HYDROPHOBIA. 
45 
be sprayed with a 3% solution, but a weaker one would answer 
all purposes. It has no poisonous properties. 
There are very many more useful medicinal compounds 
derived from coal tar, but I think those named will suffice for 
the present. 
HYDROPHOBIA. 
By J. H. Adamson, D.V.S., Charlottesville, Va. 
(Read before the Virginia State Veterinary Medical Association.) 
GENTLEMEN :—The subject of my essay, “Hydrophobia” or 
“Rabies,” is not chosen with the intention or assumption on my 
part of reflecting any new or extra light upon this important and 
momentous question, but simply to invoke, stimulate, and invite 
discussion in this circle of educated veterinarians; and I especi¬ 
ally ask our brothers in the medical profession, if any are pres¬ 
ent with us to-day, to join us in our discourse. I therefore trust, 
that at the close of my reading, the members of this society who 
are gathered here for the purpose of advancing our claims upon 
the laity at large, and for the benefit and instruction of ourselves 
collectively, will indulge in good spirit in our open councils of 
discussion, and endeavor by all means within their power, to 
throw the search-light of their recent learning into the pros and 
cons of this paper, which attempts to deal with this somewhat 
imperfectly understood malady, as it appears before us at this 
present day. 
The compound word “hydrophobia,” as analyzed by our 
Greek and Latin masters, is a term expressing fear or dread of 
water. Rabies, rabis, means I rave, to rave, and when used to 
mark or characterize this distressing and terrible disease, is in¬ 
correct, erroneous, and misleading in every respect; so far as 
the word is capable of conveying the idea that any animal or 
man has a dread of water or any other liquid containing water, 
as any animal suffering from hydrophobia will drink and even 
wallow in water, not only willingly, but greedily, to the very 
last. 
