Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

BITE OF A MAD DOG!

Near Wexham, in North Wales, three men died of canine madness, in October and November 1788. These melancholy cases spread a general alarm. But it ought to give great comfort and satisfaction to any who may be bit to know that there is a safe, easy and effectual method of preventing the infection; which can seldom give pain or require skill, and is in every one's power to employ. It is universally allowed by physicians that the spittle of a mad animal, infused into a wound is the only cause hitherto known, that can communicate canine madness to the human body. This poison does no immediate mischief, but is slowly absorbed in the blood, and sufficient opportunity is given to remove it, before any danger can arise.—Whenever a person is bit, the plain and obvious means of preventing future injury is first, to wipe off the spittle with a dry cloth, then wash the wound with cold water; not lightly and superficially but abundantly, and with the most persevering attention; and bad cases for several hours. After a plentiful effusion of cold water, warm water may be employed with safety and advantage; a continual stream of it poured from the spout of a tea pot or tea kettle, held up at a considerable distance, is peculiarly well adapted to the purpose. If the canine poison infused in a wound were of a peculiar colour, as black, like ink, we should all be aware that plenty of water and patient diligence would wash out the dark stain; but this could not be expected by a light superficial ablution. After the first careful washing, apply to the bite saliva coloured with ink, indigo, &c. and by the second washing, a visible proof may be obtained, how soon and how perfectly it can be cleaned out of the wound. As a proof that slight washing of the wound is not sufficient to cleanse it effectually from the poison, we may mention, that in some cases, after inoculation for the small pox, the poisonous matter has been attempted to be washed out of the wound, by persons who wished to prevent its effects; yet the inoculated small pox, appeared at its proper period. These unsuccessful attempts were performed secretly, hastily and timidly, by a female hand. But in case when the ablution was perfectly performed, inoculation was prevented from taking effect, though the patient was susceptible of infection. They teach us the importance of patient perseverance in washing away the poison; but they do not abate our confidence that such perseverance will certainly be successful.

The ablution should be accompanied with great diligence and without delay, and may be performed by the patient or an assistant. However, as the apprehension of this dreadful disorder always excites the greatest anxiety, a surgeon's advice and assistance ought to be obtained as soon as possible, in all cases where the skin is injured—He will execute those directions most dexterously and completely. In a bad wound, the poison may be conveyed deep into the flesh, by long teeth or by lacerations. In such circumstances he will open, cup, syringe, and wash every suspicious place, and whenever any uncertainty can remain that may occasion future solicitude, he will previously shave off the surface, and cut away the jagged or other parts of the wound. By this method of purification, it cannot be doubted that every particle of poison, and consequently, that every cause of danger may be removed.