[Page] 95

...the same malady, and at that time he refuses water and all manner of liquid, and he himself runs mad. 55. This disease alternates [through] two phases: first, the bitten place swells, reddens, pains, and causes severe fever, distress, and restlessness; [the patient] sleeps restlessly and sees dreadful dreams, and desires solitude. 56. Afterward, he feels a revulsion toward water and all kinds of clear liquids, so that not only does he not want to drink, but he is even unwilling to look upon [them]; and when he sees [them], he shudders violently and is frightened, and even hearing the name [thereof] brings terror. In the end, a violent fever comes upon him, the limbs grow numb, and at times it causes death. 57. At the beginning, while the venom is only in the bitten place, one must hasten to apply remedies without giving [it] opportunity to spread. Let them make deep incisions into the bitten place with a razor and apply cupping-glasses, draw off a good deal of blood, and pour gunpowder onto the incised place and set fire [to it], or wash [it] with sal ammoniac dissolved in water, or with strong brine, or with plain water. Cauterizing with a heated iron is also very good. When the wound takes to suppurating, in order to draw out the venom one must use the ointment of number 82 for up to one month, mixing into it a little cantharides [blistering fly powder] or crushed pepper. 58. Until the wound takes to suppurating, so that that fearful alteration written of in articles 55 and 56 does not occur, for twelve days or more one must have [the patient] drink the medicine of number 92, morning and evening, with tea of elder, or chamomile, or mallow. These remedies can help... ...a man, and there be a suspicion of its having run mad, they must immediately apply to a physician; and if and when he testifies that it is rabid, let them immediately kill the animals it has bitten and bury [them] deep. In many places they have the custom that when an unknown dog bites someone, they take medicine without inquiry. This sort of conduct is contrary to sound judgment. If a truly rabid dog touches a man, or its slaver rubs against the clothes, let him bury the clothes in the ground, but for himself no medicine is necessary. But if the teeth touch the flesh, at that time he must immediately take medicine, especially if the above-mentioned signs are observed upon the dog.