Helps for suddain accidents endangering life By which those that liue farre from physitions or chirurgions may happily preserue the life of a poore friend or neighbour, till such a man may be had to perfect the cure. Collected out of the best authours for the generall good, by Stephen Bradvvell. physition.

CHAP. X.

The Biting of a Madde Dogge.

ALthough in this our coun∣trey of England, I haue neither seene nor heard of any such terrible dangers hap∣pening to people by a mad-dogs biting, as in other Regions: yet I haue seene Dogs mad. But the care that hath been used for pre∣vention, hath perhaps hindred the sight of those Accidents

which old Authors haue so la∣boriously Commented upon. And besides that, the tempera∣ture of our Climate keepeth the Dogges of our Countrey from prooving altogether so pernici∣ous as in Graecia and Arabia. For Aëtius saith that the mad Dogs are worst in intemperate Cli∣mates, where the Winters cold & Summers heate are extreame. Tetr. 2. Serm. 2. cap. 24. Howso∣ever, I will set downe a briefe course of helpe, to prevent, the incurablenesse of the mischiefe; as I haue it from the best Au∣thors.

This kinde of madnesse pro∣ceedeth from blacke Cholerick juices wherewith a dogge more than other Beasts aboundeth.* 1.1 For he is of temperament hot and drie; as appeareth by many

proofes. As first, by his conti∣nuall eager appetite (being al∣wayes hungry) and greedinesse in devouring any filthy offalls; Flesh putrified, stinking, and full of Maggots; whether it be raw, & perhaps buried under ground; or any other way rotten and in∣fectious. Also they will drinke of any durtie puddle, or stinking ditch-water: which kinde of drinke wondrously encreaseth blacke choler. And besides this, at two seasons of the yeare espe∣cially are Dogges most subject to madnesse; which is the surest of all arguments: namely, in the height of Summer, and in the depth of Winter. By Summers fervencie their bloud being o∣ver-heated, turneth into burnt choller: And through Winters extreame cold, the same bloud

is per Antiperistasin, so much en∣flamed, that it becommeth burnt Melancholy.

You shall know a Dog to be madde,* 1.2 by these signes. He is affraid of Water, and at the sight of it, trembles and bristles vp his necke; his eyes are fiery and gla∣ring; he runnes to and from, and reels this way and that way, like one that is drunke; hee holds downe his head, gapes with his mouth, lils out his tongue (which is blackish, or evill coloured) sla∣vers at the mouth, and his nose runneth: he snaps and bites at e∣very thing in his way, but barkes not at all; he couches his eares, carries his tayle betwixt this legs. Other Dogs (though bigger than he) flie from him at the smell of him. He takes no notice of any friend, neither spareth to bite

his owne Master: and being gone out of the house, never repayreth backe againe to it (unlesse by chance) for he knoweth no place aright.

Whosoever therefore is bitten by such a Dog, must presently be looked to. And if the Dog that hath bitten, haue passed by so suddainly, that sufficient notice could not be taken of him: Then dip a little bread in the bloud of the wound, and offer it to some other Dog that is not madde; and if he refuse to eate it: there is cause of suspition.

Or take a Wallnut-kernell pil∣led, beat it in a morter, then steep it in the bloud of the wound; and giue it to some Poultry mix∣ed with their meate. If they die the day after, it is counted a sure signe that that biting was of a Madde Dogge.

The partie so bitten findes no alteration in himselfe for diverse dayes after.* 1.3 For this biting is no more painful than as a wound, nor doth any such swellings or other Symptoms follow present∣ly vpon it; as in the bitings of Serpents. But after some time, the bitten partie begins to grow melancholy; and to haue strange & unwonted fancies in his mind, talkes to himselfe, and useth foo∣lish gestures: for now the power of the poyson having crept up into the braine, corrupteth the i∣magination. His sleeps are bro∣ken with terrors; and he leaues all company, choosing out soli∣tary walkes. If till this time there could be no certain knowledge. Now it is high time to begin a speedy helpe.* 1.4

For when once he comes to

barke like a Dogge, to hate the light, and sight of all shining me∣talls and looking-glasses; as also to feare water, & all other kindes of liquors (which Symptoms at last doth follow such bitings hi∣therto uncured) he is held to be past cure.* 1.5 But so long as he kno∣weth his owne face in a glasse, and is not frighted at it: or may be drawne to drinke water; he is (by Avicen and others) accoun∣ted curable.

As soone therefore as any one upō these signes suspecteth him∣selfe bitten by a Madde Dogge, let him presētly repayre to some learned Physition, or at least to some well experienced Chirur∣gion (for such extraordinary ca∣ses are beyond ordinary skills) if such may be had. Otherwise let some discreet man read care∣fully

this Treatise, and ponder the method very diligently; e∣specially this Chapter, which teacheth thus to begin the Cure.

Labour forthwith to draw the contagion out of the wound by cupping-glasses; application of Pullets or Pigeons that lay eggs, scarifications, Leeches, & draw∣ing medicines;* 1.6 as in the 7. Chap. I haue discoursed. If the wound be so small that it bleedeth not; scarifie the place, and with a cup∣ping-glasse draw out the bloud; or burne it with an hot iron, or els (if the patient will not endure the hot iron or actuall cautery) apply a potentiall cautery, or an eating Medicine; as Sublimate mixed with some cold thing, that it may be lesse painfull: as for example.

Take of Sublimate two drams,* 1.7 of

juice of Henbane one cunce, mixe them and drie them together, and make them into a fine powder. Ap∣ply some of this, and when the scabby crust (or escar) is growne dry upon the place, take it off with a little sweet butter, or with sweet butter, pitch, & the white of an egge mixed together.

When it is come off, fill the orifice with the powder of Mer∣curie and Roche Alum, or els use Mercurie mixed with a little Vn∣guentum Basilicon. Which Mer∣curie is an excellent thing, not onely to keepe the wound open, but also to draw the poyson out∣ward. The wound must be kept open fortie dayes at least: In which time,* 1.8 the juice of Sorrell is to be applied hot every night and morning; and the decoction (or broth) of the same hearbe, or

at least of meate boyled with the same, must be drunke by the pa∣tient every morning fasting. Aë∣tius saith, he knew an old man that cured this disease often, with this medicine onely.

Or els you may dissolue a little Andromachus Treacle in white wine or Aqua vitae;* 1.9 and dipping a little lint or ragge in the war∣med mixture, rubbe the orifice as hard as the patient can endure. This also is commended for an excellent Medicine; but then you must apply vpon it Honey and Turpentine mixed with an Onion or Garlicke beaten into the forme of a Poultis. And Ga∣len appointeth this Playster fol∣lowing to bee applyed to the wound. Take of Vineger a pint and a quarter, Opoponax three ounces, Tarre one ounce. Boyle away the

Vineger, and make it a Playster. And this is highly commended by the Author.

In the beginning of this mis∣chiefe wee must neither purge nor let bloud, for then wee shall draw the venom from the cir∣cumference to the center; which is dangerous to life. Yet both these meanes may be used after∣ward; if by continuance of time, and neglect in the beginning, the venom haue spread it selfe into all the vessels. In the meane time, we must set upon it with apt An∣tidotes. As with Garlick boyled in white Wine, and drunke fa∣sting; which resisteth the poy∣sons entrance into the principall parts. Or,

Let him drinke this draught every morning. Take the powders of Myrrhe and Gentian roote; of

each one dram; the powder of Ri∣ver-Crabs (or Crayfishes) two drams. Mixe them in a fit quantitie of white Wine, and drinke it. Or,

After Galens way, thus.

Take nine parts of the powder of burnt River-Crabs, fiue parts of Gentian roote powdered, and one of Frankincense powdered. Mix them together, and giue a spoonfull of it in a draught of Spring-water. These Antidotes are thus to be continued fortie daies together; and that in the beginning, before he feareth water: for after that, the quantities must be doubled.

The powder of Crabs is made thus.

Take River-Crabs,* 1.10 or Crayfishes, (for Sea-Crabs are naught for this use) in the height of Summer, when the Sunne is in Leo, and the Moone a little past the full. [But Rasis will

haue it, when the Sunne is in Aries. [Others in Cancer; it seemes à simi∣litudine] I will not disp ute the choyse: but the first is the most generally accepted, from Galen] These being gotten, must be put aliue into a copper vessell, and burnt on the fire to ashes. Then beate them in a Morter, searce them, and so reduce them into a fine Powder.

Another Author, called Iohan∣nes Stockerus, both in this, and in all other kindes of venomous bi∣tings, affirmeth, this course fol∣lowing, never to haue deceived him.

Take Gentian roote powdered,* 1.11 and Treacle of Andromachus, of each one dram, every morning fasting for three dayes together; and the Patient must fast fiue houres af∣ter. If he feele himselfe dispo∣sed to sweat, let him order him∣selfe

in his bed for it, and sweate as much as he can, or is able to beare.

To the wound, in manner of a Playster, applie Garlicke, Rue, and Salt pounded together in a Morter. And so much for the way of Cure in the beginning.

When he beginneth to be af∣fraid of water,* 1.12 he hardly admit∣teth of any Cure.

Now the reason of this Hydro∣phobia or feare of water is gene∣rally held to be,* 1.13 That the venom abusing the Phantasie, makes the partie affected to haue horrid i∣maginations of water. But some speciall Authors (having found by experience that the drinking of cold water causeth Convulsi∣ons in such over-dryed and par∣ched stomacks) conclude that it is extreame paine & torture pro∣ceeding

from that drinking that so terrifieth them from it. And this also is the reason why those that feare water are counted in∣curable.

Therefore the water that is forced into them ought to be at first very warme, and the partie must by degrees be brought to drinke it colder and colder; so likewise the Baths that they are to be cast into, ought to be in like temper, to avoyd all cramps and Convulsions both inward and outward. Neither must there be any Bath used at all (according to Oribasius) till twentie dayes af∣ter the biting, at the soonest.

This Hydrophobia (or feare of water) beginneth not at any cer∣taine time after the Biting. For most cōmonly it followeth for∣tie dayes after; in some, seaven

moneths; in others a whole yeare after. Againe in some it commeth within a fortnight af∣ter: According to the strength or weaknesse of the constitution of him that is bitten. For some bodies strength is able to resist the venom farre longer, when o∣thers weaknesse sinkes under it much sooner. Some haue their pores more streit to keepe out, others more open to let in the venom. Also some haue their bloud and humours more pure (and therefore lesse apt to in∣fection) others more impure and corrupt; therefore more easily turned into venom.

The maine generall Remedie is by Celsus & others held to be,* 1.14 Casting of the Patient into the Water before he be aware of it; and this to be done every day

for many dayes together: (For that which he feareth is the one∣ly Medicine to cure him). In do∣ing this, if he cannot swim, after he hath swallowed a good quan∣titie of the water, take him out againe. But if he be skilfull in swimming, hold him under wa∣ter a little while till he haue ta∣ken in some prettie quantitie; For thus both his extreame thirst and feare of Water will be soo∣nest cured. But let him not be long deeper than his nostrills, least hee be suffocated. It the Cramp or any Convulsion take him; as soone as he is out of the water, bath him all over with Sallet Oyle good and warme; which, as it will take away that Accident, so will it also stop the pores of the skin, and keepe the waters cooling quality from go∣ing

out againe too suddainly.

My selfe (upon the sight of a picture of the Water-Torture in Amboyna) haue conceited this invention.* 1.15 Let the Patient bee bound fast to some post or stake, and tie about his necke a linnen cloth doubled and cast into the forme of a hollow Bason (as you would make him looke like the signe of St. Iohn Baptists head in a platter) the cloth must first be dipped in Oyle and Waxe well mixed together, that it may hold water like a Bason: Then let one with an Ewer or Pitcher poure water gently into the cloth, till the water rise up to his nostrills, where through it may enter into his body (if he will not open his mouth) whether he will or no. Keepe the Water still at that height with continuall soft pou∣ring

in, til he hath drunke a good draught: onely sometimes for∣beare so much as to maintaine his breathing. Thus haue I out of a wicked weed sucked Honey for Health; and from an inhu∣mane torture extracted ease in a grievous sicknesse. This is the helpe without which is no help; for this case is held incurable without drinking of water.

Yet this is not all that must be done:* 1.16 For if the partie be Ple∣thorick (that is, too full of good bloud, which will appeare by his high colour, and his big and full veynes) he must be let bloud in the Liver-veyne, according to the discretion of the Artist. If Cacochymick (that is, full of cor∣rupted Humors) he must be pur∣ged with Sena, Epithymum, Fu∣moterrae, Mirobalans, Elaterium,

Blacke Helebor, and the like; or with Hamech, Diacatholicon or Diacolocynthis; with white wine, wherein is decocted also rootes of Fenell and Parsley, of medow∣grasse, water Lillies, and of Flower-Deluces, and such like diureticke simples: For the provocation of urine is also in this case very be∣hoouefull.

This only I set downe to make the cure compleat; but I doe not reduce the Purgatiues into form; because by this time there is lea∣sure enough to finde out a Phy∣sition.

Now in the last place the Pa∣tients Dyet commeth to be ob∣served.* 1.17 And such sicke ones must feed somthing liberally; for hun∣ger is very hurtfull to such as suf∣fer under venomous wounds. In the beginning of this disease,

Salt meats, and sharp Sauces are good, as Sorrell, Vineger, and Verjuice; also Garlicke, Onions, and Leekes, for by their helpe the mad venom is hindred from creeping into the noble parts. Fattie and slimie meats also are to be chosen, because they stop the passages, and mouths of the vessells, that they may not easi∣ly let in the poyson. His drinke must be stale middle Beere; And of Wines, Sherrys, and Graues-Cla∣ret or White are the best. But af∣ter eight, or at the farthest fifteen dayes are past, let his sauces be of a more temperate qualitie, tending rather to moyst than drie; and such as are proper to resist melancholy; as pickled Gelly-flowers, Broom-buds, Capars, Asparagus, and such like. In his Broths boyle Beets, Violets, Suc∣corie

and Endiue, Parsley, and Fen∣nell-roots; Anise-seeds and Fenell-seeds, and such other simples that provoke urine, (which as I sayd before are very profitable in this case) Also Sweet Wines, as Mus∣cadine, Canarie, and High-Countrey white wine. Sometimes also (to please the pallat; let him licke of Oxymel simplex, Syrrup of Citrons, or Syrrup of Lemons. He may also eat River-Crabs or Cray-fishes ei∣ther raw or buttered. But from the beginning the flesh that he eateth must be of Mutton, Veale, Lambe, Kid, Rabbet, Pullet, Chic∣ken, Partridge or Pheasant. Some counsell to mince some roasted Veale, and the Liver of the mad dogge roasted, together, and so let him eare it with a little but∣ter, water, and Vineger.

To conclude; His Belly must

be kept soluble (if need require) by gentle Giysters and Supposito∣ries: And his Sleepe must in the beginning be but little; but when he beginneth to rage, and is of himselfe overwakefull, it is good by some safe outward meanes (such as the Artist shall see cause to appoint) to cause Sleepe.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The cause of a Dogs Madnesse.
• * 1.2

  The Signes that a Dog is madde.
• * 1.3

  The Symp∣toms or Accidents that follow such Bi∣tings.
• * 1.4

  Incurable.
• * 1.5

  Curable.
• * 1.6

  Reade the 7. Chap.
• * 1.7

  An excel∣lent Cau∣sticke.
• * 1.8

  One way of Cure.
• * 1.9

  Galens way.
• * 1.10

  A Famous Medicine.
• * 1.11

  Stockers way of Cure.
• * 1.12

  The cure of Hydro∣phobia.
• * 1.13

  The reason of Hydro∣phobia.
• * 1.14

  The mayne Remedie.
• * 1.15

  The Au∣thors In∣vention.
• * 1.16

  Evacua∣tions.
• * 1.17

  Diet for those that are bitten with a mad Dogge.