Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1815-04-20
BITE ORA MID DOG.

Near Wrexham, IN Norm Wales, three
men died in canine madness, in October and
November, 1888.
These melancholy cases spread general
alarm. But it ought to give great comfort
and satisfaction to any one who may be bit,
to know that there is safe, easy and etiec-
tual method of preventing the infection !;
which can seldom give pain or require
skill, andis in the power Of every person to
employ. 1t is universally allowed by ply
scians, that the spittle of mad animal,
infused into wound, is the only cause hi
therto known, that can communicate ca
nine madness TO the human body This
poison does no immediate mischief, bat
is slowly absorbed into the blood, and su1
Client opportunity is given to remove it oe
fore any danger can arise. Whenever a
person is bit, the plain and obvious means
| OF preventing future injury, is first, to wipe
off The spittie with Dry cloth, and then TO
wash the wound with cold water not
sig tly and specifically, but abundantly
am with the most persevering attention !;
/ in bad cases. for several hours. After a
| plentiful etfusion of cold water, warm water
may be employed with safety and advan-
| ssge continued stream OF it, poured
from the spout of tea pot tea kettle,
| held up considerable distance is peculiar
ly well adapted to the purpose. If the ca.
| nine poison infused into wound was of a
! pecu lar colour, as black like ink, we should
all be aware, that plenty of water and patti
ent diligence, would wash out the dark die;
but this could not be expected by slight
and superficial ablution The first careful
washing apply to the bite, saliva, coloured
with ink, indigo, &c. and by tile second
washing visible proof tray be obtained
how soon and how perfectly 1t can be clean
[ ed out ofthe wound AS a proof that slight
| washing of the wound is moi sufficient to
cleanse it effectually from the poison, we
may mention, that in some cases, after in
incubation for the small pox, the poisonous
matter has been attempted to be washed
out OF the wound, by persons wlo wished
| to prevent its effects yet the innocuiated
small pox appeared at its proper period -
These unsuccessful attempts were perform
ed secretly hastily and tlmidly, by female
| hand. But in a case when the abIution
was perfectly performed, innoculation was
prevented from taking effect, though the
| Pa lent was susceptible of Infection. They
teach as the Importance of patient perse
verance in washing away the poison but
they did not abaie our confidence that such
perseverance will certainly be successful
The abution should be accomplished with
great diligence and without delay, and may
DE performed by the paten, Or an, assist
ant. However, as the apprehension of this
dreadful disorder always exc,tes the great
est anxiety, a surgeons advise and assist
ance ought to be obtained as soon as posi-
Bile, In all cases where the skin is injured.
lie will execute those directions most dex-
terou.iy and completely In bad wound,
the poison may be conveyed deep into the
1esh by long teeth or laceration. In such
circumstances he will open. cup. syringe
and wash every suspicious place and W len-
ever any uncertainty can remain that may
occasion future solicitude. he will previous
| ly shave off the surface. and cut away the
Jagged or or other parts of the wound BY
tnls method of puriticaton. it cannot be
doubted that every particle of poison, and
consequently that every cause of danger
may be effectually removed.