Hydrophobia

(hi-dro-fo’-be-a). Madne of an acute form, contracted by the bite of a rabid dog. Tranquillity is of the greatest importance, and the nurse may do much to secure this and allay the terrible fears of the patient. Keep the room dark and quiet. Cold affusions to the spine, mercurial vapour baths, and the hypodermic administration of sedatives, are forms of treatment in which a nurse may have to a ist. The saliva of a hydrophobia patient is supposed to be capable of conveying infection, so a nurse must be careful on this point.