The New York herald., 1874-07-19
The "Incubation' Theory Of Rabies
A Great Point Settled.

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While the most eminent doctors differ on
some OF the most commonplace diseases OF
everyday practice it is not strange their
views should widely diverge regarding the
mysterious malady of rabies We have re-
Gently had numerous learned opinions and
interesting experiments, leading to one class
OF theories but it is not the least valuable
contribution which comes from the eminent
surgeon OF Baltimore, Dr. N. r. Smith.
Dr. Smith, in an able letter to contem-
porary journal, denies that the virus of rabies
Is Immediately communicated to the nervous
system of a person bitten. From an immense
surgical practice he mentions hundred in
stances in which, by the speedy ablution and
cauterization of the wound made by rabid
dogs, all serious consequences were averted.
His practice is the earliest possible washing
OF the wound in soap and water, and burning
out the part injured by the dogs tooth with
small conical piece of caustic potash, fitting
into the aperture made by the animal.
We are confessedly unable to test theories
of hydrophobia, and 80 are the most advanced
physicians of the day. But the facts cited by
DIR. Smith are certainly worthy of the utmost
confidence and they carry deep conviction
That with timely use of his preventive meas
ures, the poison deposited by the mad dog in
the wound can be removed by the joint ap-
plication of water and the cautery.
The length of time elapsing Several weeks
often) between the bite and the manifestation
of rabies in the human subject proves, we
think, that the virus is not transmitted i'm
mediately to the nerves by the blood. As DR..
Smith urges, were this the case the symptoms
would mature almost instantaneously or in q
few hours. Such, we know is the case in the
bite of poisonous reptiles. But in rabies the
seed or seeds of the disease deposited require
time, he thinks, to penetrate the system and
undergo process of incubation. DR.. Smith
cites the we'll known fact that if vaccine matter
is washed from the arm Immediately after it is
inserted it does not enter the blood, and no
results ensue So, he contends, if the poison
Of hydrophobia, which is analogous (though
usually requiring much longer time to take
effect), is removed within few hours by
caustic potash and thorough ablution the
danger Of the bite passes away.
Certainly this treatment can now be put to
the most crucial test on the CANNES which
roam our streets, and the settlement of this
point alone would be an inconceivable bless
ing to humanity. Dr. Smith asserts (and his
assertion will carry confidence wherever he is
known) that he has tested it ''in more than
hundred instances Of persons bitten by rabid
dogs" and, he adds, Sin not single instance
have l witnessed the development of the dis
ease in these cases." He cites the similar and
high authority of Mr.. Youatt, who had, in
like manner, treated successfully four hun
dred cases Of the same kind. Surely this un-
challenged testimony should carry great
weight For if it does not penetrate into the
deep mystery Of the disease and deal with tbs
analysis of the poison of rabies it indicate
(what is the next best thing to the cure) the
prevention of the frighttul malady in hun
dreds of cases.