specific and Contagious Diseases. i6y 



inoculation with a specific virus which has been culti* 

 vated by transmission through other animals, as the ape, 

 until it is deprived of its power to induce rabies, while it 

 renders the individual immune or proof against the 

 disease. In order to ensure the greatest results, frequent 

 inoculation of the same patient is sometimes resorted to, 

 many thousands of persons said to be bitten by rabid 

 dogs having been submitted to the test, with, however, 

 variable success. In the state of present experience it is 

 obvious that the end is not attained, yet in the interest 

 of suffering humanity, as well as the brute creation, the 

 issue of further investigation in other directions is 

 eagerly looked for, and with the fervent hope that the 

 inevitable end will be an irreversible good. 



T/ie Treatment of Rabies. — In La Presse Veterinaire 

 for December 1895, ^- Pourtale invites special attention 

 to his treatment of rabies in the dog, which he states has 

 afforded "absolutely positive results." He employs a 

 mixture of sulphate of soda, chloral hydrate, and decoction 

 of linseed which calms the attacks, and produces a 

 purgative, as well as refreshing action. Enemas of 

 similar character are also used. Recovery, it is said, 

 occurs in eight days generally ; and from his experience, 

 M. Pourtale is persuaded that if the treatment is applied 

 to the human subject affected with hydrophobia it would 

 bring about his recovery. 



Septicsemia,. or Blood Poisoning. In the evident 

 enjoyment of putrid offal and decomposing filth of 

 various kinds, the dog exhibits a remarkable immunity 

 from disease of a fatal character. If, however, he should 

 happen to imbibe the elements of decomposing flesh by 

 means of a wound, the results are more serious. 

 Varying, of course, with the amount of inoculation, he 

 may succumb to an attack of fever of a severe typhoid 

 nature, marked by speedy collapse, or, under less severe 

 blood impregnation, he surprisingly recovers after acute 

 as well as profuse diarrhcea, attended by repulsive 

 odours. This form of septicaemia is most commonly 

 observed in females, when, in protracted parturition, the 

 foetus is undergoing decomposition, and the lining 



