296 DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



walking forward. The dog does not obey the mandate ; 

 it is standing still as if stupefied ; suddenly it emits a 

 strange, loud, guttural sound, and then falls upon its 

 side, continuing to cry, but more feebly and more natu- 

 rally ; its faeces and urine may be discharged involunta- 

 rily ; it will bite any one who, during the existence of 

 the attack, incautiously attempts to lay hold of it ; its 

 limbs, at first stretched rigidly out, are ultimately, with 

 returning volition, put into violent motion ; the eye is 

 protruded and foam covers the mouth. When the con- 

 vulsion has subsided, the dog raises its head and stares 

 about; after which it would, if left alone, start at its 

 utmost pace, and run heaven only knows where. Should 

 idle men and foolish boys behold a dog wildly run on- 

 ward after having come out of a fit, and raise the cry of 

 " mad dog," the fate of the poor animal is then sealed, 

 as fear is devoid of discrimination or pity. Half the dogs 

 killed as rabid are those in this condition, scampering 

 under the impulse of returning sensation. 



The first thing any person is to do when out with a 

 dog which has a fit is to secure the animal, and to pre- 

 vent its running away when the fit has passed. The 

 second thing is stubbornly to close his ears to the crowd 

 who are certain to surround him. No matter what ad- 

 vice may be given, he is to do nothing but get the animal 

 home as quickly as possible. He is neither to lance the 

 mouth, slit the ear, nor cut a piece of the tail off. He is 

 on no account to administer a full dose of salt and water, 

 a lump of tobacco, or to throw the animal into an adja- 



