been bitten, and were it not for the
so-called period of latent development of the virus, it would not be
possible to carry out the Pasteur treatment. The patient may, if he will,
take advantage of this fact and be immunized by treatment before the
disease has developed. Deep and severe bites are most dangerous, but the
disease may develop simply from a rabid dog licking a scratch of the skin.
As before stated bites on exposed or uncovered surfaces, are more
dangerous than those through clothing. There is a very easy access of the
saliva to the wound in the unprotected part, while in the protected parts
the teeth in passing through the protection, clothing, are freed of their
saliva at least partially. The virus is conveyed from the bitten part or
inoculation to the central nervous system through the nerve trunk, and the
rapidity of extension depends upon the resistant powers of the patient,
the virulence and the amount of virus deposited in the bitten part at the
time the person was bitten. This disease develops only in nerve tissues.
Virus can be found in the nerves of the side bitten, while the
corresponding nerves on the opposite side are free from it. It can be
ascertained that the virus is present in the medulla oblongata before the
lower portion of the cord.

[248 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

Comparative danger.--A wound of the hand after a delay of three weeks is
as dangerous as a bite on the head exposed only a few days. There is
always a possibility of an accumulative action and extension of the virus
along the nerve trunk to the central nervous system during the interval of
exposure, and this should be always borne in mind. It is stated by
authority that the virus is not transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal
until two days previous to the appearance of the first symptoms. It is
with some difficulty that a decision is reached in advising patients who
are bitten to take treatment early in the course of the disease. The
symptoms are often so very obscure and slight that they are not
recognized. If a dog which is not naturally vicious suddenly bites without
any cause it should be tied securely and watched for seven days; and
should it develop symptoms of the disease during this period the bite
should be considered dangerous.

Immediate treatment of the wound.--A temporary measure is the
cauterization of the wound; do not neglect this because a few hours have
passed since the person was bitten, for wounds may be caut