SYMPTOMS IN THE DOG 601 



furious or irritable, and the dumb or paralytic. The latter type is 

 always seen in the terminal stages of the former; and when the cases 

 are of the dumb form from the outset it is probable that the toxemia 

 is overwhelming, and such cases usually run a more rapid fatal course. 



"The Furious Type. In the furious type, following the variable 

 period of incubation, there is first noticed a change in the dispo- 

 sition of the animal which should at once excite suspicion. Playful 

 animals become morose and quiet, and reserved dogs may become 

 unusually affectionate. The animal is nervous and easily excited, 

 but obeys any command of its owner. In the course of a day or two 

 the nervous condition increases and the animal becomes irritable 

 and may snap if approached suddenly or startled. The bark becomes 

 changed to a long-drawn-out combination between a whine and a 

 howl, impossible to describe, but never forgotten when once heard. 

 Some dog owners speak of it as being somewhat of the nature of the 

 bark of a foxhound while in the hunt, but this does not properly 

 describe it. The animal if loose may pick up and swallow straw, 

 sticks, stones, leather, and other foreign bodies." 



In some cases there is a tendency to bite parts of the skin, usually 

 at the point where the animal was bitten, and in one case observed 

 by Hart the animal chewed the skin over the os calcis until the entire 

 head of the bone was exposed to view. 



"There is a marked tendency in these early stages for the animal 

 to seek quiet spots and to hide in corners or dark places. If an 

 attempt is made to remove the animal, the person is in great danger 

 of being bitten. The restlessness of the animal becomes more marked. 

 He may stand looking intently into space as if at an imaginary object. 

 There is difficulty in swallowing, and saliva may dribble from the 

 mouth. The irritability increases until the animal becomes furious, 

 biting at a stick or other object thrust toward him. At this stage, 

 if the animal is not secured, he may leave home and travel for miles. 

 During the long journey he will fight with dogs and attack other 

 animals in his path, but never barks or makes any outcry during 

 these attacks. The animal may go twenty to twenty-five miles from 

 home, but always returns, if not prevented, in an exhausted condition, 

 covered with wounds and dirt and greatly emaciated. Signs of 

 commencing paralysis now appear, with drooping of the lower jaw, 

 inability to swallow, and irregularity in the pupils. The legs become 

 paralyzed and the animal passes into the dumb form of the disease. 



"Dumb Rabies. This form of the disease occurs in only a small 

 percentage of the cases. The symptoms are somewhat similar to 

 those of furious rabies, except that marked irritability is absent and 

 there is an early appearance of paralysis. This form of the disease, 

 therefore, renders the dog less dangerous than the furious, type. 

 The animal lies quietly in some secluded place and appears to be 

 stupid. The paralysis of the jaw comes on early, the tongue pro- 

 trudes and becomes congested and covered with dirt, giving rise to 



