158 Facts relating to Hydrophobia. 
is not safe for persons having fractured skin, or open wounds to ap- 
proach, or handle them, either for the purpose of administering med- 
icine, or for the operation of skinning. It is better in all cases to 
sacrifice the small value of the skin, than to endanger life in attempt-. 
ing to save it. Nor can the hides of such animals, be safely handled 
for the purpose of dressing. It is unsafe for persons free from wounds, 
to approach such animals, just in proportion as they are in danger of 
being wounded, or in any way liable to take the poison. 
If substantially the same poison rages in beasts of the forest, in 
domestic animals, and in human beings: as is evident from the same- 
ness of its effects—if it is transmissible from one species of animals 
to another, and from them to human beings, as facts clearly prove 5 
then it is reasonable to conclude, that it may be transmitted from one 
human being to another. On this ground, the greatest caution is 
required ho have the care of the victims of this disease. 
It is impr for persons having uncovered wounds of any descrip- 
tion, to attend on the human victim afflicted with this disease. ~ The 
poisonous mucus or saliva may be, and often, if not always, is thrown 
to every part of the room in which he is confined. It may strike @ 
small uncovered wound, and be as effectually transmitted, as from 
the tooth of a fox, a wolf, or a dog. The utmost care is requisite 
on the part of attendants, not only to avoid bites, but to prevent the 
ingress of the virus, in any quantity through an aperture of the skins 
The time during which the virus lurks in the human system, has 
been stated, not to be short of ten days, nor to exceed nineteet 
months. ‘This statement was the result of an observation of sd 
given number of cases. Facts, however, are not wanting, | 
that it acts short of the least term, and lurks beyond the greatest. 
The time of lurking may depend on the stage of the disease in 
the animal, or fiiiad being from whom the poison is transmitted 5 
it being reasonable to conclude, that if taken in the earlier stages 
the disease, it will be less likely to operate soon, than if taken, 
when the disease has reached its maximum, or in the later stages 
qt may % also depend on the quantity as well as on the power of the virus 
itted.* Both these circumstances may, in different individuals, 
* In reference to the four cases of supposed. hydrophobia, stated in part I, of this 
count, it is an gee fact, that the person bitten by the dog, was bitten on the 
frst day of the appearance of the disease in the dog; and pe the three W 
bitten by this person, Were all bitten in the eee stages of his disease, and di - : 
manifestation of his Se bite; and that beghomege 7% 
the one who died first, was more se ere than on tk ither of the others, and the 
on the one who died last the slightest of the three. 
