HYDROPHO′BIA

Syn. Canine madne ; Rabies can in a , L. A disease which is generally considered as the result of a morbid poison being introduced into the system by the bite of a rabid animal. A clear case of idiopathic or spontaneous hydrophobia has never yet been known to occur in the human subject. The common symptoms of hydrophobia are great excitability and horror at the sight of water, or the attempt to drink, fever, vomiting, exce ive thirst, spitting of viscid saliva, difficult respiration, irregular pulse, convulsions, syncope, delirium, and death. The whole materia medic a has been, unfortunately, unsucce fully sought without the discovery of a single remedy for this disease, or even a palliative of its severer symptoms. See Curarine . The treatment of recent bites of venomous animals has been fully explained, and need not be repeated here. To prevent secondary or constitutional effects arising, the use of lemon juice, or arsenical solution, has long been popular. (Graham, and others.) Dr Buchan remarks that “vinegar is of considerable use, and should be taken freely.”