454 RABIES CANIXA, OR HYDROPHOBIA. 



to the effect that only 5 per cent, of the persons bitten con- 

 tract hydrophobia. Tardieu says that this is vastly under 

 the truth, and only to be explained by including non- 

 rabid bites. 



Symptoms. Two forms of rabies have been described, 

 the dumb and the larking rabies. They are only varieties 

 of the same condition, dependent on peculiarities, so far as 

 the symptoms are concerned, in particular cases. 



There are four stages of the disease, the incubative, the 

 period of invasion, the critical stage, and the stage of decline 

 and death. 



The period of incubation varies in a most remarkable 

 manner; and the result of an inquiry into 224 cases proves 

 the appearance of the disease in less than a month in 40, 

 from one to three months in 143, from three to six months 

 in 30, and from six to twelve months in 11 cases. In 

 children it has been as short as fifteen or even thirteen 

 days, and rarely extends beyond twenty-five or thirty days. 



The period of invasion is marked by an animal manifest- 

 ing rather strange habits and desires. It may be more 

 than ordinarily affectionate to its master, or it may be- 

 gin by showing signs of discontentment. Eestlessness, a 

 capricious appetite, and indeed a desire to swallow filth 

 and to lick urine, &c., are noticed. The animal's expres- 

 sion then changes, and is so characteristic, that when once 

 seen it is never again forgotten. There is a peculiar, wild, 

 anxious stare, which persons commonly attribute to some 

 painful condition of the throat, or to a bone, &c. Very 

 commonly ladies present themselves at the continental 

 veterinary colleges, stating that their pet dog has swallowed 

 a bone which has remained in the gullet, and when the 

 professor sees the animal, he at once declares it rabid. In 

 some cases there is dulness, laboured breathing, redness of 



