Rabies in 19th century Great Britain

Rabies was a well known clinical condition in Great Britain in the early part of the 19th century. The 7th edition of Thomas' practice published in 1821(1) has a 15-page section on hydrophobia, rabies or canine madness. The text correctly describes the transmission of the disease, the incubation of the disease after the bite (20-40 days) and the poor prognosis. Death inevitably occurred 3-4 days after the patient experienced symptoms of spasms in the throat and a dread of water. Symptom relief with laudanum and opium...