343 
APPENDIX.-D. 
“ From what has already been stated with regard to the 
xationale of the rabid inoculation, it will readily appear, that, 
provided the virus be immediately taken into the circulation, it 
must yet return to the jpart it was originally received by ; and it 
must there commence a new irritation , by which some new 
morbid compound is generated ; and it is the absorption of this 
compound that is alone capable of producing the malady. Again, 
on the more popular theory, that the rabid virus does not enter 
the constitution, but lies dormant in the part where it was first 
received, it is still the same, as regards the preventive treat¬ 
ment, which it is evident is only effected with certainty by the 
entire removal of the inoculated portion ; because, that being 
absent, no new morbid compound can be formed on the first 
supposition, nor can any local excitement # arise on the second. 
“ Provided, therefore, that the wounded part or parts are com¬ 
pletely destroyed , the patient will, to a demonstration, be ren¬ 
dered as secure as though never bitten; which is a most 
consolatory circumstance in the consideration of this dire disease. 
*• It is also rendered doubly so, since the rationale of the action 
of the morbid virus teaches us, that it is indifferent at what time 
this removal takes place, provided it be within the limits of the 
inoculation and those of the morbid symptoms. This circum¬ 
stance is of immense importance to the human subject; and it 
is as fully supported by facts, as consistent with the theory laid 
down. I am as confident on the subject as a very long expe¬ 
rience and close observation of innumerable cases can make 
me, that not only is the destruction of the bitten part a certain 
preventive, but that such removal of it is as effectual at any time 
previously to the symptoms appearing , as at the first moment after 
the bite. My professional education as a human surgeon being 
not altogether unknown to the public, it is not to be wondered 
at that this recollection, when united to some notoriety which 
attached to my attention to this particular and then prevailing 
disease, and to my vast opportunities of observing it, should 
have produced some direct confidence in my opinion. It, there¬ 
fore, often happened, that, from being consulted about the rabid 
