274 SYSTEM OF KENNEL AND 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 



Hydrophobia Length of time the virus lies dormant in the system 

 Our feeder. 



OF all maladies to which dogs are subject, the most 

 fatal is madness, for which we believe up to this 

 time no certain cure has been discovered. The 

 origin of this dreadful disease is enveloped in 

 mystery, although it has existed for many centuries, 

 defying the medical skill of age after age. In this 

 country the most favourable seasons for its appear- 

 ance are during the spring and autumn months ; 

 and we know from experience the virus will remain 

 dormant in the system for weeks, months, and 

 even years, until roused by some exciting cause. 

 This we know to be a fact, but it does not follow, 

 as a matter of course, that hydrophobia must be 

 produced in every case by the bite of a mad dog. 

 It may be now, as it undoubtedly was originally, 

 spontaneous, caused by ill-treatment, confinement 

 without sufficient air or exercise, want of water, 

 exposure to the heat of the sun without shade, or 

 introduced into the system by some other means 

 with which we are unacquainted. 



Some years ago we had a large yard-dog, a cross 

 between Newfoundland and mastiff, chained to a box 

 in the stable-yard by night, but allowed his freedom 



