220 RABIES CANINA, 



its most frightful visitations, I again repeat did not produce one 

 instance where any thing like a dread of water was manifested, 

 or any where spasm followed the attempts to take it. 



I have already hinted at an early and marked alteration of the 

 temper of the animal^ as common ; something of it may be seen 

 in almost all cases. I say almost, because occasionally, and par- 

 ticularly in the dumb variety of the disease, it is altogether want- 

 ing, and which phenomenon is most common in the lap-dog breeds, 

 and particularly in pugs. The degree of irritability varies much, 

 according to the variety of the disease, it being greatest in acute 

 rabies : it is likewise much influenced by the general character 

 and kind of the dog — one naturally ferocious is therefore rendered 

 more so by it ; and, as might be expected, the fighting breeds 

 usually have it strongly marked, particularly all sporting terriers. 

 In hounds, setters, pointers, &c., the degree of mischievous excite- 

 ment is regulated greatly by the general temper of the dog, and 

 whether it be the dumb or raging kind of the disease. As a 

 general principle, it appears with little ferocity in all dogs in a 

 state of close domestication, and more particularly so towards those 

 to whom the dog has been accustomed to yield obedience. This, 

 however, like all the other symptoms, is liable to variations ; but, 



ranee unworthy of his rank and situation ; and his adviee, had it been followed, 

 might have caused the death of three persons. Fortunately for them, his 

 opinion was not attended to, and I dissected the wounded parts out of each 

 of them. In five weeks, an unfortunate spaniel, who had been bitten by this 

 same dog, became rabid; and in six weeks a horse bitten by him became so 

 likewise. Dr. Gilman relates a case of hydrophobia where a fatal insecurity 

 had been indulged in, from the circumstance that the dog both ate and drank 

 during his complaint. Mr. Youatt had a dog brought to him which was un- 

 questionably rabid. The owner, a poor woman, had her hands excoriated by 

 a breaking out, and these hands the dog had repeatedly licked during his ill- 

 ness. On Mr. Youatt's intimation that it was necessary she should use some 

 precaution, she applied *to a medical gentleman, who assured her, that if the 

 dog attempted to drink he was not mad, and no precautions were necessary. 

 This opinion was likewise confirmed by another person who pretends to some 

 veterinary knowledge : fortunately for her, Mr. Youatt undeceived her, and, I 

 believe, applied the preventive. 



