284 
ON RABIES CANINA. 
fluids that circulated around it, and thus increased in bulk; and at 
length, according to a law of chemistry, supplied by quantity 
that which it wanted in strength of affinity. 
Whatever be the modus operandij the parts in contact with the 
virus at length respond to the stimulus applied to them. The 
cicatrix generally begins to itch, and inflammation spreads 
around it. The diligent licking of some pail where the mark of a 
bite can be traced, is an early and frequent symptom of rabies in the 
dog. The absorbents are now called into more powerful action. 
They begin to attack even the virus. A portion of the morbific 
matter is taken up and carried into the circulation, and disease and 
death ensue. . . 
At what period of time does this fatal activity commence? It 
is different in different individuals and different animals. While 
the rabid virus lurks in the frame, any thing that produces consi¬ 
derable excitation in the system, or that renders the nervous fibres, 
or the textures generally, suddenly and highly irritable, may rouse 
it to action. These causes may even rouse to activity that which 
would otherwise have never possessed sufficient power to affect 
the constitution. There are several instances of this in the annals 
of human medicine. If the pregnant bitch becomes rabid, it is 
within two or three days of parturition. The bitch not in pup is 
often attacked during the period of oestrum. 
Most strange and contradictory accounts are given of the time 
between the bite and the appearance of hydrophobia in the human 
being. Some have asserted that it has appeared on the san.ie 
day, or within two or three days. We should be at no loss under 
what class of nervous diseases to rank affections like these. 
Dr. Bardesley relates a case in which twelve years elapsed 
between the bite and the disease. If it may lurk so long as 
this in the constitution, it is a most lamentable and dreadful 
affair. If the sword may be so long suspended over the patient, 
his situation is most pitiable. 
With the exception, however, of another case, and that of apo¬ 
cryphal character, and in which nineteen years are said to have 
intervened. Dr. Bardesley’s account stands alone; and it is ad¬ 
duced by him to establish a particular hypothesis. 
M. Bresa mentions a case, but clearly not one of rabies, in which 
five years and a half elapsed between the bite and the disease. 
There is an authenticated case related by Mr. Nourse, in which 
nineteen months passed, a sufficient length of time for the patient 
and his friends to endure the torture of suspense. 
The usual time, I believe, is calculated at about six weeks, 
or extending from three weeks (Dr. Mason Good says ten or 
twelve days) to six or seven months. 
