3 68 VETERINARY LECTURES 



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 in 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 introduc- 

 tion 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 an affected animal. It 

 has been observed that, from the introduction of the germ into the 

 body to the period at which the malady is made manifest, the time 

 varies to a great extent. In some cases only a few days elapse, 

 while in others months, and even years, intervene. 



612. Symptoms. — In this, as in most affections of the brain and 

 nervous system, the first thing noticeable, particularly in the dog, is 

 great dullness, accompanied by periods of excitement that are 

 without apparent cause. An affected dog has a tendency to eat all 

 sorts of rubbish, dirt, feathers, leather, etc. It snaps and bites at 

 anything which may come in its path, but will not go out of its way 

 to do so. Again, the nature of the animal is quite changed. If it 

 has previously been very mild and docile, it will become quite 

 irritable, and inclined to bite its best friend, and vice versa. It also 

 has a tendency to go off by itself, going with a peculiar lounging, 

 swinging gait, taking little or no notice of anything unless interfered 

 with. The head and ears hang in a limp, loose fashion. It foams 

 at the mouth, and its eyes are bloodshot, with a peculiar sullen, far- 

 off look. The bark or howl of a rabid dog, once heard, is never 

 forgotten. If the animal is not destroyed, death is generally 

 preceded by convulsions and paralysis. On account of the great 

 danger following in the wake of a rabid animal, it should be 

 destroyed immediately the fact that the disease is rabies has been 

 established. Directly a bite is inflicted the parts ought to be 

 well washed with a mixture made of 1 part carbolic acid and 4 

 parts water, or it should be dressed with tincture of iron. The 



