402 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. 



It sometimes happens that the disease *is developed by exertion and 

 heat, when no previous indications have been manifest, and shows itself 

 in a peculiar manner. The horse stops all at once in his work, heaves, 

 paws nervously, trembles, staggers and falls. In a moment he will be 

 up, and may, if put to it, proceed for a few moments, when he will stop, 

 stare about, and lie down again. This stage is sometimes mistaken for 

 blind staggers, but it may be distinguished by observing that in blind 

 staggers the horse loses his senses, while in hydrophobia he is always 

 conscious, often acutely intelligent and observing. 



What to do — This is a disorder of so dreadful and dangerous a charac- 

 ter that some of the ablest veterinarians do not hesitate to advise the 

 instant killing of the sufferer ; and they refuse to give any directions for 

 attempting a cure. When the furious stage has come on there seems ta 

 be a sort of demoniac maliciousness and treachery, with a watchful cun- 

 ning, that makes it hazardous for friend or stranger to trust himself any- 

 where within reach. It is extremely doubtful, too, whether recovery 

 ever takes place after the madness is developed. 



Yet, it is not improbable that much may be done in the way of prevent 

 tion after the bite has been inflicted. The first step is to check the flow 

 of blood from the part, if possible, to prevent the rapid spread of the 

 poison over the system. If a limb has been bitten, this may be done by 

 tying a handkerchief around it, above the wound, and twisting with a 

 stick until a suflScient degree of compression is had. Then cauterize the 

 wound thoroughly, making sure that the very deepest recesses of every 

 tooth print or lacerated place is reached. Lunar caustic is best, because 

 most easily and surely handled ; but if impossible to get a stick of this, 

 any convenient caustic may be applied, as oil of vitriol, nitric acid, caus- 

 tic potash, butter of antimony, etc. : or, a small iron, not too sharp, 

 heated to a white heat and cleaned of scales, will answer if the animal 

 can be kept still enough to apply without danger of injuring him other- 

 wise. The handkerchief should be left on tight until the cauterization, 

 is effected. 



Cauterizing thoroughly, even two or three days after the injury, may 

 result in saving the animal, as the absorption does not always speedily 

 take place. 



If the wound is upon a part that forbids the use of the handkerchief, 

 it may be cut open to its depth, and a freer flow encouraged, both by the- 

 larger opening and by squeezing and wringing — soaking, meanwhile, with 

 warm water. Then use the lunar caustic wherever a siffn of tooth mark 

 can be seen. 



But when unobserved till the virulent stage has come on, it is not even 

 known to science that anything can be done to save ; and the best, the 



