HYDROPHOBIA. 313 



his usual resting-place, and sluggishly lies upon his bed, paying scarcely any attention 

 to the voice of his master, but strangely uneasy, and ever and anon shifting his posture, 

 as if endeavoring to discover some attitude that may bring ease and repose to his 

 fevered limbs. Fortunately, the disposition to bite does not make its appearance until 

 the disease has made considerable progress. 



In these stages of the malady the Dog is often seen to fight with his paws at the 

 corner of his mouth, as if endeavoring to rid himself of a bone that had become fixed 

 among his teeth, and assumes much of the anxious aspect that is always seen in ani- 

 mals when their respiration is impeded. This symptom may, however, be readily dis- 

 tinguished by the fact that the Dog is able to close his mouth between the paroxysms 

 of his ailment, which he is unable to do when he is affected by the presence of a bone 

 or other extraneous substance in his throat. 



There is, indeed, a mechanical hindrance to respiration, which, although not so out- 

 wardly apparent as the obstruction which is caused by a bone or similar substance, 

 yet harasses the poor creature quite as painfully. As the poison which has been in- 

 fused into and taints the blood of the poor victim, works its dread mission through the 

 frame, it infects some of the fluids that are secreted from the blood, and changes their 

 external aspect as well as their inward essence. The saliva becomes thick and viscid 

 in character, and is secreted in quantities so great that it obstructs the channels of 

 respiration, and gives rise to those convulsive efforts on the part of the Dog which have 

 already been mentioned. 



Strangely enough, the infected Dog seems to partake of the serpent nature, and, like 

 the cobra or viper, to elaborate a deadly poison from harmless food. The snake feels 

 but little inconvenience from the accumulation of venomous matter, as it is furnished 

 with receptacles in which the lethal secretion may be lodged until it is needed. But 

 the Dog has no such storehouse, and the poison is therefore diffused through the 

 moisture of the throat and mouth, instead of being concentrated into one locality. There 

 is another curious resemblance between the poison of serpents and that of rabid Dogs ; 

 namely, that while the venom of either creature produces such terrible effects when 

 mixed with the blood, it may be swallowed with perfect safety, provided that the lips 

 and mouth are free from sores. 



I would offer a suggestion, that the instinct which induces the Dog to bite everything 

 which may come within its reach, is intended to aid the creature in its cure, and that 

 if it could only be induced to bite a succession of lifeless objects, it might rid itself of 

 the venomous influence, and be restored to its normal state of health. So powerfully 

 is this instinct developed, that the poor Dog will bite itself, and inflict the most fearful 

 lacerations on its own flesh, rather than resist the furious impulse which fills its being. 

 Horses and other animals which have been infected with this terrible disease have 

 been known to feel the same necessity, and' in default of other victims have torn the 

 flesh from their own limbs. 



An unquenchable thirst soon fastens upon the afflicted Dog, and drives him to the 

 nearest spot where he can obtain any liquid that may cool his burning throat. 



In the earlier stages of the complaint he laps without ceasing, but when the disease 

 has destroyed the powers of his tongue and throat, he plunges his head into the water 

 as far as the depth of the vessel will permit, in hope of bringing his throat in contact 

 with the cooling fluid. It is generally supposed that a mad Dog will not touch water, 

 and for this reason the malady was termed Hydrophobia, or " dread of water," but it 

 is now ascertained that the animal is so anxious to drink, that he often spills the fluid 

 in his eagerness, and so defeats his own object. 



In the last stage of this terrible disease the Dog is seized with an uncontrollable 

 propensity to run. He seems not to care where he goes, but runs for the most part in 

 a straight line, seldom turning out of his way, and rarely attempting to bite unless 

 he be obstructed in his course ; and then he turns savagely upon his real or fancied 

 assailant, and furiously snaps and bites without fear or reason. Not the least curious 

 fact of this disease is, that it causes a singular insensibility to pain. A rabid Dog will 

 endure terrible injuries without appearing to be conscious of them, and, in many cases 

 these poor creatures have been known to tear away portions of their own bodies as 



