Pliny in like manner reckons the disease dangerous, and mentions hellebore as a remedy for it. (H. N. viii, 63; xxix, 32.)
But without doubt the best account of hydrophobia contained in any ancient author is that given by Cælius Aurelianus. We shall now give a short abstract of it. He says the disease may be produced not only by the bite, but likewise by the breath of a rabid dog. This fact is mentioned by other authorities, such as Aretæus (Morb. Acut. vii), and Vegetius (Mulo. Med. iii, 84); and it is confirmed by modern writers, as Gokel, Lister, Rhazouz, and others. He also relates the case of a sempstress who fell into the disease from having sewed a robe which had been torn by a mad dog. Similar cases are related by Hildanus and Heister. He likewise states, what is confirmed by the Arabian authorities, and also by modern experience, that the disease may be brought on by the bite of wolves, bears, leopards, horses, and asses. He mentions the case of a person in whom it was occasioned by a wound inflicted with the spurs of a cock while fighting. Sometimes, too, he adds, it arises in the human subject without any manifest cause, which also is confirmed by modern experience. We once saw the horror of water in a case of Phrenitis. He mentions a singular case of hydrophobia in a child which was affected with a horror of its mother’s breast. His description of the symptoms, if compared with modern descriptions (for example that given by Dr. Goden in Hufeland’s ‘Journal,’ Jan. 1816), will be found in every respect complete and accurate. Thus Cælius says that the pulse is densus, parvus, inordinatus, and Goden found it intermittent and irregular. Cælius says there is a frequent desire of making water, which Goden found to be a constant attendant of the disease. Cælius thought that the stomach is more deranged than any other part, and Goden is of opinion that the splanchnic nerves are particularly affected. In short, Cælius maintained that it is an incendium nervorum; and it appears from him that some of the ancient authorities believed it an inflammatory affection, and treated it by bleeding. He treats it upon much the same principles as Tetanus, that is to say, his great object seems to have been to remove constriction, and with this view he recommends friction with tepid oil, venesection, and all remedies of a relaxant nature. He also directs us to administer clysters of tepid water and oil; and proposes to quench the thirst by forcing a cooling injection up to the stomach; for which purpose pressure with the hands is to be applied externally. He makes mention of the internal administration of hellebore, but disapproves of it. The use of white hellebore, however, is favorably mentioned by Aëtius (vi, 24), by Actuarius (Meth. Med. vi, 11), by Theomnestus (Geopon. xix, 3), by Dioscorides (ii, 3), by Alexander Trallian (i, 15), and by Avicenna (iv, 6, 9.)
Galen, in his work on ‘Antidotes,’ gives prescriptions for several compositions of this sort for the prevention and cure of hydrophobia; and mentions the disease incidentally in several parts of his works, but has nowhere given any description of it. Dioscorides’ account of the symptoms, and his plan of treatment are nearly the same as our author’s. He strongly recommends the cautery.
The external application of the cautery is also commended by Celsus, Galen, Pliny, Scribonius Largus, Aëtius, Actuarius, Nonnus, Avicenna, Rhases, and Alsaharavius.
See a good account of hydrophobia in Haly Abbas (Theor. viii, 20); and in Alsaharavius (Pract. xxx, 2, 30.) None of the ancient authorities insists with so much earnestness as Haly Abbas on the necessity of applying strong stimulants to the wound, namely, the most acrid vinegar, copperas, and the like, so as to keep up a discharge from it for a considerable time. Rhases is a strong advocate for bleeding when the poison is distributed over the system. (Cont. xxxv.)
Perhaps Alexander Aphrodisiensis is correct in stating that the disease in the dog is a species of fever. (Problem.)
There is a sensible account of hydrophobia in a ‘Fragment’ of an anonymous Greek author, published in Bernard’s ‘Reliquiæ.’ The complaint is said to arise either from the bite of a dog, or from humours engendered in the body. It is correctly stated that persons affected with it dread all liquids, so that at the bare mention of them they start up with a scream, trembling, cold sweats, and chattering of the teeth. Among other things cold applications over the stomach and chest are recommended.
SECT. IV.—FOR THE BITES OF DOGS THAT ARE NOT MAD.
On the bites of dogs that are not rabid, as even in this case they possess some poisonous quality, immediately sprinkle some vinegar, and strike the bite with your hand spread out, and then having rubbed nitre with vinegar, pour it from above upon the part. Afterwards, having soaked a new piece of sponge in vinegar or in the vinegar and nitre, apply it for three days, and moisten it; for it will effect a complete cure. Or apply the flour of tares mixed with oil, or new sponge, or unwashed wool soaked in vinegar and oil may be applied; or triturate the leaves of bramble with vinegar, and apply; or onions triturated with honey, or equal parts of the hair of marjoram, of salt, and of onions with honey; or black horehound, which they also call ballotes, with salts. When the bites have already suppurated, apply the flour of tares mixed with honey, for it is particularly applicable. When they are inflamed anoint with litharge triturated with water.