The Sun. — 1825-08-17 (London, England)

COO.' versingon this subject, some one declaring- that there are living witnesses who could be produced to prove such facts. In reply to these growlless fears the opinion of Sir ViclteryGibbsmight he quoted, who has stated," that such casesitave never occurred.; and who added, that whotygr should be capable of such enormities, would be found guilty of murder." Dr. Vaughan has tried to inoculate a, dog from a man in the last stage of Hydrophobia, which was supposed to have arisen from the bite of a mad (log, but the Dr,'s experiment did ,tot: succeed to produce disease in the dog.  There is nut an account of any animal having communicated any disease to tyre dog, nevertheless the dog is supposed to be capable of communicating disease to all our domestic animals, as well as to man. According to this hypothesis, the dog is more highly distinguished (in this respect) than even the human race.  That dogs are themselves subject to madness, and that they can communicate it to their own species, is agreed by all Medical Practitioners ; but that dogs have the power of communicating that disease to man, or any genus of animals is erroneous. Facts can only be ascertained by studying Nature with strict attention and minute observation ; by so doing, we shall be- extricated from that darkness into which all attempts at curing this disease have hitherto plunged us. In matt, doubt must he totally effaced from the mind, for should one spark of doubt remain, and fear resume the place of confidence, death in general is inevitable. I have acted tip to. the views of this paper with several patientl, Who have been under my care,, and always with success..  Some Practitoners have obsprved, that children have been afflicted with. Hydrophobia, whercould have had no fear.- In answer to this, we find that whenever the body is exhausted by any disease, and the muscles necessary for swallowing cannot perform their functions, the fluid returns back by the nose, and pioduces a species of suffocation, and the patient has a, dread of its being repeated. This often happens in the last stages of low nervous fevers : but if the patient has been bitten by a dog at, any period of their existence ; so great is the "rage for attributing disease to canine madness, that it is, at once attributed to the bite of the animal. To say too that children have no fear, is contrary to every day's occurrence. Self-preservation is one of the first principles of our nature; in infancy we are. most susceptible of the emotion. of fear, and the distress and apprehension which; infantile sufferings excite in those around the patient, were alone sufficient, to occasion powerful emotions of fear.  Experience• teaches. that it: is difficult-- to. find even the best informed minds ft-Re. from, prejudice on this subject, and that it, is absolutely- impossible to arrive at truth in many. cases. Should therefore, this-opinion, and: this, mode of treatment be generally received, it would-ameliorate the condition. of the• afflicted: In man, the disease which arises from the bite of►u.mad. dog, is, in my opinion, purely mental, apprehension produces irritation, and-nervous excitement•deprives the patient of sleep, deranges the• setretion, generates disease, and in. such- a stateiof; apprehension, irritaliiJity, nes,vons..e.3critation, and deprivation of. sleep,, death, becomes unavoidable. The first advances towards a cure, would be made by dispossessing, the patients mind of fear, Ito transfuse into-his mind a confidence, that the dog cannot communicate any- disease to• the human race.  I am of opinion, that the most, groundless prejudices exist regarding the effects,of canine madness, and that many unfounded inferenees-have been drawn fjorn circumstances attending- cases 'which have been cited. The mode of treatment which have recora, mended cannot possibly, in driy, cue produce in,jury;: hut it a:ppeArs ti me, tliaL exctitinn,ol the 'part•of-the human frame. which thnting has,hitten, .at onc.e, increases thatnprgrehension acid irritation in the patient's mind, whiclt,occasion atttßat disfleas.e, and terminates in death.:  if.a few Sheep, and Pigs,,aml.,oldaloset were •fleept: in, a rhanner.congefriall to \ their:nature, and if .they were to be inoculated: with the Siva of mad dogs, I think the Saliya,;wonild,haventbeffect 'even on these animals, andlliat•ttre,result of such experintents.would•set.thikinattreAting.qUektibn at rest. Certainly as the- cpws.ticopowtv %awl*, no greater calamityican.befal a human-being-than to .be: bitten by•a:mad•dogr: on.th.e.cktirer-hgn4l the dog is. one of the most ttsefuJoaniksagasictu*- animals subjected to.thee, dorninion, ankentaled to the protection of man.  The, medical arld surgic,a niensgs,arezmakinz great. adyaAces iu, hilprvvEgtv.4.; the. subject ibefore us .is luferjor;to none iu,iwpprtap,Ce to map k i n not_che RQY9l..C.Ollege of PhysiCians, apd,S,ufgeom, appoint,a,C.ommittee for itg,effectual investigatioo ? X.