Advice to the people in general, with regard to their health

by S. A. D. Tissot

§ 193. A great Number of Remedies have been highly cried up, as famous in the Cure of this Disease; and, in Swisserland particularly, the Root of the Eglantine or wild Rose, gathered at some particular times, under the favorable Aspects of the Moon, and dried with some extraordinary Precautions. There is also the [Powder of Palmarius] of calcined Egg Shells, that of the Lichen terrestris, or Ground Liverwort, with one third Part of Pepper, a Remedy long celebrated in England; Powder of Oyster-Shells; of Vervain; bathing in Salt Water; St. Hubert's Key, &c. &c. But the Death of a Multitude of those who have been bitten, notwithstanding their taking the greatest Part of all these boasted Antidotes; and the Certainty of no one's escaping, who had been attacked with the high raging Symptom, the Hydrophobia, have demonstrated the Inefficacy of them all, to all Europe. It is incontestable that to the Year 1730, not a single Patient escaped, in whom the Disease was indisputably manifest; and that every Medicine then employed against it was useless. When Medicines had been given before the great Symptom appeared, in some of those who took them, it afterwards appeared, in others not. The same different Events occurred also to others who were bitten, and who took not the least Medicine; so that upon the whole, before that Date, no Medicine seemed to be of any Consequence. Since that Time, we have had the Happiness to be informed of a certain Remedy, which is Mercury, joined to a few others.

§ 194. In short there is a Necessity for destroying or expelling the Poison itself, which Mercury effects, and is consequently the Counter-poison of it. That poison produces a general Irritation of the Nerves; this is to be removed or asswaged by Antispasmodics: so that in Mercury, or Quicksilver, joined to Antispasmodics, consists the whole that is indicated in the Cure of this Disease. There really have been many Instances of Persons cured by these Medicines, in whom the Distemper had been manifest in its Rage and Violence; and as many as have unfortunately received the Cause of it in a Bite, should be firmly persuaded, that in taking these Medicines, and using all other proper Precautions, they shall be entirely secured from all its ill Consequences. Those also in whom the Rage and Fury of this Distemper is manifest, ought to use the same Medicines, with entire [⁴⁵] Hope and Confidence, which may justly be founded on the many Cures effected by them. It is acknowledged however, that they have proved ineffectual in a few Cases; but what Disease is there, which does not sometimes prove incurable?

§ 195. The very Moment after receiving the Bite, is it happens to be in the Flesh, and if it can safely be effected, all the Part affected should be cut [⁴⁶] away. The Ancients directed it to be cauterized, or burnt with a red hot Iron (meer Scarification being of very little Effect) and this Method would very probably prove effectual. It requires more Resolution, however, than every Patient is endued with. The Wound should be washed and cleansed a considerable Time with warm Water, with a little Sea-Salt dissolved in it. After this into the Lips and Edges of the Wound, and into the Surface of the Part all about it, should be rubbed a Quarter of an Ounce of the Ointment [Nº. 28]; and the Wound should be dressed twice daily, with the soft lenient Ointment [Nº. 29], to promote Suppuration; but that of [Nº. 28] is to be used only once a Day.

In point of Regimen, the Quantity of Nourishment should be less than usual, particularly in the Article of [⁴⁷] Flesh: he should abstain from Wine, spirituous Liquors, all Sorts of Spices and hot inflaming Food. He should drink only Barley-Water, or an Infusion of the Flowers of the Lime-tree. He should be guarded against Costiveness by a soft relaxing Diet, or by Glysters, and bathe his Legs once a Day in warm Water. Every third Day one Dose of the Medicine [Nº. 30] should be taken; which is compounded of Mercury, that counterworks the Poison, and of Musk which prevents the Spasms, or convulsive Motions. I confess at the same Time that I have less Dependance on the Mercury given in this Form, and think the rubbing in of its Ointment considerably more efficacious, which I should hope may always prevent the Fatality of this dreadful, surprizing Disease. [⁴⁸]

§ 196. If the raging Symptom, the Dread of Water, has already appeared, and the Patient is strong, and abounds with Blood, he should, 1, be bled to a considerable Quantity, and this may be repeated twice, thrice, or even a fourth Time, if Circumstances require it.

2, The Patient should be put, if possible, into a warm Bath; and this should be used twice daily.

3, He should every Day receive two, or even three of the emollient Glysters [Nº. 5].

4, The Wound and the Parts adjoining to it should be rubbed with the Ointment [Nº. 28], twice a Day.

5, The whole Limb which contains the Wound should be rubbed with Oil, and be wrapped up in an oily Flanel.

6, Every three Hours a Dose of the Powder [Nº. 30], should be taken in a Cup of the Infusion of Lime-tree and Elder Flowers.