“ But  the  Success  not  corresponded  with  the  Result  hoped  for ”

Edict (by Frederick William, King of Prussia, Margrave of Brandenburg) Regarding the Becoming Rabid of the Dogs. Published Berlin February 20, 1797. (Berlin,) Georg Decker, (1797). Folio (34.5 x 24.5 cm). Title, 3 unnumbered ll. on 2 double leaves. With the printed royal signature along with the “L(oco) S(igilli)” mark and counter-signatures by von Blumenthal, Heinitz, Werder, Arnim, Struensee, and Schrötter. Uncut.

Watermarked Large Eagle. – With title vignette and large richly designed opening vignette with eagle (7 x 13.5 cm). – Apart from single pinheadsmall brown spots on the title impeccable.

Both  hunting-historically  and  medically  extraordinarily  interesting  proclamation

abolishing “the edict of February 20, 1767, and previous, too” and adjusting or regulating entirely new resp. combat and prophylactic measures – “that the so-called mad-worm below of the tongue shall be cut off the dogs”:

“ We thus decided to cancel above-mentioned edict concerning the cutting of the mad-worm of the dogs, as happens by this, and take other precautions by which man and live stock are protected against the bite of rabid dogs and the sad after-effects resulting from such a bite from Our subjects are averted ”.

Describing in six chapters the three grades of hydrophobia and regulating actions, punishments, and damages, also specialties for medical experiments by physicians, and the treatment of attacked persons:

“ The curing of the rabid dogs … is forbidden; except that a physician would like to experiment with this to broaden his knowledge … The moment a person is bitten by a rabid or even just suspicious dog … anyone who is first informed about this shall notify the district physician or surgeon who are already furnished with sufficient instructions in regard of the means of curing … likewise shall happen in view of the animals being the assets of man. ”

Offer no. 12,238 / EUR  322. / export price EUR  306. (c. US$ 396.) + shipping

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(Mrs. M. K., September 16, 2003)