THE BOG. 93 



t>e mad, or that the disease was not sufficiently ad- 

 vanced to communicate infection ; also, if the dog had 

 to bite through any thickness of garments, his teeth 

 might be thus rubbed so clean, as not to insert the 

 smallest particle of the infectious saliva or virus. 



The -disorder is communicated (according to my 

 idea at least) by the contamination of the blood the 

 following comparison may perhaps serve the best to 

 elucidate it : By suffering a drop of muddy water to 

 fall into a bason of clear water, we see how soon the 

 latter becomes polluted ; yet, if by a spoon or other 

 instrument, the impure particles are taken out imme- 

 diately, the water in the bason will still remain clear. 

 Taking it for granted the hydrophobia is thus im- 

 parted (and I am persuaded it is), one obvious me- 

 thod of prevention at least presents itself: Should 

 any person, for example, be bit in the end of the fin- 

 ger, immediate amputation a little above the bitten 

 part, would, most assuredly answer the purpose ; in 

 the same manner as the muddy water was prevented 

 from fouling the clear. Certainly there are means of 

 clarifying water, let it be rendered ever so impure ; 

 but should the blood become wholly contaminated 

 \vith the venom, or whatever it may be called, of the 

 hydrophobia, little hopes can be entertained of any 

 thing at present known being able to purify it. 



That the nature of the hydrophobia is by no means 

 understood will readily be allowed ; and one circum- 

 stance in particular attending it appears inscrutable, 

 namely, the precise time of its appearance after in- 



