HYDROPHOBIA. G27 



this malady should he kept apart from others ; and exposure 

 to the air, when not under the effects of medicine, will be 

 found beneficial. This disorder has an affinity to some 

 human diseases, and rarely attacks a dog a second time. 

 Fortunately for humanity, the distemper is not communi- 

 cable to man. Neither the effluvia from the diseased dog, 

 nor the bite, has proved in any instance infectious. 



HYDROPHOBIA. 



The last and certainly the most dreadful of all diseases 

 incidental to the canine species is madness, and its fatal 

 effects, unfortunately, are frequently extended to man and 

 other animals ; and, what is to be deeply lamented in this 

 fearful disorder is, that hitherto no specific has been disco- 

 vered for its cure. Many have been the attempted remedies 

 applied by men of the first skill in medical science, but with- 

 out effect ; and a vast variety of pretended nostrums have been 

 advertised from time to time. Under these circumstances, I 

 shall content myself with noticing the symptoms of this ma- 

 lady, and recommend rather that we avoid the evil, than 

 expect a cure. 



No satisfactory cause for hydrophobia has yet been given, 

 although it has been supposed to be occasioned by extreme 

 heat, and want of water. Were these the agents of this ma- 

 lady, it would be more prevalent in tropical climates than 

 in Europe, which is by no means the case. Experience, 

 however, has taught us that it makes its appearance in the 

 canine species usually in hot, sultry Aveather ; therefore, 

 although it is not the cause, it is a concomitant of the 

 disorder. 



In Europe, hydrophobia generally makes its appearance 

 in the extreme heat of summer, or the first months of au- 

 tuiim. Where packs of hounds are kept, the feeders should 



