98 Diseases of the Horse, 



Prof. Gamgee advises the use of powerful purgatives 

 early in the disease, as: 



Definition. — A disease which arises spontaneously in the 

 dog and cat and is communicated by their saliva to the horse, 

 cow, sheep, swine and man. It affects the brain, nerves and 

 mental faculties and is incurable. 



Causes. — In the horse, cow and sheep, hydrophobia is al- 

 ways produced by the bite of a mad dog or other hydro- 

 phobic animal. 



Symptoms. — These appear in the horse from 15 to 90 days 

 after tlie bite; in cattle, after 20 to 30 days; in sheep, after 

 20 to 25 days; in swine, after 20 to 50 days. It is gener- 

 ally believed that mad animals have a great dread of water, 

 and from this the disease receives its name. Most recent 

 observers deny this entirely; and explain the mistake by the 

 statement that the attempt to swallow brings on an exceed- 

 ingly painful spasm of the throat, which throws the animal 

 into a convulsion. 



In the horse, the patient trembles or staggers ; his eye is 

 wild ; he soon grows furious, and endeavors to bite or run at 

 and trample down any one whom he can reach ; he kicks 

 violently, neighs, draws his yard, jerks his muscles, and 

 finally drops paralyzed. Very peculiarly mischievous and 

 dangerous propensities mark this species of madness, and 

 distinguish it from the delirium of other diseases. In the 



