The same Observation has been made by others in Bodies Dead of this Disease. Thus the _Acta Medica Hafniensia_ (84) relate one Case, in which, part of the Liver was _Inflamed_, the Lungs Parched and Dry, and the inner Coat of the _Stomach_ so _Mortified_, that it might be abraded with one’s Fingers.
_Bonetus_ (85) tells _another_, where all the _Viscera_ were found quite _arid_, without any Juice at all.
And in a very particular History of an _Hydrophobia_, lately published at _Ulm_, (86) We are informed, that the _Stomach_, when opened, discover’d the Marks of an _Erosion_ or Excoriation, with something like a Gangrene, and Suffusion of Blood here and there. Which does very well agree with the Observations in the _German Ephemerides_ (87), where we find several _Footsteps_ of a _Sphacelus_ or Mortification in the Bodies of Those who died _Hydrophobi_.
The Cure of this Poison is either immediately upon the Wound made, or some Days after, before the Fear of Water is discover’d; for at that time all Authors do agree the Malady to be Incurable; and the Reason is plain from what has been already deliver’d.
As in other Venomous Bites, so in this, _Galen_ (88) very wisely advises to inlarge the Wound, by making a round Incision about it, to Cauterise it with a hot Iron, and apply drawing Medicines, so as to keep it a running Ulcer at least Forty Days. (89) _Scarifying_ and _Cupping_ may answer where this Severity is not allow’d: And however, the Dressing it with _Unguentum Ægyptiacum_ (or the like) Scalding Hot, must not be omitted; by which alone, timely applied, I am assured that one Bitten was happily preserved.
But where these Means of destroying the Ferment in the beginning are omitted, the dangerous Consequences of its being mixed with the Blood is by all possible Care to be prevented.
To this purpose, to say nothing of the many Inconsiderate Jumbles of _Antidotes_, _Theriacas_, &c. nor of such vulgar Trifles as the _Liver_ of the Mad Dog, of which _Galen_ (90) observed, that tho’ some who made use of it, together with other good Medicines, recover’d, yet that they who trusted to it alone died; one of the greatest Remedies commended to us by Antiquity, is the _Cineres Cancrorum Fluviatilium_; which _Galen_ (91) says, no Body ever made use of, and miscarried; and before Him _Dioscorides_ (92) assured, that ’tis a Medicine may be rely’d on. These were given in large Quantities, _viz._ a good Spoonful or Two every Day for Forty Days together, either alone, or rather mix’d with the Powder of _Gentian Root_ and _Frankincense_. The _Vehicle_ was either Water or Wine. In like manner at this Day the Remedy in the greatest Repute of any against most Poisons in the _West-Indies_, is a kind of a _River-Craw-Fish_, call’d _Aratu_ (93).