24-6 RABIES CANINA, 



My opinions on the efficacy of the huxus or box as a prophy- 

 lactic of rabies have been long before the public ; and if palpable 

 failures have convinced me that, like all other means of preven- 



Chop thesis finely, and, after boiling them in a pint of water to half a pint, 

 strain and press out the liquor. Beat them in a mortar, or otherwise bruise 

 them thoroughly, and boil them again, in a pint of new milk, to half a pint, 

 which press out as before. After this, mix both the boiled liquors, which will 

 make three doses for a human subject. Double this quantity will form three 

 doses for a horse or cow ; fwo-thirds of it is sufficient for a large dog, calf, 

 sheep, or hog : half of the quantity is required for a middling-sized dog ; and 

 one-third for a small one. These three doses are said to be sufficient, and one 

 of them is directed to be given every morning fasting. Both human and 

 brute subjects are treated in the same manner, according to the proportions 

 specified. 



In the human I haye never found this reputed remedy to produce any effects 

 whatever, except a momentary nausea from disgust : to prevent 'which from 

 operating disadvantageously, the old recipe directs it to be taken two or three 

 hours before rising, by which method it will be less likely to be brought up 

 again, as otherwise so large and unpleasant a dose might be. Neither in any 

 animal except the dog have I ever witnessed any violent effects from its ex- 

 hibition. In dogs, however, I have frequently seen it produce extreme nausea, 

 panting, and distress ; in two or three instances it has even proved fatal : but, 

 as it is probable that it is more likely to be efficacious when its effects on the 

 constitution are evident ; and as, at the same time, it is proper to guard against 

 these effects becoming too violent ; so it is prudent always to begin with a 

 smaller dose than the one prescribed, and to increase each succeeding one 

 until it shews its activity by sickness of the stomach, panting, and evident un- 

 easiness. Under such a plan, perhaps, five doses are not too much. 



Between the years 1807 and 1817, this preparation was administered, under 

 my direction, to nearly three hundred animals of different kinds, as horses, 

 cows, sheep, hogs, and dogs* ; the latter in by far the greater proportion. It 

 may naturally be presumed, that ungrounded fear operated in some instances, 

 and that it was given to animals who were suspected only to have been in 



• I have administered, in the course of my practice, this remedy to nearly fifty human 

 persons also ; but as most of those joined with this treatment the excision or cauteriza- 

 tion of the wounded part, and as in others the rabid virus would not probably have taken 

 effect, so I lay little stress on these proofs of its efficacy ; although three or four of these 

 persons, at their own express desire, trusted solely to it. Mr. Youatt also remarks on 

 the properties of the box, "That it had undeniable efficacy in preventing the disease. 

 The majority of the dogs to whom it was exhibited were saved." 



