214' RABIES CANINA, 



frame, generally, is sometimes less ajjt than at others to receive 

 the contagion, dependent probably on a constitutional idiosyncrasy 

 generated within, or gathered from, the operation of external cir- 

 cumstances, as peculiarity of situation, variations in temperature, 

 qualities in aliment, &q. &c. Not only do facts coincide with this 

 opinion, but it is impossible otherwise to account for the epide- 

 mial as well as endemial character which the rabid malady some- 

 times assumes*. 



TTie inte^'vening time between the inoculation hy the rabid bite 

 and the appearance of the consequent disease, is very variable in 



inoculated : but the inferior predisposition in man to receive the contagion ex- 

 onerates still more. Out of twenty persons bitten by one dog, Mr. Hunter 

 informs us (although no prophylactics were employed), one only became hy- 

 drophobous. Dr. Vaughan relates, that between twenty and thirty persons 

 were bitten by another dog, out of which number, also, one only was infected. 

 If it were, however, possible to credit the accounts of the ravages of wolves, 

 we might be led to believe that a superior degree of certainty attended the 

 contagion, even to the human subject, when received from them. Mons. 

 Trolliet relates, that of twenty-three persons bitten by a wolf, thirteen were 

 infected with the disease. In the Mim. de la Soc. Roy. de Mid. p. 122, men- 

 tion is made of two human persons, with many horses and cows, being bitten 

 by a rabid wolf in September 1772, and that every one of these became af- 

 fected. Baudot, also, gives an account of no less than forty oxen, cows, horses, 

 dogs, &c,, bitten by a mad wolf in the month of June 1765, the majority of 

 which died. I might multiply these instances, handed down to us by the indus- 

 try of collators; but the authorities are, in general, so dubious, that they 

 should be received with caution. It, however, may be admitted, that as the 

 wolf usually attacks the face, which is not only uncovered, but, it is probable, 

 is more certainly and more quickly acted on than other parts of the body, so 

 in this way greater danger may arise from the rabid wolf than the rabid dog. 

 "• I have before hinted, that accidental circumstances may hasten the attack, 

 particularly as would appear by excitements of the vascular system. Thus it 

 follows extraordinary exercise ; and the oestrum or heat of bitches will rouse 

 the dormant poison into action. The certainty of the attack is also, I believe, 

 greatly increased, as well as hastened, according to the part bitten. I have 

 very seldom known any animal escape which was bitten in the head or face ; 

 and I have, in almost every instance, observed less time to intervene in these 

 cases than in such as were bitten elsewhere ; and the same has been noticed by 

 others also. 



