erized with
advantage even after two or three days have elapsed. Of course the earlier
it is done the better. If they are thoroughly laid open and scrubbed it is
more effective. Nitric acid used freely is the best method to use. Wash
the wound freely with boiled water after the acid has been applied;
ninety-five per cent carbolic acid may be used if nitric acid cannot be
obtained.

If carbolic acid is used it is necessary that it be washed from the wound
by the free use of absolute alcohol, followed by boiled water and a
dressing of bichloride of 1-7000. This prevents the ulceration of the
wound by the carbolic acid. Cauterization thoroughly done destroys a part
of the inoculated virus. Thorough cauterization is especially necessary
with large wounds in which large quantities of the virus is inoculated.

When to send patients to an Institute.--Send them immediately, if there is
good reason to believe the animal had rabies. It is not wise to wait until
the animal dies; it is very important that treatment is begun as soon as
possible, especially in severe bites.

What to send for examination.--The entire head may be sent by express, or
better, the health officer should bring it in person. This saves time and
relieves anxiety; or a portion of the brain may be removed under
thoroughly clean conditions and placed in a sterilized twenty per cent
solution of glycerin and water. In this way the virus retains its
virulence and putrefaction is diminished. The first method is the best,
taking the head directly. The head after it reaches the laboratory is
examined microscopically for "negri bodies," and if there is no
contamination the microscopic findings are verified by animal
inoculations. The presence of negri bodies in a specimen is of great value
owing to the rapidity with which a diagnosis can be made. In one case a
positive diagnosis was reported within twenty minutes after the specimen
entered the laboratory and within the next hour and a half the patient
bitten by the dog the same day had begun her course of protective
injections and was saved.

[BLOOD AND DUCTLESS GLANDS 249]

Protection.--To stamp out this disease city authorities, etc., can enact
laws. All ownerless dogs should be killed, and the keeping of useless dogs
should be discouraged by taxation. All dogs should be thoroughly muzzled
where the disease prevails. This article is made up from an article
written by an acknowledged authority on this disease, a