Miscellaneous Intelligence. 2i7 



Saii ration is observed only in the rare instances where there is considerable 

 swelling of the pharynx, and consequently difficulty in swallowing-.— Another 

 common error is to suppose that the tail is always held down between the 

 legs. On the contrary, it preserves its usual position till the animal becomes 

 very weak, and then it hangs down flaccid.— In like manner the gait is at 

 first unaltered. But as the disease advances, the hinder part of the body 

 becomes gradually weaker and weaker, and at length the hind legs are 

 completely paralyzed.— It is an error to suppose that mad dogs always run 

 straight forward. At first they run about snuffing and following the scent, 

 in various directions ; and when the biting-fit comes on they turn aside in 

 quest of objects. It is only when the disease is in its advanced stage, and 

 the animal's intelligence blunted, that it runs straight forward. 



In the Calm form of Rabies a change of behaviour is remarked as in the 

 former variety; and for the most part the animal becomes inactive, listless, 

 and sorrowfui. The most striking and important symptom of this variety 

 is paralysis of the lower jaw, so that the mouth is constantly more or less 

 open. The dropping of the jaw has been ascribed by some authors to 

 spasmodic contraction of the muscles which open it. But this is an erroneous 

 idea; the real cause being a paralysis or weakness of the muscles which 

 close the jaw, as may easily be seen from the facility with which the jaw can 

 be raised with the finger so as to close the mouth. The paralysis is different 

 in degree in different cases: some dogs cannot shut the mouth during their 

 whole illness or under any circumstances ; while others, when excited, can 

 close it for a few seconds so as to bite. The palsied state of the jaw prevents 

 them from swallowing, so that the fluids which they lap run out by the 

 corners of the mouth, and the saliva also commonly flows out in the same 

 manner. The tip of the tongue often projects a little between the the teeth. 

 Animals affected with the calm form of rabies have much less propensity to 

 bite than those who have it in the raging form ; and they have also less 

 tendency to change place or run away from their home. Their dry is 

 changed precisely in the same manner; but it is much more seldom heard ; 

 and some dogs do not cry at all. In all other respects but those now men- 

 tioned, the symptoms of the calm and raging varieties are the same. 



The course of the disease differs considerably. Death is commonly 

 preceded by gradual exhaustion of the strength ; and it is inevitable. From 

 six to eight days is the ordinary duration; but some animals die sooner and 

 others live ten days. Dr. Hertwig never saw an instance where the animal 

 survived that period. 



The history of which we have here given an abstract, agrees in most 

 particulars with an account published a few years ago by Mr. Youatt, a 

 veterinary surgeon of London, (Lond. Med. Repos. 182b', ii. 448,) but is much 

 more full and complete. 



The Morbid Appearances laid down by our author are the result of nearly 

 200 dissection, in which the precaution was frequently taken of examining at 

 the same time, as a point of comparison, the collateral appearances in a 

 healthy dog. The result is equally unsatisfactory with that at whieh other 

 observers have arrived in endeavouring to ascertain the pathology of the 

 disease as it occurs in man. "Although," says Dr. Hertwig, "I have 

 witnessed in particular cases every appearance which prior observers have 

 seen and recorded, I must nevertheless confess, that with all the pains I took 

 I have been unable to discover any constant change of structure or one 

 peculiar to Rabies, and that, like the symptoms during life, the appearances 

 after death are very different in their variety, extent, and intensity." — 

 " Notwithstanding all this, however, the data derived from the inspection of 

 the body are of great importance, and it is quite possible to draw from them 

 a correct conclusion on the question as to the pre-existence of rabies." 



The subcutaneous veins are full of black, tarry blood. The brain and 

 spinal chord, as well as their membranes, are turgid with blood. The 

 muzzle is sometimes a little swelled about the lips. The tongue in general 

 is not swollen ; nor are any vesicles, tubercles, or scars to be seen under it ; 

 but its surface is covered with a dirty, dryish slime. The salivary glands are 

 yellowish, not swelled or turgid with blood. The fauces are abundantly 

 covered with tough mucus, which extends into the nostrils; the pharynx 

 contracted, and commonly moist and white, sometimes, however, a little 

 (welled and reddened; the gullet natural. The stomach is in general m >u 



Be 



