650 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



the former; and, when the cases are of the dumb form from the 

 outset, it is probable that the toxemia is overwhelming, and such 

 cases usually run a more rapidly fatal course. 



The Furious Type. In the furious type, following the variable 

 period of incubation, there is first noticed a change in the disposi- 

 tion of the animal, which should at once excite suspicion. Playful 

 animals become morose, and quiet, reserved dogs may become un- 

 usually affectionate. The animal is nervous and easily excited, but 

 obeys any command of its owner. In the course of a day or two the 

 nervous condition increases and the animal becomes irritable and 

 may snap if approached suddenly or startled. The bark becomes 

 changed to a long drawn out combination of a whine and a howl, 

 impossible to describe but never forgotten when once heard. Some 

 dog owners speak of it as being somewhat of the nature of the bark 

 of a foxhound while in the hunt, but this does not properly describe 

 it. The animal if loose may pick up and swallow straw, sticks, 

 stones, leather, and other foreign bodies. In some cases there is a 

 tendency to bite parts of the skin, usually at the point where the 

 animal was bitten, and in one case under the writer's observation 

 the animal chewed the skin over the os calcis until the entire head 

 of the bone was exposed to view. This tendency to bite the skin is 

 probably due to an intense localized pruritis. 



There is a marked tendency in these early stages for the animal 

 to seek quiet spots and to hide in corners or dark places. If an at- 

 tempt is made to remove the animal, the person is in great danger 

 of being bitten. The restlessness of the animal' becomes more 

 marked. He may stand looking intently into space as if at an im- 

 aginary object. There is difficulty in swallowing, and saliva may 

 dribble from the mouth. The irritability increases until the animal 

 becomes furious, biting at a stick or other object thrust toward him, 

 At this stage if the animal is not secured he may leave home and 

 travel for miles. During the long journey he will fight with dogs 

 and attack other animals in his path, but never barks or makes any 

 outcry during these attacks. The animal may go 20 or 25 miles 

 from home, but always returns, if not prevented, in an exhausted 

 condition, covered with wounds and dirt and greatly emaciated. 

 Signs of commencing paralysis now appear, with dropping of the 

 lower jaw, inability to swallow, and irregularity in the pupils. The 

 legs finally become paralyzed and the animal passes into the dumb 

 form of the disease. 



Dumb Rabies. This form of the disease occurs in onlv a small 

 percentage of the cases. The symptoms are somewhat similar to 

 those of furious rabies except that marked irritability is absent and 

 there is an early appearance of paralysis. This form of the disease, 

 therefore, renders the dog less dangerous than the furious type. The 

 animal lies quietly in some secluded place and appears to be stupid. 

 The paralysis of the jaw comes on early, the tongue protrudes and 

 becomes congested and covered with dirt, giving rise to the term 

 black tongue, which is a bad synonym used in some localities, 

 especially in the South, for this form of the disease. The use of this 



