i6o Specific and Contagious Diseases. 



develops into a succession of equally abortive howls. 

 This is most common at night after the routine of bustle 

 and noise is stilled, and is consonant with the usual re- 

 cuperative efforts of the system at this season, which have 

 the tendency to aggravate existing disease. At this stage 

 also signs of local irritation may be present, the cause 

 being the cicatrix of a former wound inflicted by another 

 dog suffering from the disease. He Hcks at first, but 

 eventually bites or even tears the skin which at this part 

 exhibits the gangrenous stage. This is the inoculation 

 point, which, as a result of the introduction of the virus 

 heals but imperfectly, and is subject to the consequences 

 of irritation and ulceration, one of Nature's efforts to rid 

 herself of the poison. The issues are constantly fatal, 

 death taking place from two or three days in some of the 

 most acute cases, or it is otherwise delayed until about the 

 seventh day. 



The Post-mortem Appearances in fully developed cases 

 are remarkable. The body very shortly enters into a 

 state of decay. At the back of the mouth, and within 

 the stomach, foreign bodies of the most strange character 

 are found, as sticks, stones, dirt, fc-eces, bits of iron, tin, 

 leather, &c. The back of the tongue and the mouth, 

 with the lining membranes of the windpipe, also those of 

 the pharynx and larynx, are highly congested and streaky, 

 particularly about the epiglottis, and the vocal chords arc 

 not uncommonly ulcerated. The salivary glands are in- 

 volved in the general congestion, which extends to the 

 stomach and intestines, portions of which exhibit patches 

 of extravasated blood, some of which have already entered 

 on the ulcerative stage. As a result of this process within 

 the stomach, considerable effusion 'n the form of a coffee- 

 coloured fluid — abnormal blood material — is present 

 in addition to the usual heterogeneous accumulations. 

 Blood spots are found upon the heart, pleura, peritoneum, 

 and elsewhere. The spleen, liver, and lymphatic glands 

 generally are enlarged by congestion ; also the substance 

 of the brain, medulla, and spinal chord with their several 

 coverings. In addition, there are indications understood 

 only by the scientist, assisted by a powerful microscope. 



