328 APPENDIX. D. 



more than usual watchfulness and restlessness; it Is often 

 ushered in by some peculiarity of manner, some departure from 

 ihe ordinary habits of the animal, or by the introduction of new 

 ijnc.-i. In many instances, but more particularly in the smaller 

 and closely domesticated kinds of dogs, this peculiarity consists 

 in a disposition to pick up straws, thread, paper, or other small 

 objects. In others, the first symptoms noticed is an eager and 

 unceasing attempt to lick the anus or parts of generation of an- 

 other dog. The lapping of their own urine is a common and 

 early symptom of madness, and one that should be particularly 

 inquired for ; as, when found to exist, I know of none that 

 should be regarded as more strongly characteristic of rabies, 

 and of no other complaint. Some shew an early disposition to 

 lick every thing cold about them, as iron, stone, &c. These, 

 and other peculiarities, often appear in lap-dogs, and others that 

 are under immediate observation, one, two, or even three days 

 before the more decisive and active symptoms. The const;int 

 licknig of a particular spot, or portion of the body, I have re- 

 garded as a very strong characteristic of rabies ; parucularly 

 when the animal is seen to watch over this part with a jealous 

 solicitude, or to bite and even gnaw it. Others spend their lero- 

 city on their bed, or the basket in wl;ich they usually sleep ; in 

 fact, every thing awakens his ire, until, comjDletely exhausted, 

 he sinks into a slumber, from which ever and anon he starts up 

 in a restless or feiocious mood. Not more than two days inter- 

 vene between the precursory symptoms noted and a salivary dis- 

 charge, which seldom lasts more than two days, and is often 

 succeeded by a viscid spume, which the dog with much earnest- 

 ness rubs off with his fore paws. The eyes, even in this early 

 stage, if observed attentively, will often be found rather more 

 bright, lively, and red than usual, and are then accompanied 

 with a certain quickness and irritability of manner.* In other 



" * Mr. Youatt expresses this alteration in the eyes as heing of a peculiarly 

 bright and dazzling kind, accompanied by a slight strabismus ; not the protrusion 

 of the membrana nictitans, as in distemper, but an actual distortion from the 

 natural axis of the eye." 



