OR MADNESS. 281 



preventive, are already before the public; and, althoug-h I 

 would on no account recommend its being- trusted to when 

 other means, as the destruction of the bitten part, can 



quired for a middling sized dog ; and one-third for a small one. These 

 three doses are said to be sufficient, and one of them is directed to be 

 given every morning fasting. Both hviman and brute subjects are treat- 

 ed in the same manner, according to the proportions specified. 



In the human subject I have never found this remedy produce any 

 effects whatever, except a momentary nausea from disgust. To prevent 

 this disgust operating disadvantageously, the old recipe directs it to 

 be taken by any human person two or three hours before rising, by 

 which method it will be less likely to be brought up again, as otherwise 

 so large and unpleasant a dose might be**. Neither in any animal, ex- 

 cept the dog, have I ever witnessed any violent effects from the exhibi- 

 tion of this remedy. In dogs, however, I have frequently seen it pro- 

 duce extreme nausea, panting, and distress j in two or three instances 

 it has even proved fatal : but, as it is probable that it is more likely to 

 be efficacious when its effects on the constitution are evident, and as, 

 at the same time, it is proper to guard against these effects becoming too 

 violent ; so it is prudent always to begin with a smaller dose than the 

 one prescribed, and to increase each succeeding dose till it shows its ac- 

 tivity, by sickness of the stomach, panting, and evident uneasiness. 

 Under such a plan, perhaps, five doses are not too much. 



Between the years 1807 and 1817, this preparation of box and rue 

 was administered, under my direction, to nearly three hundred ani- 

 mals of different kinds, as horses, cows, sheep, hogs, and dogsff; 



** It is unfortunate that this remedy Jhould be so bulky, and so nauseous. Its 

 balk often renders it difficult to give to a dog, particularly without waste; its nau- 

 seous taste also makes it very liable to be brought up again : eitlier of wliich cir- 

 cumstances must, of course, render its efficacy doubtful. To obviate these incoii- 

 veniences, I have endeavoured to condense the dose, by making an extract of 

 the box, in which plant I believe the efficacy principally, if not wholly, exists. 

 But I have every reason to believe, that its preventive quality is lessened, if not 

 altoget^-er destroyed, by these means. Nor have I succeeded in any other at- 

 tempts at lessening the dose. These inconveniences mast, therefore, be put up 

 with, and the animal must be made to swallow the whole, after which he sliould 

 be attentively watched to observe whether it is retained on the stomach. If such 

 should not be the case, the dose must be repeated until it remains. 



+t I have administered, in the course of my practice, this remedy to nearly 

 fifty human persons also ; but as most of those joined with this treatment the ex- 

 cision or cauterization of the wounded part, and as, in others, the rabid virus 

 would not probably have taken effect, so I lay little stress on these proofs of its 



