178 Horse and Hound. 



When hounds do have hydrophobia it is most 

 frequently in the form of dumb rabies and not 

 the violent maniacal form that causes them to 

 "run amuck." Ashmout says: 



"The dumb, or sullen form of rabies is a 

 peculiar type of hydrophobia without the violent 

 or irritative stage. There is decidedly less ex- 

 citation of the brain ; the violent paroxysms, the 

 constant motion, the disposition to bite, and the 

 propensity to stray are all absent, or present in 

 only a slight degree, and the animal is quiet, 

 silent, and dejected. Paralysis of the muscles of 

 the lower jaw is a characteristic symptom of this 

 form of the malady, and manifests itself early in 

 the attack. The jaw drops and the mouth re- 

 mains constantly open. In rare cases a partial 

 control of the muscles is retained for a time, suffi- 

 cient to lift the jaw, and possibly allow the ani- 

 mal to bite if sufficiently irritated. Rarely more 

 than a few hours, possibly three or four, elapse 

 before the disease manifests itself. Before this 

 paralysis appears there is great difficulty in swal- 

 lowing, and the poor dog will plunge his muzzle 

 into water up to his very eyes, in order that he 

 may get one drop of water into the back part of 

 his mouth to cool his parched throat. In this form 

 of rabies the flow of mucus and saliva is abundant, 

 the same dripping from the open mouth. The 

 voice, changed and of a hoarse tone, is seldom 

 heard, and that peculiar combination of bark and 



