Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-07-03
IsydrODilObi,..
The following method of treating liydrUpho-
bia will doubtless be read with interest:
UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE.

The following method of treating lIydrupho-
bia will doubtless be read with interest
UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE.
EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS WEST OF
THE ONE HUSDREDrtI MERIDIAN,
WASHINGTON. ID. T..
TO the editor Of Forrest and St,vam:
As the suhjrc, Of hydrophobIa appears to be
attracting considerable attention at tie prescott
moment, perhaps may be permitted to give
an account of the successful treatment OF three
cases of persons bitten by rabid dogs cccurriug
in my practice while on duty at Fort McHcnry
Baltimore, Md. The first case was that of my
owe son, a boy of eight years OF age, like his
father very fond Of dogs, and to this tondness
his misfortune may be attributed. a strange
dog of mougrel breed had entered the yard
and the little fellow at once commenced to
play with him. Without apparent prcvocation
the animal sprang on him aud BIT him in no
less than six or eight places, on both hands
and on the right shoulder. At the time | was
absent in the city Of Baltimore, but the hospi-
tai steward at once applied nitrate of silver at
ter having first washed the wounds carefully.
Upon my return, not being altogether salts.
fed with the mode of treatment, and having
heard from some of the soldiers that the dog
had been seen for several days wandering
around the post, swapping and biting at other
dogs, with mucous discharge aud Slight
cough, determined on more energetic plan
OF treatment, aud after having applied local
a. GO thesia to the parts carefully excised each
bite, going down with my scalpel to the bottom
of each wound, after which Tuning nitric acid
was applied for two days in succession. This
treatment was supplemented by the use of fer,
mented pouItces made with Indian u!eal aud
Yeast, to encourage the throwing Oft OF the
slough. In three weeks the wounds had entire
| " healed aud 10 bad effects have thus far re-
suited; this occurring in 1870. | should per
haps mention that this dog bit a Number Of
other dogs who were all Enthusiastically afflicted
with rabies and were accordingly killed. Some
TWO months after tniS case the second occurred
in the same ncighborhoud and was treated in
the same mauucr and with like result.
The third case was one which occurred at
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and the patient
was not seen until three weeks after the
reception of the injury. He was treated
in the same manner, and no evil Ell.
fects manifested themselves, although the
mans mental condition was in such Il state
that an attack of braiu fever supelveucd, in
which he nearly lost his life. As colroborative
evidence ir favor Of this plan Of treatment,
may mention that person bitten at the alAo
tune as case number three, aud by the same
dog, died two months alter of hydrophobia, al
though his Wounds had been cautelized with
nitrate of silver. This heroic plan OF treatment
which have adopted, and which | should use
under yearly every circumstance, l Offer Tor
| the benefit Of your readers, believing it to be
one OF the very best. Very truly, yours,
H. {. YARROW.