338 AFPENDIX. D. 



lono- nof^lected. Tt by no moans unfrequently happens, that it 

 is not until after a dog is dead that he is suspected of having 

 been rabid, although he may have bitten one or more persons. 

 Under such circumstances, it is evident that it is of the utmost 

 consequence to be able to decide, from a post-mortem exami- 

 nation of the dead body alone, whether the disease did or did 

 not exist. Fortunately the morhid appearances peculiar to these 

 cases are usually well marked, and so universally present, that a 

 just decision is seldom difficult to form, even from them alone." 

 The morbid appearance of the brain, jaws, and thoracic vis- 

 cera are here examined seriatim, but although their symptoms 

 are veiy well marked and defined, I shall pass at once to his 



times occurs in rabies, I have often seen mistaken for distemper, and that even 

 by veterinary surgeons : it is, indeed, the most deceitful of all the appearances 

 which occur, particularly where it continues for some time, as is occasionally 

 the case. Usually, however, it is the permanent attendant on distemper, and a 

 temporary one only of rabies; while the previous emaciation, cough, and gra- 

 dual increase of the flow, from thin and watery to muco-purulent, and then to 

 pus, are distinguishing symptoms of distemper. A tetanic attack has been mis- 

 taken for rabies ; but the extreme rarity of this disease renders such error not of 

 very likely occurrence, and the medical attendant ought never to be deceived ; 

 rigid convulsions may contort the frame, and close the mouth ; but there is no 

 other likeness to rabies present, and the dog is as incapable as he is disinclined 

 to do mischief in any way : the death of the tetanic dog will also, by internal 

 inspection of the body, at once distinguish between these diseases, as in tetanus 

 there are few marks of visceral disturbance. Spasmodic colic will contort tlie 

 dog, and may sometimes make him irritable and disposed to bite, if he be dis- 

 turbed ; but he will never attempt it purposely : on the contrary, he will rather 

 avoid all intercourse with living beings. Colic also, particularly that occasioned 

 by taking lead internally, produces excruciating pains not present in rabies, 

 which pains also remit and return at uncertain intervals: again, although plain- 

 tive moans may be heard in spasmodic colic, barking or howling is always ab- 

 sent : neither are the jaws paralyzed : active purging also relieves this, but is 

 totally inert in the other. Lastly, the mistakes likely to occur between rabies 

 and other diseases are, in some degree, attributable to erroneous pictures drawn 

 by authors of such diseases : thus. Dr. Jenner's account of the distemper, instead 

 of deserving the praise his great name has drawn down upon it, is entirely cal- 

 culated to mislead : indeed, it might be supposed by his readers, that he was 

 purposely describing rabies and not distemper." 



