Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-04

Inc distinguished Eng1fSh chemist, Sir
Humphrey Davy. while out In the fields on
q geological excursion, was attacked and
severely bitten on the calf of his leg by q
rabid dog. Having no knife at hand. with
characteristic British courage, he braced
his leg against rock and absolutely chop
ped a large piece out of his calf with a
cold chisel and hammer. bound it up with
a wisp of straw and walked several miles
to the nearest farm house, all safe. He
carried the scar to his grave.
Stationed at Queenstown, or Fort Erie,
Canada, was a clever English surgeon,
who had been great traveller In foreign
countries, had made hydrophobia q special
study. and among all the different modes
to the Indian method as most successful.
From him DR.. Smith and my father learned
a mode Of cauterization which. according
to their statements, was entirely successful
In aborting the disease when applied with
in twenty-four or even forty-eight hours
of the bite. 1t was as follows:
The wound was thoroughly washed with
quite warm water to favor free flow OF
blood land then sucked by the lips Of the
patient or doctor. until blood ceased to
flow. and the wound was dry could be
made so. Sometimes cupping glass was
used. but the sucking was considered most
effectual.
The Use of Black Ink.
Then the doctor took a teaspoonful or
so of common black ink in his mouth, and,
applying his lips closely to the wound,
slowly and firmly forced the ink into it.
Small syringes were not manufactured In
those days. Sometimes 1t was blown
through a small straw or goose quill, but
there was danger of rupturing the connec-
tive cellular tissue under the skin or be-
where it was not needed. Forced in by the
lips 1t would gradually insinuate itself in
to the skin, cellular tissue or muscle,
wherever the tooth entered, and nowhere
ole hot &c, fho 01>{4 - to-.
asks. You will see presently. This ink
thoroughly blackened the inside track of
the dogs tooth, affording a perfect clue
or guide to the surgeon in the subsequent
scalpel and forceps and carefully dissects
down, following the ink stain and nowhere
else, until he reaches the bottom of the
wound, which truly shows the entire track
and limit reach of the tooth.
Then, cleansing away the blood, he eau
terizes the wound from top to bottom all
along the ink-stained flesh, and nowhere
else-not with silver nitrate or lunar cans
tic, which only albumenize the flesh, but
with Tuning nitric acid or red-hot piece
of iron "a tenpenny nail or common stove
pipe wire will do). This destroys the pois-
oned flesh Immediately. The wound is
kept open, dressed with simple f1axseed
or slippery elm poultice until suppura ton
has ceased, from the bottom, and healing
has begun. At first glance this operation
seems terribly severe, but who would not
gladly submit to 1t where such important
issues as life or dreadful death were at
stake? Cutting through the skin is severe,
but cutting the flesh and the subsequent
burning is not so severe as many suppose,
and the application of cocaine greatly
deadens all sensi5ility.
Did the limits of this article allow many
cases could be cited that came under the
careful observation of the physicians men,
toned, as well as others of the past gen.
GRAFTON. confirmatory of the great success
of the Indian mode, crude as 1t seems, and
particularly the mode of cauterization de-
scribed. OF course. in cities 1t would be
difficult to apply the treatment in detail.
Men of narrow minds and prejudices will
sneer at what they are pleased to stigma
tie as Indian powwowism, quackery and
Thompsonianism; but If they can find any
thing better in their scientific budget let
them show it. Desperate diseases require
desperate remedies. Simple vapor baths
have had their successes as well as fall
ures. How important factors the volatile
essences of the spruce, juniper or strand
MUM, combined with the hot steam, may
be in assisting the elimination of the hy
drophobic poison 1t is impossible to say;
but absorption, under favorable circum-
stances, by the pores Of the skin of many
medical virtues. effectually curing many
obstinate diseases, which can be cured no
other way, is a well-known fact in the
science and art Of medicine.
G. w. POPE. MD.