OR MADNESS. 233 



Another popular prejudice equally absurd, thoug-h some- 

 what less dangerous than the preceding-, likewise generally 



well in the brute as the human subject, and as one by which it may be 

 infallibly known j but this opinion is so utterly at variance with the 

 truth, that rabid dogs, instead of shewing any dread of water, in most 

 instances seek it with avidity, and lap it incessantly. It is incalculable 

 the mischief that this universal prejudice has produced j it has rendered 

 thousands of persons miserable for months and years even, while others 

 it has lulled into a fatal security. Should a dog, from an affection of 

 any kind soever, be prevented from swallowing-, he is immediately 

 pronounced mad, and is unreluctantly destroyed j while horror after- 

 wards pervades the mind of every one who has been within his reach. 

 Nor are the unfortunate persons, who have been bitten by this same 

 dog for months or years even before, exempt from the panic; for, among 

 other common errors that are current, it is believed that, if a dof be- 

 comes mad, any person, who may have been formerly bitten by the ani- 

 mal when in perfect health, is equally in danger, as though ife had hap- 

 pened when the animal was really affected. 



On the other hand, if a dog, under any complaint, can drink, he is 

 pronounced free from all danger of madness 3 and so universal has this 

 opinion been, that Dr. H., an eminent physician now in very extensive 

 practice in the western part of London, who was consulted by a person 

 bitten, immediately inquired whether the dog by which he had been 

 wounded could drink ; and, on being informed that he could, he pe- 

 remptorily pronounced that there was no danger of madness, and ac- 

 tually recommended that no precautions whatever might be made use of. 

 This gentleman was guilty of a piece of professional presumption and 

 ignorance unworthy his rank and situation ; and his advice, had it been 

 followed, might have caused the death of three persons. Fortunately 

 for them, his opinion was not attended to, and I dissected the wounded 

 parts out of each of them. In five weeks, an unfortunate spaniel, who 

 had been bitten by this same dog, became rabid ; and in six weeks a 

 horse, bitten by him, became so likewise. 



Whi'e these sheets were preparing for the press, a similar instance of 

 error in this particular occurred in the practice of Mr. Youatt, to whom 

 a dog unquestionably rabid was brought by a poor woman, whose 

 hands were excoriated by a breaking out, and had been licked by the 

 dog. On Mr. Y.'s intimation that it was necessary she should use some 

 precaution, she applied to a medical gentleman, who assured her, that 

 if the dog attempted to drink he was not mad, and no precautions were 

 necessary. This opinion was likewise confirmed by another person who 

 pretends to some veterinary knowledge, 



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