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 ; 

 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 of those who have the care of the victims of this disease. 

 It is imprudent 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 a 

 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 skin. 



The time during which the virus lurks in the human system, has 

 been stated, not to be short of ten days, nor to exceed nineteen 

 months. This statement was the result of an observation of a 

 given number of cases. Facts, however, are not wanting, to prove 

 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 human being from whom the poison is transmitted ; 

 it being reasonable to conclude, that if taken in the earlier stages of 

 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. 

 It may also depend on the quantity as well as on the power of the virus 

 transmitted.* Both these circumstances may, in different individuals, 



" In reference to the four cases of supposed hydrophobia, stated in part I, of this 

 account, it is an ascertained fact, that the person bitten by the dog, was bitten on the 

 first day of the appearance of the disease in the dog; and that the three who were 

 bitten by this person, were all bitten in the earlier stages of his disease, and during 

 the first manifestation of his disposition to bite ; and that the wound, inflicted on 

 the one who died first, was more severe than oti either of the others, and the wound 

 on the one who died last the slightest of the three. 



