462 THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 



this disease ; others again allow of only two varieties, 

 the raging and the dumb madness ; and a third party 

 will admit of no distinctions ; and, indeed, if we re- 

 flect on the great injury that has at times been done 

 by the mad dog, good sense will dictate that as soon 

 as the symptoms are confirmed, the surest and safest 

 method is to destroy the animal, and the mischief can 

 extend no further. 



The best preventative against this disease, is plenty 

 of water, with occasionally a dose of sulphur ; where 

 the packs of hounds are numerous, all suspected dogs 

 should be immediately detached from the kennel un- 

 til satisfactorily proved 



It may not be amiss to say a few words in this place 

 on hydrophobia when it attacks the human being. 



Of late years, numerous instances have occurred 

 of a cure for this terrible malady. 



Bleeding has been found efficacious in many in- 

 stances ; but this must be continued till fainting suc- 

 ceeds ; and if the first operation has not proved bene- 

 ficial, bleed again : some have treated immediately 

 after this with mercury and opium, but cases have 

 occurred where these last were found unnecessary. 



A gentleman was bitten by a dog aflfected with hy- 

 drophobia, and the animal died in less than twenty- 

 four hours afterwards ; muriatic acid was applied to 

 the bite, which was a very extensive one : decompo- 

 sition of the surface of the wound followed the appli- 

 cation of this mineral acid, and about ten minutes after 

 its application a little diluted alkaline was used to 

 neutralise its effects and stop its action. A fortnight 

 elapsed and the wound was healed, and no bad result 

 accrued : this gentleman invariably afterwards carried 

 3n his person a bottle of the acid, and on another oc- 

 casion, observing a dog bite both a horse and a pig, 



