HYDROPHOBIA. 315 



the limb on which the vaccination is performed, swells to such a degree as to be ex- 

 tremely painful to the patient, and sometimes even alarming to the operator. In others, 

 again, no visible effect is produced until they have undergone the operation two or 

 three times, and then the disease develops itself fully and with great rapidity. 



A rather remarkable circumstance connected with this subject took place within the 

 last few years. A rabid Dog contrived to bite a large number of victims, including 

 other Dogs, sheep, oxen, and human beings ; a surgeon attended the human sufferers, 

 and treated the wounds by the severe application of nitrate of silver. All were treated 

 in the same manner, but although the greater number escaped without further injury, 

 several died from Hydrophobia ; and all those in whom the disease made itself mani- 

 fest were light-haired persons, while those who escaped had dark hair. 



The mode of treatment in such dire necessity is fortunately very simple, and can be 

 applied by any one who is possessed of sufficient nerve and presence of mind. A 

 piece of nitrate of silver, or lunar caustic, as it is popularly called, should be cut to a 

 point like a common cedar-pencil, and applied to every part of the wound that can be 

 reached. In default of the caustic, a hot iron, such as a steel fork, a knitting-needle, 

 a skewer, or any similar household article, may be heated to a glowing redness, and 

 applied in the same manner. The iron should be as hot as possible, for it is effica- 

 cious in proportion to its temperature, and is not nearly so painful in application if the 

 heat is sufficiently powerful to destroy the nerves at once. A white-hot iron will not 

 cause nearly so much suffering as if it were applied at a dull red heat. 



Washing the injured part, applying cupping-glasses to the wound, and cutting away 

 the surrounding portions, have been recommended by some writers, but are strongly 

 condemned by men of large practical experience. They say that the water which is 

 used for the purpose of washing away the poisonous substance will only dilute it, and 

 render it more fluid for the blood to take up ; that the application of a cupping-glass 

 will only draw blood into the wound, and so cause the mixture of the poison with the 

 system ; and that in using the knife the blood which runs from the newly-made inci- 

 sion is apt to overflow into the poisoned locality, and so to convey the venom into the 

 circulation by mixing with the fast-flowing blood as it bathes the enlarged wound. 



There are few localities in England in which does not linger some old tradition of 

 healing springs, or holy wells, whose waters are gifted with the blessed power of re- 

 moving diseases, or of endowing the faithful applicant with mental or bodily accomplish- 

 ments7 A little below Gloucester is a ferry across the Severn, known by the name of 

 the " Hock Crib," which is famous for its powers of healing men or animals which 

 have been bitten by a rabid Dog. If one of these fearful animals has been detected 

 among a flock of sheep, the whole flock is taken to be dipped in the " Hock Crib," 

 even though none of them have been proved to have suffered from the bite of the Dog. 

 Should man, ox, or sheep be bitten by a mad Dog, the sufferer has immediate recourse 

 to the healing waters of this place as soon as possible after the infliction of the injury. 

 After the ninth day, the charmed stream is said to lose its efficacy, and all sufferers 

 from this evil are recommended to make trial of this aqueous remedy before the third 

 day has elapsed. 



When cattle of any kind are brought to be dipped, they are forced into the water 

 until they are quite out of their depth, and then are pushed under water by means of 

 a prong passed over their necks, until they are nearly drowned. This curious treat- 

 ment is repeated until the poor animal is quite exhausted, and is said to be of unfail- 

 ing efficacy. 



The ferrymen take upon themselves the task of dipping the patients, and it is prob- 

 ably on account of their unfailing presence, and the accommodation that is afforded 

 for the object, that the Hock Crib is chosen for the purpose of dipping the afflicted 

 animals. 



There are one or two curious circumstances connected with this subject. It is said 

 that the disease of Hydrophobia never originates with the female Dog ; and, moreover, 

 that it is most commonly found in the fighting Dogs, and those animals which are kept 

 for the illicit destruction of game. In Africa, and several other hot countries, the 

 malady is unknown, although the animals swarm in very great numbers, and are ex- 



