OR MADNESS. 259 



The voice, also, in every variety of rabies, usually forms a 

 strong" characteristic of the complaint. In the irritable vari- 

 ety, the alteration is first observed by a more quick and hasty 

 method of barking, with some difference also in the usual 

 tones of the bark ; by degrees, an occasional howi either 

 mixes with the bark, or takes place of it altogether *. This 

 howl, which is common to both varieties of the complaint, is 

 of so peculiar a kind, that it may be said never to be heard 

 under any other circumstance than from a rabid dog. It usu- 

 ally consists of a single hovvi, repeated at uncertain intervals 

 with the head held up t. 



Dumb Madness forms the other and most frequent vari- 

 ety in adult dogs, and which cases appear dependent on 

 a less degree of sensorial excitement, but with more mor- 

 bid affection of the bowels. The symptoms are, a dull, 

 heavy, and distressed countenance; and as the disease ad- 

 vances, the mouth presents an appearance of inability to keep 

 it closed. As the whole of the pharynx and larynx become tu- 

 mefied, the muscles at the base of the tongue, and those of 

 the lower jaw, become to a certain degree paralyzed, by 

 which the jaw drops and the tongue hangs pendulous with- 

 out the mouth, and an actual inability to close the jaws 

 takes place. A congestion of blood is the necessary conse- 

 quence of the tumefaction of the parts, and the tongue from 

 this cause appears commonly, in these cases, livid or almost 



* It is evident, that it is not easy to form a written description of any 

 peculiarity of voice, but the rabid howl may not unaptly be resembled 

 to the tones produced by what is called, among sportsmen, the giving 

 tongue of the old heavy southern harrier. It appears composed of 

 something between a bark and a howl, being made up of tones longer 

 than the one and shorter than the other. It is, however, so peculiar, 

 that, when once heard, it can never be forgotten, and so characteristic, 

 that it may be almost implicitly relied on. I have, in several instances, 

 been attracted to houses where dogs have been confined by the sound 

 alone, in time to warn the inhabitants of their danger. 



f BoERHAAVE seems to have this howl in view, when he says, " miiti 

 '< quoad latratura, raurmurantes tamen." 



