ON RABIES CAN1NA. 
127 
When the nature of a disease is understood, and the time of its 
appearance nearly calculated, is it unphilosophical or unsurgical 
to attempt so to modify or change the connexion and action of 
certain parts, or to bring the constitution generally into such a 
state that the influence of the virus or disease may possibly be 
resisted ? 
We know that under the powerful agency of one stimulus, the 
constitution is comparatively dead to eveiy other. If the poison 
of measles has been received, and a person be subsequently inocu¬ 
lated with variolous matter, the small-pox will not appear : the 
virus will remain inert, until the measles have run their course. 
Can we, then, excite a certain action, and maintain it until the 
rabid virus be neutralised or expelled ? That fatal poison lurks a 
certain time in the wound; and if it be not then roused to action, 
it either becomes innocuous, or it is taken up by the absorbents 
and expelled. 
Rabies is an affection of the nervous system. Is it impossible, 
by the exhibition of some diffusible stimulant, whose power of 
excitement may be considerable and permanent, and its sedative 
effect slight and transient, and whose principal action is on the 
brain, to maintain a constant excitement of the nervous system 
until the virus is worn out ? or may a gradual change or modifi¬ 
cation of cerebral and nervous substance be produced, so that it 
shall not be susceptible to the influence of the virus ? 
With this view the mineral tonics, zinc, copper, mercury, and 
arsenic have been recommended. I should have more faith in 
narcotics, if one could be found which would produce a constant, 
but not dangerous state of nervous excitement, and incompatible 
with the excitement of the virus. 
The Box has been recommended. I have reason t<» believe that 
it is the basis of the preventive drinks so celebrated in some parts 
of Hertfordshire and Kent. They consist of a strong decoction of 
the common box with some rue, and coloured and disguised at the 
caprice of the preparer. 
My late and respected partner, Mr. Blaine, had considerable 
faith in it. We instituted numerous experiments on its supposed 
preventive power. It was evidently a narcotic. The human 
patient complained of much giddiness for half an hour after 
taking it, and the dose for the dog was regulated by the produc¬ 
tion of staggering and distress. Several were destroyed by an 
over dose. The medicine was recommended to be given on three 
successive days. 
It had undeniable efficacy in preventing the disease. The ma¬ 
jority of the dogs to whom it was exhibited were saved. We tried 
it in the form of powder, extract, infusion, decoction, and tincture. 
