Pulvis Contra Rabiem
Powder Against Rabies


Tradition:


Western

Source / Author:


Pirou

Herb Name

Rue
Vervain
Plantain
Sage
Polypody
Mint
Wormwood
Mugwort
Balm
Betony
Lesser Centaury
St. John’s Wort

Latin


Ruta graveolens
Verbena o
fficinalis
Plantago majus

Salvia o
fficinalis
Polypodium vulgare
Mentha spp.
Artemisia absinthum
Artemisia vulgaris
Melissa o
fficinalis
Betonica o
fficinalis
Centaurium erythraea
Hypericum perforatum

Amount













equal parts

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:


Clears Heat and Toxin, resists Infection

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.

Cautions:


None noted

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 affi
rms 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)
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