OR CANINE MADNESS. 255 



where dispatch is requisite, and where deformity and a destruc- 

 tion of parts are not of so much consequence, excision may be 

 considered preferable. In the neighbourhood of large bloodves- 

 sels, nerves, &c., it is evident that the knife must be used with ex- 

 treme caution ; whereas the caustic may be applied freely with 

 much less fear, as the eschar which starts up protects the parts 

 underneath, and enables them to reinstate themselves previously 

 to sloughing, if they should be slightly injured. The caustic gives 

 little pain, and, by removing the slough formed, it may be carried 

 to any depth, and to any extent, with the certainty of destroying 

 the virus as it proceeds. 



The flow of blood, during excision^ is very apt to obstruct a 

 proper and clear view of the extent of the injury ; and a conse- 

 quence follows, which I have frequently witnessed among sur- 

 geons in operations on the human subject, which is the removal of 

 a much larger quantity of substance than is absolutely necessary. 

 With the caustic, nothing of this kind happens : proceeding delibe- 

 rately, every portion of wounded surface is taken in succession, 

 until the whole inoculated part is destroyed, but no more. 



the heel of Achilles to me ; for exactly in the centre of this hollow did a rahid 

 terrier indent its fang very deeply. Sensible of the danger accruing from a 

 bite received in a part already so susceptible, I knew I had little prospect of 

 safety without destroying all the parts around. I immediately, therefore, 

 after well washing it, scooped out a portion, which embraced the sides of the 

 cavity made by the tooth, and which penetrated also beyond the extent of its 

 point. Into this I poured nitric acid ; and then having dried it, I passed a 

 blunt point of nitrate of silver over the whole surface, and forcibly pressed it 

 into the bottom of the wound. As the eschar formed and hardened, I raised 

 it, and renewed the application. It was not until an hour Mid a half thus pain- 

 fully occupied that I considered myself safe. I was also twice bitten after- 

 wards, to which wounds I simply applied the lunar caustic, as they were more 

 superficial : but I am led to detail the practice I pursued in the first case, 

 purposely to shew that excision and cauterization may be with great propriety 

 united : for though I greatly prefer the caustic in general cases, yet here was 

 one wherein, without enlarging the wound by the scalpel, it might have been 

 difficult to have passed the caustic to the requisite depth ; or to have removed 

 what I considered was necessary of the former morbidly tender sides of the old 

 wound. 



