254 



604. Seeing that there are so many different causes, it is highly 

 important to call in professional aid at the very beginning, and have 

 the animal treated accordingly. 



605. Lightning Shock. — In the majority of cases lightning shock 

 affects the nervous system, more particularl}' the motory nerves, 

 causing total or partial paralj'sis, while the sensory nerves become 

 more acute. When one side is affected, the animal carries its head to 

 one side, and has a very unsteady gait, staggering from side to side, 

 vi'hile the muscles on the side of the face affected become pendulous and 

 swollen, or the neck may be so affected that the animal cannot eat 

 from the ground. The shock, however, may be such that the animal 

 loses the use of its limbs, and cannot get up ; yet it can feed well, and 

 if a cow, chews the cud. These various symptoms may be noticed, 

 but no external marks are visible. When, however, the electric current 

 strikes the body, the skin and hair have the appearance of having had 

 a red hot iron run over them, while under the skin the tissues are 

 jelly like and full of effused material. In the case of death from 

 lightning the blood remains iluid, and the muscles of the body do not 

 stiffen, but are flabby and soft. 



606. Rabies. — This frightful malady, although formerly described 

 as an affection of the nervous system, is now considered to be due to 

 the action of a specific microbe, which gains entrance to the system. 

 Of all the animals that are subject to its baneful influence, those of the 

 dog tribe seem to be most prone. In some cases, the patient has a 

 great horror of water, the sight of which brings on a peculiar tetanic 

 spasm of the gullet, causing inability to swallow (hence the name 

 hydrophobia). This symptom is, however, more noticed in the human 

 subject than m the lower animals, as a rabid dog will, at times, go into 

 the water, if in its way, and lap it freely. It is generally thought 

 that extremely hot weather favours its occurrence, but, as previously 

 stated, it depends upon the introduction of the disease-producing 

 germ into the system. This is generally accomplished by means of a 

 bite from a rabid animal, but accidental inoculation may take place, 

 through an abrasion or sore on the skin being licked by the tongue of 



