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RABIES, OR HYDROPHOBIA. 



Cause. — This disease seems to arise spontaneously in 

 dogs and other members of the canine and feline species, 

 and is communicable (which fact has been attested by too 

 many sad proofs) to the human species, by their saliva ; and 

 also to the horse, cow, and sheep. When man is inoculated 

 with this virus there is always (a real or supposed) dread of 

 water as one of the symptoms of the disease, and hence the 

 name of hydrophobia. It is of great importance that the 

 early signs of this disease should be known in the dog, in 

 order that this dreadful disorder might be detected in time, 

 and so hinder the animal from destroying human life. 



Symptoms. — Amongst the first symptoms are : excessive 

 fawning and craving for sympathy, as manifested by the 

 strange conduct of the creature ; as the disease advances, 

 there is great irritability and snapping at invisible objects, 

 and a peculiar doleful howl. In addition to these symptoms 

 there is thirst ; perverted or depraved appetite ; paralysis of 

 the muscles of deglutition, interfering with the swallowing 

 of food. 



But although the creature snaps almost involuntarily at 

 objects near him, and quarrels with his neighbors, he is 

 seldom violent unless annoyed or vexed. 



When animals or men are bitten by a rabid dog similar 

 symptoms appear. In the horse, the animal trembles or 

 staggers ; gets rapidly furious ; sometimes endeavors to bite ; 

 but he more generally attempts to run at, and trample down 

 those persons that come in his way. 



The symptoms of hydrophobia usually show themselves 

 in from two to eight weeks after the animal or man has been 

 bitten. Besides other less important post-mortem appear- 

 ances, the Eustachian cavities and back part of the throat 

 become highly vascular, as well as the membranes of the 

 brain and upper part of the spinal cord. 



Treatment is never attempted in our practice, as the 

 danger is too great, and the chances of success give no 



