THE COMMON DOG. 87 



and very few of the species escape it altogether. 

 In its worst form it is so severe, as to be sometimes 

 mistaken for canine madness ; fortunately, however, 

 for the happiness of mankind, it is very different 

 from that, in every essential particular. 



To hydrophobia, or madness, all Dogs are liable ; 

 and from this dreadful malady, many melancholy 

 events proceed every year. Opinions differ as to 

 the cause of hydrophobia. It is usually asserted, 

 (though apparently without foundation,) to be 

 most frequent after long dry and hot seasons ; and 

 some experienced men say, that such Dogs as live 

 on putrid carrion, without plenty of fresh water, 

 are more liable to it than others. 



The symptoms are stated to be these. The Dog 

 at first looks dull, shows an aversion to his food, and 

 lo company. He does not bark as usual, but utters, 

 occasionally, a most dismal and plaintive howl, 

 which no person, who has once heard, can ever 

 forget. His ears and tail, drop more than usual. 

 He lolls out his tongue, froths at the mouth, and 

 his eyes seem heavy and watery. If not confined, 

 he escapes, and runs panting along, with a deject- 

 ed air, and endeavours to bite any one he meets. 

 After the first symptoms of madness, there are two 

 or three days, during which the Dog has sufficient 

 sense to distinguish and acknowledge his master. 

 But if he is loose, he will, in general, even at this 

 time, bite whatever comes in his way. He will 

 sometimes, during this stage of the disease, leave 



G 4 his 



