South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1870-12-23

the cure of hydrophobia by being employed
IN spurious cases of that disease Nervous
persons, who have been bitten by healthy
animals, fancy that they have the disc ase,
and they initiate almost every symptom of
hydrophobia. They recover, whatever
means may be employed | knew a person
IN Vermont TO be affected by this false form
of hydruphobia. His son had recently died
of the disease, resulting from the bite of
rabid cat. His father, in aiding to nurse
him received a speck of the boys saliva up
on his lip. From that moment he became
tortured with the apprehension that he bad
contracted the disease, though assured that
1t could not be thus communicated. After
short time the symptoms which be had
Witnessed in the boy began TO display
themselves. He raved 10 the most fu-
rlous manner, refused water, and froth-
ed at the mouth. When any one of the
Physicians present remarked, by way of
encouragement, that certain symptoms
which marked the former case were ab.
sent, the patient would Immediately initiate
those symptoms. The man, however, from
extreme exhaustion, fell into profound
slumber aud walked we'll
Now in regard to preventive treatment,
which Is so efficient, and therefore of vast
Importance, let IL be remembered thata
mere scratch on the hand or face is the
most dangerOus-a bite through clothing
not without danger AS the poison adheres
to the part for some time after the bite be-
fore 1t produces the effect, let the wound be
instantly washed, again aud again with soap
and water. fla physician were TO vaccinate
child in the arm, and an hour after should
wash the part with soap and water, no eff
feet would result
The following case is in point: A wo-
man, the mother of the boy mentioned a.
bove, was washing clothes in her back yard,
when a rabid cat leapt over the fence and at
tackled the boy, cliDging to him and wound
ing his hands and face. The mother ran
to the rescue, seized the cat, tore it away
from the lad and threw it over the fence.
She then returned to her work, and her
hands and arms were immersed in soap and
water for two hours. Nothing was done for
the boy, it not being known that the cat was
rabid. The mother escaped the disease, but
the boy persisted miserably.
While the washing is being done, send
instantly to the nearest druggs; for a piece
of caustic potash. This comes in small
cylindrical pieces. If the tooth of the dog
has penetrated, cut the caustic 10 the shape
OF "A pencil or dogs tooth, insert il in the
wound and hold 1t there firmly for quarter
of minute without regard to the pain,
which will be severe.
Caustic potash can be made extemporc by
pouring boiling water on wood ashes. strain.
ing out the ley, and boiling it down to the
of molasscs. 1t may be appG.
ed with a smooth stick.
When the wound is a scratch, and there
fore the more dangerous, wipe it over brisk
~ with the same material. If the caustic
potash cannot be procured, use nitric acid
(aquatortis) or sulphuric acid, (oil Of vitri-
Ol) MIidc- caustlcs, which do not destroy
the surface Of the wound 10 which the poi
son Is lodged, are not worthy Of confidence,
although Mr.. Youatt recommends the nj
trate Of silver, (unar caustic.) The part
may be poultced with bread and milk for
two days, and then dressed with simple
salve.
IL - TOO common n practice 10 kill IN
stantly savage dog who has bitten a per-
son. This is exceedingly wrong, as the
person lives for years with the torturing
apprehension that he has been bitten by a
rabid dog. The animal should be shut up
and regularly fed. If rabid, be will GER
tainly die, but if he lives a week and takes
food there is no danger
II is generally believed that canine mad
ness occurs almost exclusively in summer,
and especially during what arc termed The
dog days This j. popular error. Ao.
cording 70 the best authority. the disease is
communicated only by contagion, and just
as likely 10 be propagated in winter az ia
summer, aud therefore city ordinances,
which allow dogs 20 be At large NJ one sea,
son and not AZ another are absurd
10 the course Of half century J have
bad occasion 10 treat the bites Of dogs un.
d9ubtcdIy rabid 10 many instances, and in
not a single instance have / known tho dis
ease to resuit when the preventive measures
were employed within three days after the
bite. ! do not mean, however. 10 Justify
q moments delay 10 their application.
n. r. SMITH, NJ D.