Mad Dog (bites) and Englishmen: Early-modern remedies for Hydrophobia
I explore hydrophobia in early modern Britain, hunting manuscript recipes, newspapers and parish registers for recipes for mad dog bites. I unpack herbal cures like Lady's Bedstraw, Venice treacle mixtures, pewter, bloodletting and cold spring immersion. A close read of early modern rabies remedies and historic hydrophobia cures.
Rolly's Take
This blog speaks to the curious intellect, the kind of person who finds beauty in the obscure and revels in the history of human endeavor against nature's wrath. If you’ve ever felt a tingle of fascination at the juxtaposition of fear and remedy, you’ll resonate with the exploration of early-modern attitudes toward hydrophobia and the eclectic mix of herbal lore and superstitious practices. Here, the past unfurls its eccentricities, inviting you to ponder not only the methods employed but the deeper anxieties that shaped them. It’s a journey through time that reflects on humanity’s relentless search for understanding amidst the unknown, compelling you to reflect on how far we’ve come and yet, how much we still grapple with fear.