78 RABIES. 



The most interesting and satisfactory symptom is the evident 

 dread of water which exists in the decided majority of cases, and 

 the impossibility of swallowing any considerable quantity. 



As the disease progresses, not only is the animal rapidly debili- 

 tated, but there* is the peculiar staggering gait which is observable 

 in the dog — referable to evident loss of power in the muscles of 

 he lumbar region. Although this symptom is not often observed 

 .n the dog, it is a satisfactory identification of the disease, when 

 it is so frequently seen in the horse, and so invariably in the hu- 

 man being. 



The earliest and perhaps the most decisive symptom of the 

 near approach of rabies in the horse,, is a spasmodic movement of 

 the upper lip, particularly of the angles of the lip. Close follow- 

 ing on this, or contemporaneous with it, is the depressed and anx- 

 ious countenance, and inquiring gaze, suddenly however lighted 

 up and becoming fierce and menacing, from some unknown cause, 

 or at the approach of a stranger. From time to time different 

 parts of the frame — the eyes — the jaws — particular limbs — will 

 be convulsed. The eye will occasionally wander after some im- 

 aginary object, and the horse will snap again and again at that 

 which has no real existence. Then will come the irrepressible 

 desire to bite the attendants or the animals within its reach. To 

 this will succeed the demolition of the rack, the manger, and the 

 whole furniture of the stable, accompanied by the peculiar dread 

 of water which has been already alluded to. 



Towards the close of the disease there is generally paralysis, 

 usually confined to the loins and the hinder extremities, or involv- 

 ing those organs which derive their nervous influence from this 

 portion of the spinal cord ; — hence the distressing tenesmus 

 (ineffectual attempt to stool) which is occasionally seen. 



The disease rarely extends beyond the third day. 



After death, there is uniformly found inflammation at the back 

 part of the mouth, and at the top of the windpipe, and likewise 

 in the stomach, and on the membrane covering the lungs, and 

 where the spinal marrow first issues from the brain. 



When the disease can be clearly connected with a previous 

 bite, the sooner the animal is destroyed the better, for there is no 

 cure. If the symptoms bear considerable resemblance to rabies, 

 although no bite is suspected, the horse should at least be slung, 

 and the medicine, if any is administered, given in the form of a 

 drink, and with the hand well protected ; for if it should be 

 scratched in balling the horse, or the skin should have been pre- 

 viously broken, the saliva of the animal is capable of communi 

 eating the disease. Several farriers have lost their lives from 

 being bitten or scratched in the act of administering medicine to 

 a rabid horse. 



