This I a real story happened in 1974 in Maharashtra, India, where I worked as medical officer in a primary care centre in Apatapa, Akola District.   I was called upon to examine a female patient aged about 28 years. She was complaining of pains all over the body, running temperature, headache and also feeling uneasiness. I have necessary medicine and rated it as a emergency case.   In spite of good treatment, her signs and symptoms are recurring after a brief period of relief. After 4-6 hours, I enquired the patient about the complaints, whether it is the first time or any similar past history.   Then, the relative of the patient informed me that there is no such past history. But, she earlier came to the PHC for dog bite treatment.   Then, I recollected previous history of the patient. It is as follows:   Two months back, this young lady came to the centre with a history of dog bite. I came to know that it was a street dog and suspected that it was a case of Rabies (also known as Hydrophobia). After giving first aid and Tetanus vaccine, I advised her to go to Government general hospital, Akola for taking Anti-Rabies vaccine as they are not available with us.   In stead of going to main hospital, they went to local rural unauthorized doctor. He gave some injections and tablets and sent them to their village. Afterwards, she did not come to see me. She might not have developed signs and symptoms of Rabies.   For most of infectious disease, there is an incubation period i.e. the time of getting infection and developing signs of symptoms.   This patient developed signs and symptoms after 2 months. She died on the next day. I explained to the relatives about the cause of the death.   In Rabies case, she may not take any thing through mouth or intravenous route as throat muscles contract and could not allow any thing to swallow. Patient may die due to dehydration. The Quack’s selfishness and lack of knowledge between ordinary dog bite and mad dog bite, patient paid the penalty.   I saved many tribal lives from rabies by explaining the severity of this disease, while I worked as a medical officer in Maredumilli in Andhra Pradesh, India.   Please comment on this article. … [Read more...]