RABIES 



which causes the dog to swallow coals, pieces of stick, hair, 

 and other substances which he would otherwise decline 

 to eat. Although he seeks quiet he is usually as affec- 

 tionate as ever to those he loves, in fact, often more 

 demonstrative than is his wont, and in this there is an 

 additional source of danger to those about him; for the 

 saliva of a dog which is in a rabid state is capable of com- 

 municating the disease to other animals and to men for 

 many days before the acute symptoms appear if it comes 

 into contact with a cut or scratch, and hence the danger 

 of a lick from the tongue of a dog which is suffering from 

 rabies. When the acute stage is reached the dog turns 

 from sullenness to ferocity, and will often attack strangers 

 and other dogs though his ordinary nature is quite gentle ; 

 but it may be added that he is usually affectionate to his 

 owner and those he knows. His bark changes into a sort 

 of snappish howl, and the restlessness increases to such an 

 extent that in some instances he will endeavour to gnaw 

 his w^ay out of his kennel and stray away for miles, return- 

 ing to his home if he can find his way back, quite exhausted 

 by his tramp. In the course of his march he usually takes 

 little notice of people he may meet, but will readily attack 

 dogs, which of course may become affected by rabies, 

 though the danger may be quite unsuspected by their 

 owners. He does not rush wildly about, as many people 

 imagine, but proceeds at a slouching gait, with his head 

 and tail hanging down, the very picture of extreme dejec- 

 tion. In due course paralysis sets in ; but in most instances 

 the sufferer endures paroxysms of violence, in which he 

 will endeavour to tear to pieces all the things about him. 

 He is also consumed by thirst but cannot swallow, which 

 fact is doubtless responsible for the popular fallacy that a 

 rabid dog has a hatred of water. There being no cure for 

 rabies, a dog which is known to be suffering from it should 

 be promptly destroyed, as he is a source of serious danger 

 to all about him. At the same time if a doubt exists, and 

 especially if he has bitten anybody or another dog, it is 



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