Rabies notice, copperplate engraving, "Notice sur La Rage" France, 1800

Rabies, caused by a virus, is passed in the saliva and can thus be caught from the bite of an infected animal. Rabies has been feared throughout history. Until the successful demonstration of a vaccine by Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) it was invariably fatal, having the most distressing and painful symptoms due to its attack on the central nervous system.