HUNTING DIRECTORY. 101 



the Hydrophobia. 



if the liquor is attempted to be forcibly pressed upon 

 them, the experiment is rejected by an instantaneous 

 succession of the most horrid gesticulations, and convul- 

 sive distortions, in which every ray of reason seems to be 

 absorbed. Upon a temporary cessation of so serious 

 and distressing a paroxysm, the poor unhappy patient 

 now murmurs, groans, and mourns most miserably ; loses, 

 by degrees, all knowledge of his dearest friends and 

 most familiar acquaintance : and their presenting them- 

 selves before him, is the very critical moment when all 

 of this description give proof of their desire to bite, 

 which, in the attempt, bears no ill affinity to the similar 

 snappings of a village cur. 



Awful to relate, reason returns at intervals, and he 

 feelingly laments his own calamity, and deplores his own 

 incapacity. A consciousness of appi'oaching dissolu- 

 tion is perceptible even to himself, and he seems truly 

 resigned to the singularity of his fate. Severe pain and 

 consequent heat producing thirst, a desire to drink is 

 displayed, but nature shrinks from her office ; in vain 

 the patient raises his hand to touch the vessel, it almost 

 magically produces instant tremor — the hand recedes, 

 and the patient sinks into the most afflicting despon- 

 dency. Conscious, likewise, of his constantly increasing 

 inclination to bite, he, in his rational moments, makes 

 signals to warn his friends of the danger, and keep them- 

 selves at a distance. Towards the conclusion of this 

 dreadful and most melancholy scene, the fever and 

 parching thirst increase, the tongue becomes swelled and 

 protruded, foam issues from the mouth, strength fails, 

 cold sweats come on, the stricture upon the breast in- 



