THE DOG. 95 



other dog : if the animal refuse to eat the bread, it 

 is a strong proof that the other was mad j on the con- 

 trary, should he eat it, you may rest satisfied he was 

 not so : this is asserted, and generally obtains credit ; 

 but I have never tried the experiment. 



I would strongly recommend to my readers always 

 to have their puppies wormed (which prevents a dog 

 in this state from biting, as before described), and 

 whenever the hydrophobia makes its appearance to 

 destroy the animal. If either man or beast has been 

 bitten by a mad dog, I arn of opinion, that the only 

 way to prevent the effects so much to be dreaded, is 

 the immediate application of the lancet, all medi- 

 cines hitherto discovered having proved abortive. As 

 to the Ormskirk medicine, it has deservedly fallen 

 into disrepute ; and / have witnessed its absolute but 

 dreadful inefficacy, 



Should a dog be supposed to have been bitten by 

 a mad dog, and certain proof be wanting of the ani- 

 mal which bit him being mad, the case is very dis- 

 agreeable ; as the precise time for taking effect has 

 never been, nor perhaps ever will be, ascertained : 

 you might therefore keep your suspected dog confined 

 for -many months, and still remain in uncertainty. 



In closing this subject, I shall merely observe, that 

 various medicines have been prescribed for the cure 

 of this most dreadful disorder ; but as I am certain 

 they are unavailing, I shall forbear enumerating 

 them ; however, I am decidedly of opinion, that, by 

 having the bitten part immediately cut out, infection 



