SYMPTOMS 471 



be swallowed without mastication, otherwise it is soon drop- 

 ped. Difficulty in swallowing is an earh' symptom. Mad 

 dogs have no fear or dread of water, they continue to drink 

 until paralysis prevents them from swallowing. 



When the furious .symptoms appear, the dog may leave 

 his home and start upon a long chase with no apparent object 

 in view other than to be traveling. He trots at a rapid pace, 

 ej'es haggard and tail depressed. He is indifferent to the sur- 

 roundings. He often flies at and bites persons whom he 

 meets, but usually he does not search for them or even notice 

 them if they remain quiet. Dogs in this condition may travel 

 many miles and finally drop from exhaustion and die. Often 

 after an absence of a day or two they return to their homes, 

 exhausted and emaciated, presenting a most forlorn and mis- 

 erable appearance. Those who have pitj' for such an animal 

 and try to make it clean and comfortable are in great danger 

 of being bitten, as the di.sease has advanced to a point where 

 the delirium or insanity is most marked and where a treacher- 

 ous bite is most common. 



If the animal, instead of being allowed to escape, is kept 

 confined, the paroxysms of fur}- are seen to occur intermit- 

 tenth' or, in the absence of provocation, they may be entirely 

 wanting. If excited it howls, rushes upon objects that are 

 thrust toward it or throws itself against the bars of its cage 

 and bites with great fury. 



As death approaches the animal becomes exhau.sted and 

 is scarcel}^ able to stand. The eyes are dull and sunken and 

 the expression is that of pain and despair. Paralysis appears 

 in the jaws or in the po.sterior extremities and extends rapidly 

 to other parts of the body. The animal, being unable to 

 stand, lies extended upon its side, the respiration becoming 

 more and more difficult. There are spasmodic contractions of 

 certain groups of muscles, complete prostration and finally 

 death. 



The usual course of the disease is four or five days. It 

 may be as short as two or as long as ten days. 



Dumb rabies. When this form of the disease is typical, it 



