254 . RABIES CANINA, 



also of necessity be more than sufficient to decompose the animal 

 Jluids also, and totally deprive them of any morbid activity ; and 

 this we find to be actually the case with rabid virus mixed with 

 even diluted caustic matter, as has been exemplified in the experi- 

 ments of Huzard, Dr. Zinke, and others, where such matter en- 

 tirely failed to excite rabies : it must, however, be acknowledged 

 that all these experiments require repetition. 



Excision of the part) after the rabid bite, is practised by most 

 of our eminent surgeons of the present day, in preference to cau- 

 terization. I have no doubt but that they do so on principle ; 

 but I have never yet seen occasion to alter my preference of the 

 caustic : and Mr. Youatt, whose practice has been very extensive 

 in these cases, gives it his decided approbation also. It must, 

 however, at last rest in a conviction that each of these modes may 

 be supposed at some times the preferable one, and that occasions 

 will occur where they may be advantageously united. As each 

 claims some advantages over the other, so each also owns some 

 disadvantages. A skilful surgeon, therefore, will bind himself to 

 neither, but will act according to circumstances. The partizans 

 for the use of the knife argue, that the operation of excision is 

 quicker, and can be applied more extensively. It is certainly, 

 where much is to be done, more quickly performed ; but when it 

 is so done, unless perfect ablution has removed all surrounding 

 virus, may not the very instrument which is to insure life be sow- 

 ing the seeds of death, by making a fresh morbid inoculation at 

 every section ? To prevent this, therefore, when excision is abso- 

 lutely necessary, it is prudent, after every stroke of the knife, to 

 wipe the blade carefully ; but it would still more certainly avoid 

 danger were the whole excised cavity well soaked with a caustic 

 fluid, as a strong dilution of nitric acid : and, after all, it would 

 make surety double, were the whole surface touched with the lunar 

 caustic^. Towards animals, particularly of the larger kinds, 



^ In one of the engagements between the English and French in the ex- 

 pedition to the Helder, a spent bullet tore away some substance from the root 

 of the nail of the ring finger of my right hand, which wound, after -it had 

 healed, left an indented surface of extreme sensibility. This part was to prove 



