DOGS, CATS AND POULTRY 535 



or twice a week to keep the bowels free, and in a week or 

 so the dog will begin to get better. Be careful not to let him 

 get cold until he recovers. 



2. Mad Dog (Hydrophobia or Rabies . 



This disease originates spontaneously in dogs and cats 

 without being bitten, and is mostly seen in very hot weather 

 and in hot climates. Jt may also be caused by dogs or cats 

 being bitten by another mad dog or cat. 



Symptoms. — The affected dog is first noticed to become 

 excited, runs about and bites at everything that comes in his 

 way. Saliva runs from his mouth and his eyes are bloodshot. 

 After this he will have a spell of quietness, and lies down in 

 an out-of-the-way place. He seems to have a depraved 

 appetitie, will eat clay and all sorts of dirt. Suddenly, he 

 again becomes excited and runs about biting at everything 

 that comes in his way, the same as at first. A mad dog 

 rarely, if ever, goes out of his way to bite anything. In 

 running about he keeps snapping his teeth, and once in a 

 while gives a peculiar howl. He has great difficulty in swal- 

 lowing, and in some cases cannot swallow at all. These 

 symptoms gradually get worse until the dog dies. The time 

 until the disease affects a dog after being bitten varies from 

 ten to fifteen days. 



Treatment.— As soon as the dog is noticed to be mad, 

 have him destroyed, for he is very dangerous to have around, 

 and, besides, there is no cure for it. In cases where a dog 

 has been bitten by a mad dog or cat and before violent symp- 

 toms appear, cut the piece out where he was bitten and burn 

 the hole with caustic potash, nitrate of silver or a red hot 

 iron. This destroys the poison before it gets into the system. 



3. Influenza. 



Influenza is very similar to an ordinary cold, between 

 which it is often difficult to distinguish. 



Causes. — Similar conditions to those outlined in Section 

 2 of Chapter VI. may cause it. 



Symptoms. — These are also similar to those of cold ; 

 they are, however, more pronounced, the fever is higher, the 

 nose very hot and dry and the cough severe. 



Treatment. — Give : 



Rhubarb 2 grains. 



Ipecacuanha 1 grain. 



