and 

 retain the venomous saliva; it can even arrest some- 

 what the action of the jaws and prevent the animal's 

 teeth from going in so far. If there is but a slight 

 wound that fails to draw blood, the saliva has not 

 penetrated and there is no danger. 



"The conditions necessary for the development of 

 rabies, namely the mingling of the dog's saliva with 

 our blood and its introduction into our veins, should 

 always be in our minds if we wish to avoid a danger 

 that threatens us even in the midst of seeming se- 

 curity. It is to be noted that in the first stage of 

 the disease the dog is more demonstrative in its 

 affection than usual: the poor beast seems to wish 

 once more to lavish its tokens of attachment on those 

 it loves, before abandoning itself to the transports 

 of fury that will soon be beyond its control. Let 

 us suppose that at this moment you have a slight 

 wound on your hand, and the dog comes, docile and 

 fawning, and lovingly licks the little wound. Its 

 tongue mixes the saliva with your blood ; the terrible 

 venom infiltrates into your veins. Fatal caress! 



