The New York herald., 1869-02-21

fact n that rabies Is unknown IN tropical countes
as wen as IN the arctic regions II occurs only In
very rarely IN the winter or summer Experiments
without number have been tired to induce the dis-
ease by exposure 10 heat and cold, but all have
failed. The poor dogs that are killed by the score
| IN our streets in summer by ignorant policemen are
many poor dog from a cruel dealh by res
| cuing m from The crowd-who insisted thas
/ 1t was mad-and by the application OF cola water
restored IL to health. rabid dog does not lose ia
senses, and few persons unless wel acquainted with
the animal or very close observer. would see any
| thing unusual while the epepuc dog becomes per-
fectiy frantic This alone should convince the oh
| server that the dog Is not rabd, as nothing Ike
epelipsy Is seen IN any stage OF rabies. dog suffer
ing from epelipsy or from poison WIN. In agony
sometimes bite; but he does It without motive, and
ject, but the bite viii not produce hydrophoba.
All physicians know that punctured wound is
more diiiicult 10 heal ana more likely 70 produce
tetanus than incised one and animals that have
fed ON putrld flesh may poison the wound ny some
from this there is no more danger lrom the bite OF
IN animal tuness actually rabid than from any other
wound.
rious circumstances and once while handling dog
when in Mt was seized by the hand and was
Obliged to wait for the convulsion TO pass on before
could he released. An application oil salt ana vim
egar was all that was done; the wound healed imme
daey and gave no 70 further % tr9uoe Ias dog ved
The first thing that Is generally done when per-
son IL bitten is to kill the dog. without Knowing
whether the dog Is rabid or not when the dog should
be confined "a to ascertain the fact aud thus re-
lieve the mind OF the person bitten OF anxiety and
doubt But one need be alarmed even II
the prevention OF the disease Is absolutely certain
The application Of the cautery u Thoroughly anu
skuly done, VIII render the person as sale as u he
had not been bitten.
Blaine says:-"I am as confident on the subject "a
very long experience and close observation or In
Vulnerable cases can make me, that not only Is the
destruction Of the bitten part certain prevention.
time prcyiously to the symptoms appearng as at the
nrst moment after the bite" II person IS IN
place where he cannot obtain canstic. the apphca-
The recent deaths IN Brooklyn and Paterson were,
from the reports published. undoubtedly tue result
away injudicious friends and humorcd and sympa.
thized with the patient assuring him THAT he could
meat ana Nave 'en save % Blame
cases or this kind that he had charge Of
There is another superstition connected with this
disease-that. Is the dread OF water. la the true
cases of this disease this Is not always so. man
~ro AGO VINO mad Al been bitten by dor Known
to be rabd. This man had no difficulty Ia drinking
until he died, but he could be thrown IN commissions
ut any time by draught OF air; this could be pro-
duced by the nurse gently tanning the back or his
head as he lay in bed although the patient did not
quietly nat the attendant in the room dld not know
that he was dead. Nor does the raDid dog dread
water, as ~ commonly supposed.
II IL hard 10 overcome prejudces OF long standing,
but the dissemination OF the facts through the me-
dium OF your columns may perhaps calm The fears
OF some and prevent further excitement OF the pub
lie mind ii.
The Death OF Mr.. 1udiam--An Inquiry Pro-
posed.
To TnE EDITOR or THE lIERAID-
un5er the heading OF "Iydrophobia" have this
day read with interest your lucid and lengthy edi
toria ON the subject OF the late Mr. Ludam's death,
and your conclusion that "whatever the real cause
Of his death may have been 1t was not rabies
cdnf,d.- allortls me the recollection OF the symptoms
Of death described before Starordsbire Jury Eng
land. pending the trial OF the memorable case OF the
Queen vs.. Palmer, the Hugely posoner) OF
Mr.. Cook, who died from the administration
OF strychnine In frequent doses. The paroxysms or
spasnodic contractlons OF the muscles, I think
grave doubts or fears IN the mind OF Mr.. Ludlam's
relatives and friends that perhaps another cause
existed for hts DEATH aud for the beneht Of science
and the satisfaction Of the public mind n post
mortem examination OF the intcstincs should be
made. STATEN ISLANDER