OR CANINE MADNESS. 227 



more variation than that called the raging. It is sometimes con- 

 siderable, and exhibits all the treacherous and mischevious dispo- 

 sition that marks the other ; but when the dumb character is 

 strongly marked, there is then seldom either much irritability or 

 delirium apparent; on the contrary, in many instances, a most 

 peaceable disposition is manifest, and which does not appear de- 

 pendent on the inability to bite, but really from a total want of 

 inclination to it. Indeed, in many cases of this kind, the tracta- 

 bility of character and mildness of disposition have appeared to be 

 even increased by the disease, and that to a degree that will not 

 permit strangers to suppose it possible for rabies to be present. 

 It would sensibly affect any one, to witness the earnest imploring 

 look I have often seen from the unhappy sufferers under this 

 dreadful malady. The strongest attachment has been manifested 

 to those around during their utmost sufferings ; and the parched 

 tongue, as I have before noticed, has been carried over the hands 

 and feet of those who noticed them, with more than usual fond- 

 ness. This disposition has continued to the last moment of life, 

 in many cases, without one manifestation of any inclination to bite, 

 or to do the smallest harm. I have observed this particularly in 

 pugs, and it has not been uncommon also in other lap-dogs. 



The progress of the disease in its latter stages is marked by in- 

 creased paralysis, and it often happens that, as it extends over the 

 body, that of the jaws lessens : the wretched animal now reels 

 about with little consciousness ; tumbles and gets up again ; now 

 seats himself folded on his rump, and in this posture life is stolen 

 away often without a struggle. The fatal termination ranges be- 

 tween the third and seventh days ; few die sooner than the third 

 day, and very few survive longer than the seventh : the average 

 number die on the fourth and fifth. In man, it has destroyed at 

 the end of twenty-four hours ; few have lasted beyond the third 

 day : by repeated bleedings, however, a case which is related in 

 The Lancet of July 12th, was protracted to the fourteenth day. 

 Horses do not survive beyond the third or fourth ; the ox and 

 sheep, Mr. Youatt says, from five to seven days ; but a rabid sheep, 



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