OR MADNESS. 291 



it fully exerts its baneful influence, that it should undergo 

 some further change. It must return to the part it was 

 originally received by, and it must there occasion a new and 

 specific infiammation, the consequence of which is the pro- 

 duction of some new morbid compound generated by this 

 secondary inflammation ; and it is the absorption of this 

 compound that is alone capable of producing rabies or hy- 

 drophobia. Consequently, when the part, that was origi- 

 nally bitten, has been removed, either by cauterization or 

 excision, no secondary inflammation can take place. The 

 first received virus remains inert, for it is incapable of acting 

 on any other than the original wound. 



This fact being fully established, will tend, I hope, to ba- 

 nish much misery and apprehension relative to any time which 

 may intervene between the bite and the removal of the bitten 

 part. It matters not, I again repeat, at what time this 

 is effected, or how long soever it may be after the bite has 

 been received, provided it be done before any secondary in- 

 flammation of the part or uneasy sensation is felt in it. 



I cannot help manifesting an extreme anxiety to impress 

 this important fact on the public mind, solely with a view to 

 remove those false impressions which have embittered months 

 and years of the existence of many valuable members of so- 

 ciety. I have entered more into a general detail on this in- 

 teresting subject of the rabid malady than on any other, 

 from a conviction of its importance to the welfare of the 

 brute race, and to both the welfare and peace of mankind in 

 general. Not only are the lives of thousands of human per- 

 sons rendered miserable by the false impressions entertained 

 relative to it, but the whole race of dogs is, by many, feared 

 and hated solely on this account. Others, again, though na- 

 turally fond of dogs, yet dare not indulge in the pleasure of 

 their association, from the dread that, at some future time, 

 these groundless fears may be realized ; for surely it is not 

 too much to call these fears groundless, when it is known 

 that no dog can become mad from fright, anger, pain, or 

 illness. Nothing but the actual bite of certain animals in a 



