158 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



bite was received before the disease manifested itself. 

 However incredible this may seem, it is nevertheless true. 

 Eabies, as it ordinarily occurs, is produced by a bite from a 

 rabid animal, the virus being left in the wotind at the time 

 the bite is inilicted. It may also be produced by an 

 afi'ected animal — or one that has been exposed — licking a 

 wound, etc. It may be communicated in other ways, as in 

 the case of a man wdio, while skinning a dog that died of 

 the disease, thoughtlessly placed the knife in his mouth, as 

 a result of which simple action rabies became developed 

 within the usual period. The symptoms presented tend to 

 show that the disease depends upon some peculiar change 

 in, or action upon, the nervous system. It is a disease 

 that very quickly spreads; and every practitioner, to. insure 

 his own safety, should thorouf!;hly understand the malady, 

 and be able to recognise it at a glance. It is nothing un- 

 usual to see a dog hounded about the streets, and said to be 

 mad, when he is not rabid, but is only excited or frightened. 

 Spnjjtoms. — Rabies, as affecting the dog, occurs in two 

 forms : a furious, and a dull morose form, the latter being 

 known as dumb rabies. Like other brain affections, this 

 disease is preceded by dulness ; it is noticed that the 

 animal is not so lively as usual, but is slightly dull and 

 somewhat sullen ; this period of dulness is followed after 

 a time by temporary fits of excitement, after which the 

 patient may relapse into the previous condition of dulness. 

 The animal also shows a tendency to seek out of the way 

 places, where he will lie very quietly for some time, when 

 suddenly he will become greatly excited without any ap- 

 parent cause. Another prominent symptom is a depraved 

 appetite, the animal eating dirt, fteces, etc. ; he becomes 

 savage, and will bite or snap at any object, animate or 

 inanimate, that comes in his way, or that moves in his 

 immediate vicinity; and a dog that in health has been 



