282 SYSTEM OF KENNEL AND 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 



Various prescriptions for the cure of hydrophobia — Oliver Goldsmith's 

 opinion — Dogs having fits and distemper often condemned as mad 

 — Our terrier on the moor. 



In the last chapter on this subject we gave the 

 results of our experience and observation when the 

 poison had once entered into the system, and we 

 believe when that has been the case, there is no 

 cure that has ever been discovered. We had no 

 means of ascertaining when and where the hounds 

 had been bitten which died from hydrophobia, but 

 as they must have been bitten some days before they 

 exhibited symptoms of the malady, we felt powerless 

 to avert the consequences. We could only palliate 

 the paroxysms. But in regard to our feeder, whose 

 arm was perforated through and through, the op- 

 portunity presented itself of taking active measures 

 immediately, which prevented its breaking out, and 

 then, after nine years, in a very mitigated form. 

 Our opinion is, that if remedies were applied in- 

 stantly, as soon as the bite is inflicted, by means 

 of hot-water fomentations first, and cauterizing the 

 part afterwards, that the power of the venom would 

 be subdued to a very great extent, if not entirely 

 blotted out; and that, at any rate, is something 

 gained. To the bite of a viper we have used sweet 



