HUNTING DIRECTORY. 93 



Hydrophobia. 



though the precise time will be very uncertain ; for so 

 capricious is this malady, that, after infection, it some- 

 times lies dormant, as it were, in the system for months, 

 sometimes for weeks ; while instances, I believe, are not 

 wanting, where it has appeared, in all its terrible symp- 

 toms^ in the course of a few days. 



It is possible that a person might be bitten by a mad 

 dog, and yet escape the hydrophobia : if, in the act of 

 biting, the animal's teeth pass through a thick woollen 

 coat, or other garment, so that his teeth in passing 

 through are wiped dry, he might inflict a wound without 

 any of the infectious saliva or fluid reaching it. 



Respecting the bite of a mad dog, Dr. Vandeburgh 

 very judiciously observes : — " not a moment should be 

 lost to destroy the poison from the wound (even if only 

 on supposition of the animal being mad) ; many reme- 

 dies are recommended, but should not be trusted to ; 

 the only effectual method is to destroy the foundation of 

 the poison, and give the following course of medicine : — 

 the part bitten must be entirely cut out with a sharp in- 

 strument, and the edges of the wound seared with a red- 

 hot iron, to prevent the smallest particle of poison re- 

 maining ; afterwards, warm poultices of oatmeal and 

 water to be applied as warm as the patient can possibly 

 bear, to produce a quick and copious discharge of matter 

 or suppuration. The following pills should be given :— 



Calomel, one scruple 

 opium, half a scruple 



well mixed and divided into ten pills of equal size, one 

 pill to be taken every four hours ; two drams of strong 

 ointment of quicksilver to be wellrubl)ed in on the thighs 



