131 
ON RABIES CANINA. 
been justified in disturbing the mind, or exciting the fears of the 
patient or his friends. The very act of being drenched day and 
nio ht, for six weeks, with a nauseous medicine, would pioduce and 
perpetuate a state of nervous irritability, that might too probably 
predispose the constitution to be affected by the poison. More, 
perhaps, than the surgeon thinks, depends on the mind. It 
should be his object, and is his imperative duty, to inspire his 
patient with perfect confidence in the efficacy of the surgical 
means that have been adopted. That which is to be done, should 
be “ done quickly,” and “ done, when it is done.” 
The surgeon will likewise apprehend, that if it be commonly be¬ 
lieved that there is much or any efficacy in preventive medicines, 
the patient may be rendered averse, perhaps unconquerably so, 
to the necessarily painful process which the experience of every 
age has proved to be the best security, and many a useful Inc 
may be sacrificed. 
Until, therefore, we have greater experience of the power ot 
these preventives, and have arrived at absolute ceitainty on the 
point, we are not justified in using them, except in extiaoidinaiy 
cases, and least of all to the neglect of the knif e 01 the caustic. ^ 
These extraordinary cases will sometimes occur. The situation 
or extent of the wound may throw some doubt on the perfect 
efficacy of the operation: then I would strenuously recommend 
the scutellaria and belladonna. Do not keep open the wound 
by stimulant and painful unguents, or you may produce that ins¬ 
tability of the part which will dispose it for the action of the 
virus. Operate as carefully and as effectually as you can. 
Then adopt the most soothing measures, and heal the wound as 
rapidly as may be, and try the effect, and the long continued 
effect, of these stimulants on that texture which would be the 
seat of the disease. 
In the quadruped, if he be of sufficient value to warrant a 
recourse to long continued and expensive medical tieatmeiit, tiie 
use of this preventive may not only be permitted, but is always 
indicated. Covered with hair as are the skins ot our patients, 
we can never be assured that we have discovered every wound. 
I have more than once most carefully examined a dog supposed 
to have been bitten, and could not detect the slightest puncture 
or scratch, yet it has died rabid. Every wound that can be dis¬ 
covered, should be freely operated on, and the preventive given, 
as here a necessary auxiliary, but with the strict regard to 
personal safety, and the safety of others, which 1 have already 
urged. 
