DR. LEGEAR'S STOCK BOOK. 375 



mation; but when the disease itself has set in, the wound may 

 show evidence of irritation or inflammation, which causes the 

 animal to gnaw or bite it, without feeling the slightest pain 

 therefrom. If the animal is confined by a chain, he attempts to 

 bite it in two; if by a door, he vents his fury on that. At this 

 stage he has not the slightest sense of pain, as he will bite a red- 

 hot iron exactly as if it were cold, if presented to him. If al- 

 lowed water to drink, he will usually upset the vessel in his hurry 

 to quench his thirst. At the appearance of some stranger he 

 will bark as if angry, suddenly changing to a voice of joy and 

 ecfrtacy, then he will whine as if desiring something, then change 

 again into a lonely, dismal howl, as if lost, or that approaching 

 trouble was at hand; then he may become really natural for a few 

 minutes, followed with the same symptoms, only increased until 

 the whole muscular system is completely overcome with hideous, 

 tetanic convulsions, which, however, soon disappear, and the 

 characteristic howling commences again, which is readily recog- 

 nized by an expert as that of a mad dog. 



The constitutional symptoms are increased temperature, nerv- 

 ous excitability, respirations of a sobbing or sighing character, 

 etc. One peculiarity of the disease is that the affected animal 

 shows a great antipathy to animals of its own species. After two 

 or three days of terrible suffering the animal succumbs, death 

 taking place either from a paroxysm of choking or in a tranquil 

 manner from nervous exhaustion. The power of swallowing 

 usually returns shortly before death, which generally takes place 

 in from two to five days. 



The second or dumb form is but a peculiar type of the disease, 

 which runs a much shorter course and without' the violent or 

 irritative stage. The animal is quiet and depressed and has but 

 little disposition to bite or run away. Paralysis of the lower jaw 

 early sets in, appetite perverted, changed voice rarely heard, pro- 

 gressive emaciation and exhaustion, and the poor sufferer seldom 

 lives beyond the third day. 



