Pasteur, Louis. Autograph Letter Signed ("L. Pasteur"), one page plus blank integral leaf, in French, 8¼ x 5¼ inches, n.p., October 8, 1885. To an unknown correspondent, Pasteur writes, "Sir, The law is precise--any dog bitten by a rabid dog ought to be destroyed. I would vaccinate him as I would not want to send him back to his owner." Fine.
Rabies was a problem throughout Europe during the 19th century and it was not uncommon for people to die from "hydrophobia." Pasteur began working on the prevention of rabies in 1880. By 1884, preventive vaccinations of dogs had proved effective and Pasteur decided to give his vaccination to humans to create immunity after a bite. Eighteen days after he wrote this letter, Pasteur would show the results of his treatment against rabies in humans to the French Academy of Sciences.
Estimated Value $6,000 - 8,000.
Scientists and Engineers
