The Sun.
London, England, 1825-08-17 00:00:00

WFDNESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 17, 1825.

FOR 'lllli SUN.

ON HYDROPHOBIA.

Ma. EDTTOtt—The frequency of Canine Mad-
ness this summer; and its fatal effects upon the
Canine and the Human Race, have i►►fluenced
me to submit the following observations to Me-
dical Men and the Public in general.
Every genera of animals are a distinct essence,
varying in organization, formation, and in eco-
nomy. It is a received axiom that different na-
tures cannot produce the same similitude.

The organization, the essence, the economy,
formation, and component parts of the dog are
totally dissimilar to the essence, organization,
economy, formation, and component parts Of man,
and all our domestic animals. It is submitted
that it is contrary to physiology and reason to
suppose, that a dog can convey disease to any
animal but his own genus. That the disease
which produces madness in the dog, and is con-
veyed to man, and -all our domestic animals,
the-sheep, the hog, the cow, and horse, through
the medium of a bite from a mad dog, shOuld
produce the same compound in man, and in. all
our domestic animals, and should affect the ner-
vous system and brain of man, and other ani-
rnals, and • produce madness the same as in the
dog, is cu)ntriry to the immutable laws of
Nature.-- It appears that for the protection of
one 'genus of animals from the disease of an-
other genus, that each has been furnished with a
peculiar radical cause in the formation of its own
compounded body. The diseases of animals are
known to be, when oncompounded with others,
as distinct as their species, therefore the idea of
one genus of animal being subject to the disease
of another must be fallacious ; since it is con-
trary to all the known laws by which Nature is
invariably governed,and has been governed from
all eternity. No contagious disease ever pro-
ducing other than its own determined likeness.

Some authors have likened the supposed virus
secreted by mad dogs to that of venomous ani-
mals, as the viper, rattlesnake, wasp. But there
can be no similitude deducible from any com-
parison made between the bite of a mad dog and
that of the, viper ; the latter produces immediate
inflammation, the former in a week, a month, or
a year after the bite.

Dr. Bardsley records a case of John Lindsey,
a weaver, who was brought into the Lunatic
hospital, at Mapchester, twelve years after he
was bitten, and who died of hydrophobia. Now
it appears to me to be impossible, from all we
know of the immutable laws of Nature, that this
supposed virus, could remain, one year in the
habit without being decomposed ; yet we are in-
formed it had remained twelve years,and that the
person died of the hydrophobia, from the bite of
a mad dog.

First supposing a dog to be mad, does he con-
vey, madness to man. Secondly, it has been
generally thought that persons afflicted by the
bite of a mad dog, always die insane. This is a
mistake. No madness ever attends it. The
patients can converse as rationally as ever, during
the time they are ill. This may be proved from
almost every case of the disease. All authors
who•have seen, confirm this, and generally note
it down in relating the symptoms. If the dog
convey not madness, what does he convey. It
is supposed that he conveys a virus, which pro-
duces Hydrophobia.
From my own observation and that of Lord
Derby's Game Keeper, who has had six dogs
mad at one time, tied up, and which have died at
different times ; in none of them, however, could
he perceive that they refused water, or had any
difficulty in swallowing. It appears contrary to
nature, that a dog should be capable, of communi-
cating any other disease, thani that, with which he
is affected, namely, madness; and equally con-
trary to nature, that he should have the power
of communicating a disease with which he nes,er
was affected, namely, Hydrophobia.
The case of the late Mr. Castleman; of the
Grove House, Camberwell.
Mr. Castleman was bitten by a mad dog in the
spring, as he was attending his dogs to take the,
air in coupling time.t A large dog sprang on one
of his from a hedge with great fury. He ran. to
beat him off, when this assailant seized, him fast-
by the leg, and severely lacerated it, being,
however, at last disengaged, he returned home,
and his mind became considerably alarmed for
the consequence. `The dog, which belonged to a
farmer, in the neighbourhood, was observed by
his master on reaching home, who, fearful, lest-
he might go mad, had given orders to secure him
by a strong chain ; this was, effected, and he was
fastened to a tree in the orchard. Every thing
within his 're,ach became the spbject of attack,
and.at the expiration of tbxo dayshe died. Three
weeks had elapsed, when Mr. finding him-
self_poorly, sent for a physician who resided in
the neighbourhood, and who, on. his arrival, en 7
'quired if Mr. C. had been bitten by a mad dog;
on Mr. C. replying in the, affirmative, the,: phy
sician immediately concluded .that to be the cause
'and , origin of his illness. Mercurial medicines,
'external and internal, were admiaistered.: to, de-
stroy the supposed virus, Mr. C:'s. spirits. every
day grew worse, nor could he obtain,reteyen at
'night, for • _

" .Tiretl Nature's avvetrepimer,
" Balmy sleep," •
was.a stranger, to his eyelids ; he lost his appe-
tite, and irritability and debility had taken
place of tranquillity and health. In this situa-
lion. the Physician of the: adjoining village. was
consultedi in addition to the former one; they
were both of the same opinion, viz. that: this
'disease. was occasioned by b4e,nf,a,mml
dog. - Mr, C. concluded that death must .ensue_