OR MADNESS. 251 



notice of all the varieties of the latter, render a perspicuous 

 account of ttie disease extremely diflBcult, and necessarily 

 extend it beyond the limits of a summary. 



Rabies, or Madness, commonly commences with some 

 peculiarity of manner, some departure from the ordinary ha- 

 bits, or by the introduction of new ones. In many instances, 

 but more particularly in the smaller and closely domesticated 

 kinds of dogs, this peculiarity consists in a disposition to pick 

 up straws, thread, paper, or other small objects *. In 

 others, the first symptom noticed, is an eager and unceasing- 

 attempt to lick the anus or parts of generation of another 

 dog-t. The lapping" of their own urine is a common and early 

 symptom of madness, and one that should be particularly in- 

 quired for, and, when it is found to exist, I know of none that 

 should be regarded as more strongly characteristic of rabies, 

 and of no other complaint. Some dogs shew an early dispo- 

 sition to lick every thing cold about them, as iron, stone, &c. 

 These, and other peculiarities, often appear in dogs under 

 immediate observation, one, two, or even three days, before 

 the more decisive and active symptoms. The eyes, in this 

 early stage, are, in some cases, rather more bright, lively, 

 and red than usual ; but, on the contrary in others, and 

 more particularly when the disease is to assume the mild 

 form, called dumb madness, they often present a dull aspect, 

 and a purulent discharge. In the wild or raging madness, 

 both the eyes and nose, sometimes, also discharge a purulent 

 moisture, which has occasioned these cases to be sometimes 

 mistaken for distemper. Much stress is laid on a sullen man- 

 ner and disposition to hide or retreat from observation, as 



* I have repeatedly seen dogs, which, before thej^ became at all sus- 

 pected of madness, had for a day or two industriously employed them- 

 selves in this way, so that not the smallest loose object of any kind re- 

 mained on the floor, to the no small surprise of the owners. 



f In one instance, I foretold the approach of the disease by the un- 

 common attachment of a piig puppy to a kitten, which he was conti- 

 nually licking, as well as the cold nose of another pug that was with 



him. 



112 



