Powder Against Rabies

Pulvis Contra Rabiem
Powder Against Rabies

Tradition:

Western

Source / Author:

Pirou

Herb Name	Latin	Amount *
Rue	Ruta graveolens	equal parts
Vervain	Verbena officinalis
Plantain	Plantago majus
Sage	Salvia officinalis
Polypody	Polypodium vulgare
Mint	Mentha spp.
Wormwood	Artemisia absinthum
Mugwort	Artemisia vulgaris
Balm	Melissa officinalis
Betony	Betonica officinalis
Lesser Centaury	Centaurium erythraea
St. John’s Wort	Hypericum perforatum

Preparation:

Gather the herbs around the full moon in Spring or Summer; dry, and powder. Some preferred to keep the herbs whole in small bags, ready to powder to when needed.

Function:

Use:

1. Specific against Rabies infection after a bite from a Rabid animal.
2. Other Venomous Bites
3. also used against Epidemic diseases,
4. Madness, Mania and Melancholy.

Dose:

1⁄2–1, or 2 drams with wine or in Honey, taken immediately after being bitten, then in the morning fasting, for 9 or 15 days consecutively after a Bite. In cases where symptoms began to be seen, the dose used was 3–4 drams, even twice daily.

Modifications:

1. It is stronger if Pimpernel and burnt River Crab is added.
2. Some took it with 1⁄2 dram Viper powder.

It is an interesting formula in that a number of the medicines have demonstrated Anti-viral effects. It may therefore, potentially serve the basis for other Anti-viral formulas.
This powder was invented by Monsieur Pirou, and the Receipt is in a Treatise of the biting of a Mad Dog, written by Monsieur Palmerius, a Physician of Paris, who affirms that he has often tried it, and seen the wonderful effects of it, and that they that used it, had been cured of the Hydrophobia, so that they never had the Distemper; and that they that had it, had been freed from it by taking this Powder, provided they had not been bit in the Head, in the parts above the Teeth, or that they had not washed the parts bitten with water; in which cases he believes there is little hope of cure’. (The Royal Pharmacopoeia [of France], Charras, 1678)