HYDROPHOBIA. 
149 
Treatment .—Medicinal treatment of rabies is of no avail 
whatever. An antidote for the ptomaine has not yet been dis¬ 
covered. Pasteur says that the blood serum of a recovered case 
after undergoing - certain preparation and treatment, at present 
only known to his laboratory, is a speedy and sure cure. How¬ 
ever the world has not as yet recognized the fact. 
Madstones, and the one thousand and one decoctions made 
from herbs, gathered only when the moon is under certain con¬ 
ditions, and hosts of other worthless nostrums, are all sterling 
phases of charlatanism, empiricism, and quack humbuggery. 
When hydrophobia has once delared itself, little can be done by 
the resources of the veterinarian or physician beyond palliating 
the agonizing sufferings, and thereby rendering easier and 
calmer the inevitably fatal termination. 
Medicines cannot be administered by the mouth, owing to 
the impossibility of swallowing, the distress occasioned by the 
effort to do so, and the great risk of being bitten by the sufferer; 
therfore, anything given must be per rectum, hypodermically, 
or by inhalation. The most potent agents are the bromides, 
opium, its alkaloids, curara, chloral, chloroform, and hydrocy¬ 
anic acid. The vapor bath is also recommended, but in this 
also, great risks are run. Prophylactic treatment is the only 
rightful course to pursue, and of most avail. When an animal 
or man is first bitten by a rabid or apparently healthy dog, en¬ 
deavor to prevent the absorption of the virus into the system. 
This may be accomplished by complete excession of the part 
involved in the bite, or by sucking the wound by a cupping 
glass, or even by the mouth if practicable, after which the part 
ought to be thoroughly cauterized by nitrate of silver, caustic 
potash, nitric acid, or better still, actual cautery. Then place 
the animal in confinement to await developments; one month is 
considered a long enough period. 
Do not kill the dog, as it prevents the person bitten from 
knowing whether hydrophobia will develop or not. If it does 
not mature, the persons bitten are perfectly safe and may sleep 
easy. 
