ON RABIES CANINA. 
126 
pansions, radiating from the surfaces, both superior and inferior, 
of the sternum to their extremities; 2d, Capsular membranes , 
inclosing the extremities within their sockets. 
The several portions of the sternum are united, one to another, 
by fibro-cartilaginous interpositions; and their union is strength¬ 
ened by the ligamentary expansions upon the surface, internal as 
well as external. The anterior bone is surmounted by a cartilage 
of considerable breadth, which extends in a curvature upwards, 
not unlike the form of the keel of a ship ; hence it has got the 
name of the car in form cartilage. 
[To be continued.] ^ 
ON RABIES CANINA, 
By W. Youatt. 
[Continued from page 90.] 
I CAN conceive that cases may occur in which the knife or the 
caustic may have been freely used, and yet the surgeon may not 
be assured that every portion of the wound has been destroyed, 
or that re-inoculation may not have been produced by the very 
operation. Amputation may be impracticable, or it would deprive 
the patient of all means of subsistence. 
Are there other auxiliary preventives ? Are there drugs which 
may neutralise the virus, or render the constitution insensible to 
its power ? 
I am fully aware that the imputation of quackery is generally 
associated with the recommendation of these preventives, and that 
the regular surgeon is with difficulty brought to adopt them; but, 
the truth of the matter is, that the knife and the caustic have 
failed in the most skilful hands. Few weeks pass without some 
lamentable account of the ravages of hydrophobia, although the 
poor patient had submitted to the usual and the best surgical 
treatment. Lacerated wounds may present themselves, which 
cannot with absolute certainty be bottomed; or many an hour or 
many a day may have elapsed between the infliction of the bite 
and the application of the caustic. 
The humane and honest surgeon will painfully reflect on the 
possible melancholy issue of the affair. He will identify himself 
with the feelings and apprehensions of the family and friends of 
his patient. He will place much confidence on the attempted 
destruction of the part; but he will look anxiously for some sub¬ 
sidiary measure which shall make assurance doubly sure. 
