356 Dr Wagner's Observations on Rabies or Madness 



dently occurs under two distinct forms. In solitary cases, 

 where we are previously aware of the animal having been bit- 

 ten, we should scarcely be led to a suspicion of rabies. The 

 commencement and progress are as follows : — With a heal- 

 thy exterior and clear eye, the animal loses its appetite, eats, 

 and drinks by fits only, without, however, refusing choice mor- 

 sels that may be offered to it ; at times it appears as if suddenly 

 stupified, recedes from the manger, and forgets to chew, then 

 again chews on, listens with liveliness to every noise that is 

 made, seems to notice every object, continues to obey its keeper, 

 and sometimes remains capable of working : borborygmi are, 

 however, already to be heard, and there is sometimes observ- 

 able a slight straining or disposition to tenesmus. In the cow, 

 the secretion of milk decreases, but by no means ceases at the 

 very commencement. In the open air, the animal ceases to 

 graze, appears lost, strays from the rest of the herd ; although 

 when, by itself, it generally allows itself to be led quietly back 

 to the stable. 



After the lapse of from one to three days, all the symptoms 

 increase ; neither hunger nor thirst is experienced, although no 

 dread of water is apparent, and the animal still ruminates at 

 intervals. The eyes have commonly a healthy look, but flash 

 at times without seeming inflamed. The creature lows but sel- 

 dom ; but when it does several times consecutively, and either 

 with a hoarse tone, or, on the contrary, in so clear and power- 

 ful a key, that I have heard it distinctly at a distance of more 

 than a mile. The mouth and tongue have still nothing abnor- 

 mal about them. The borborygmi increase. At the same time the 

 animals are observed to lick some particular part of their bodies, 

 especially one of the feet (probably the spot where they were 

 bitten) until that part becomes excoriated and bleeds. Palsy 

 of the loins now ensues ; the animal remains lying, and, if for- 

 ced to rise, which it does with difficulty, totters on its hind 

 legs ; an increased straining is remarked at the anus, and this 

 is sometimes followed by hard but ultimately by thin evacua- 

 tions ; it moves its head alternately from side to side, and ap- 

 pears anxious to lick at cloth or fur, &c., which it by degrees 

 gets between its teeth, and tears. To this the suffering animal 



