Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe Rabies
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Feb 10, 2026 They explore a recent organ-transmitted rabies case and the global toll of tens of thousands of deaths each year. They trace ancient and bizarre historical remedies and explain how domestication changed transmission risks. The conversation covers wildlife reservoirs, differences between regions, vaccine development, and practical prevention steps like wound care and pet vaccination.
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Bat Contact Scare
- Kelly tells how she once picked up a dead bat with her bare hand and called poison control to ask about rabies vaccination.
- Poison control advised she was probably fine, but Kelly wanted certainty and worried about risk.
Ancient Recognition Of Transmission
- Historical records from 4,000 years ago show societies recognized dog saliva transmitted a deadly condition, implying early disease awareness.
- That suggests rabies existed long before domestication and people linked bites and saliva to fatal outcomes.
Ridiculous Old Cures
- Kelly recounts bizarre historical cures like placing a rooster's cloaca or dog brain on a bite, which obviously failed.
- Some supposed cures 'worked' only because many bites never carried rabies, creating misleading folklore.