338 THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 



the nature of whose disease there could be no question. It is absolutely essential 

 that the caustic should be brought in contact with every particle of the exposed 

 surface. When, from the extent or situation of the wound, the nitrate of silver 

 stick cannot be effectually employed, fuming nitric acid may be used. Abercromby 

 was in these cases an enthusiastic advocate for the use of the knife. He advised 

 that a skewer should be cut as nearly as possible into the shape of the dog's tooth, 

 and insert it into the cavity which it had made. He then by a bold sweep cut out 

 the skewer and the whole of the surrounding tissue in which it was contained, 

 taking the greatest care that every portion with which the tooth had come in 

 contact was thoroughly removed. Many people nowadays would entertain a very 

 decided objection to such energetic treatment, even although all pain might be 

 avoided by the performance of the operation under chloroform. In the absence of 

 a skilled surgeon the application of a red-hot poker or Italian iron is to be preferred. 

 If freely applied it is almost certain to confer absolute immunity. The pain of the 

 application is probably very much less than is usually supposed. Another plan is 

 to cover the part with gunpowder and then explode it. 



"VVe must now consider the mode of treatment to be adopted when the disease 

 has fully declared itself. Most medical writers on this subject are sufficiently 

 explicit, for they affirm their utter unbelief in any method of treatment. " No 

 specific method of treatment has been shown to have the slightest influence in 

 checking or modifying this disease from which, in all probability, no one ever 

 recovered." " There is no w r ell-authenticated case on record in which a hydrophobia 

 person has recovered." " The physician that cures is Death." Such are the opinions 

 of some of our most eminent physicians and writers on medicine. We must admit, 

 however, that we are not prepared to receive their verdict as final. If we were 

 suffering from hydrophobia we should by no means be prepared to lie down and 

 await the bitter end. Cases of recovery have been recently recorded, and as long 

 as there is life there is hope. 



We believe that sufficient evidence has been adduced in favour of our common 

 box (Buxus sempervirens) as a remedy for hydrophobia to justify its employment 

 with a certain amount of confidence. It is, moreover, the active ingredient in many 

 of the secret remedies which have obtained a reputation for the cure of this disease. 



The Groombridge recipe, which was for several generations in the possession of 

 a family living in the neighbourhood of Uxbridge, was some three or four years ago 

 purchased at the instigation of a medical man who had had many opportunities of 

 witnessing its beneficial effects, and had published an account of several successful 

 cases which had occurred under his immediate observation. It was found to consist 

 of the terminal branches and leaves of box, of fetid hellebore, primrose roots, 

 gascoigne powder (a mixture of crabs' claws, hartshorn shavings, and amber), jalap, 

 and carbonate of iron. The primrose roots were not considered essential, and had 

 been omitted for some years. 



The Birling remedy, which in popular estimation has obtained a reputation as 

 great, or even greater, than the Groombridge, is said to- consist of box, stagger wort, 

 primrose roots, bears'-foot, powder of white gashen, jalap, and steel. 



The mass of evidence in favour of the beneficial effects of these remedies, in 



