HYDROPHOBIA 199 



my; they rush forward and snap at the air; they throw theselves, howling 

 and furious, against a wall, as though they heard sounds beyond it. 



"While at first the affected dog may not be disposed to bite, it be- 

 comes more dangerous as his hallucinations and delirium increase. The 

 voice of the master or of an acquaintance may dispel the aberrations tem- 

 porarily and lead him to friendly demonstrations, but an unexpected move- 

 ment or touch may bring on another access and lead to a quick and un- 

 expected bite. 



"The disturbance of the sensations leads to chills and itching. If the 

 place where the bite occurred is accessible the dog licks the scar, and 

 later bites and tears the tissues. This tearing of the flesh is not always 

 confined to the site of the inoculation, but certain regions of the body 

 appear to lose their sensitiveness, and at the same time to convey to the 

 brain the sensation of itching. The animal in this case bites into its own 

 flesh with apparent pleasure and satisfaction. 



Such animals take food until the disease is considerably advanced, 

 if it is something which can be swallowed without mastication; other- 

 wise it is dropped after remaining a short time in the mouth. 



"Difficulty in swallowing is an early symptom, and frequently leads 

 the unsuspecting owner to conclude that the animal has a bone in his 

 throat. A dog which appears to have a bone in his throat is on general 

 principles one of the most dangerous animals in existence. The supposed 

 bone may be there, but on the other hand the symptoms which lead to this 

 supposition may be due to partial paralysis caused by rabies, and the owner 

 may be inoculated with the virulent saliva while thrusting his finger or 

 hand in the dog's mouth to discover a bone which has no existence but in 

 his imagination. 



"It is commonly believed that mad dogs have fear of water and are 

 unable to drink, but there could be no greater mistake. In this respect they 

 differ entirely from the human patient. They have no fear or dread of 

 water, but continue to drink until paralysis has progressed so far that 

 they are no longer able to swallow. The fact that a suspected dog is 

 seen to drink or to wade into a stream is consequently no evidence that 

 he is not mad. 



"When the furious symptoms come on, the dog leaves his home and 

 goes upon a long chase, with no apparent object in view other than to be 

 traveling onward. He trots at a rapid pace, eye haggard, tail depressed, 

 indifferent to his surroundings. He flies at and bites dogs and persons 

 whom he meets, but usually does not apparently search for them, or even 

 notice them if they remain quiet. Dogs in this condition may travel many 

 miles, and finally drop from exhaustion and die. Often after an absence 

 of a day or two they return to their home, exhausted, emaciated, covered 

 with dust and blood, and presenting a most forlorn and miserable appear- 

 ance. Those who have pity for such an animal and try to make it clean 

 and comfortable, are in great danger of being bitten, for the disease has 

 advanced to a point where the delirium or insanity is most marked, and 

 where a treacherous bite is most common. Doubtless the clog has no in- 

 tention of injuring a friend, and would not do so did he net see that 

 friend transformed by his disordered vision into some distorted and un- 

 recognizable shape, which he thinks is about to injure him. But while 

 we may give the dog due credit for not intentionally and deliberately 

 inoculating his friends with his fatal virus, let us not forget that the 

 inoculation is no less deadly because it is the result of the abnormal working 

 of a disordered mind. Whatever the sentiment may be which leads the dog 

 to turn upon his master or mistress and inflict an injury, the duty remains 

 the same for the owner to take due precautions to prevent such an oc- 

 currence. 



"If the animal, instead of being allowed to escape, is kept confined, 

 the paroxysms of fury are seen to occur intermittently, or, in the absence 

 of provacation, they may be entirely wanting. If excited, it howls, rushes 

 upon objects that are thrust toward it, or throws itself against the bars of 

 its cage and bites with great fury. 



