the patient barks like a dog. In many instances there is great mental
disturbance, with fits of maniacal excitement, in which he strikes at
every one about him, and accuses them of being the cause of his
sufferings--these attacks being succeeded by calm intervals in which he
expresses great regret for his violent behaviour. During all this stage
of the disease the patient is tormented with a viscid secretion
accumulating in his mouth, which from dread of swallowing he is
constantly spitting about him. There may also be noticed snapping
movements of the jaws as if he were attempting to bite, but these are in
reality a manifestation of the spasmodic action which affects the
muscles generally. There is no great amount of fever, but there is
constipation, diminished flow of urine, and often sexual excitement.
After two or three days of suffering of the most terrible description
the patient succumbs, death taking place either in a paroxysm of
choking, or on the other hand in a tranquil manner from exhaustion, all
the symptoms having abated, and the power of swallowing returned before
the end. The duration of the disease from the first declaration of the
symptoms is generally from three to five days.
Apart from the inoculation method (see below), the treatment of most
avail is that which is directed towards preventing the absorption of the
poison into the system. This may be accomplished by excision of the part
involved in the bite of the rabid animal, or, where this from its
locality is impracticable, in the application to the wound of some
chemical agent which will destroy the activity of the virus, such as
potassa fusa, lunar caustic (nitrate of silver), or the actual cautery
in the form of a red-hot wire. The part should be thoroughly acted on by
these agents, no matter what amount of temporary suffering this may
occasion. Such applications should be resorted to immediately after the
bite has been inflicted, or as soon thereafter as possible. Further,
even though many hours or days should elapse, these local remedies
should still be applied; for if, as appears probable, some at least of
the virus remains for long at the injured part, the removal or effectual
destruction of this may prevent the dread consequences of its
absorption. Every effort should be made to tranquillize and reassure the
patient.
Two special points of interest have arisen in recent years in connexion
with this disease. One is the Pasteur treatment by inoculation with
rabic virus (see also PARASITIC DISEASES), and the other was the attempt
of the government to exterminate rabies in the British Isles by muzzling
dogs.
Pasteur treatment.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account