82 PKACTICE OF EQUINE MEDICINE. 



EQUINE RABIES. 



What are the synonyms ? 



Madness, equine madness. 



What is rabies ? 



It may be defined to be an acute functional, contagious dis- 

 ease, occurring in the dog, cat, wolf, and fox, and transmitted to 

 man and all animals by inoculation, and characterized by varying 

 reflex and nervous symptoms. 



Define hydrophobia. 



This literally means, dread of water. There is an inability 

 to swallow water, on account of a paralysis of the muscles about the 

 throat. 



What is the period of incubation of rabies ? 



In the horse it varies from two to eight weeTcs; in the dog it 

 varies from one weeTc to six months; in the ox, from two to four weeks; 

 in the sheep, from three to six weeks; in swine, from three to seven 

 weeks; in man, from two to nine weeks. 



What are some of the symptoms shown in the horse ? 



The horse becomes nervous, excitable, and violent; it kicks 

 and bites at the stall as well as itself or objects near by, or the 

 groom, often causing fracture of the jaw. 



The animal neighs, trembles, rubs against the sides of the stall; 

 there is an impaired appetite, paralysis of the pharynx and of the 

 posterior extremity, convulsions, coma, followed by death in horn 

 four to seven days. 



What treatment is recommended ? 



Thoroughly cauterize the wound with acids, caustics, or the 

 actual cautery, and treat antiseptically. 



The Pasteur treatment is highly recommended, and should be 

 used. This consists in inoculating the animal with a specially pre- 

 pared serum. 



