preceding article. It came on about the sixth day after the accident; when
the patient attempted to swallow fluids, he became convulsed all over from
the pain of this attempt, and spurted them out of his mouth with violence.
It is also said to happen in some hysterical cases. Hence it seems rather
the immediate consequence of a pained tendon, than of a contagious poison.
And is so far analogous to tetanus, according with the opinions of Doctor
Rusch and Doctor Percival.

In other respects, as it is produced by the saliva of an enraged animal
instilled into a wound, it would seem analogous to the poison of venomous
animals. And from the manner of its access so long after the bite, and of
its termination in a short time, it would seem to resemble the progress of
contagious fevers. See Sect. XXII. 3. 3.

If the patient was bitten in a part, which could be totally cut away, as a
finger, even after the hydrophobia appears, it is probable it might cure
it; as I suspect the cause still remains in the wounded tendon, and not in
a diffused infection tainting the blood. Hence there are generally uneasy
sensations, as cold or numbness, in the old cicatrix, before the
hydrophobia commences. See a case in Medical Communications, Vol. II. p.
190.

If the diseased tendon could be inflamed without cutting it out, as by
cupping, or caustic, or blister after cupping, and this in the old wound
long since healed, after the hydrophobia commences, might prevent the
spasms about the throat. As inflaming the teeth by the use of mercury is of
use in some kinds of hemicrania. Put spirit of turpentine on the wound,
wash it well. See Class I. 3. 1. 11. IV. 1. 2. 7.

M. M. Wine, musk, oil, internally. Opium, mercurial ointment, used
extensively. Mercurial fumigation. Turpeth mineral. To salivate the patient
as soon as possible. Exsection or a caustic on the scar, even after the
appearance of hydrophobia. Put a tight bandage on the limb above the scar
of the old wound to benumb the pained tendon, however long the wound may
have been healed. Could a hollow catheter of elastic gum, caoutchouc, be
introduced into the oesophagus by the mouth or nostril, and liquid
nourishment be thus conveyed into the stomach? See Desault's Journal, Case
I. where, in an ulcer of the mouth, such a catheter was introduced by the
nostril, and kept in the oesophagus for a month, by which means the patient
was nourished and preserved.

It is recommended by Dr. Bardsley