THE HYDROPHOBIA. 49 



the danger incurred by myself, as well as by the 

 members of my family, makes me shudder. 



In the year 1847 I had a very handsome black 

 pointer bitch, six years old, which never had pups ; 

 she was a great favourite, and was kept a good 

 deal in the house ; was very lively, frolicsome, 

 good-tempered, and fawning as a spaniel. When 

 young she had the distemper in rather a violent 

 degree, but it left no twitching upon her ; in fact, 

 up to the period above named, the bitch was as 

 healthy as any dog could be. 



In the month of July her usual manner sud- 

 denly changed, and one of my children remarked 

 that Di (such was her name) was unweU. This 

 passed unnoticed by me until the next day, when 

 my attention was again called to the circum- 

 stance. At this moment she was engaged in tear- 

 ing a mat or rug placed for her to sleep upon, and 

 I became convinced from her general appearance, 

 and the horrid, savage glare of her eye, that she 

 was mad. I distinctly saw her attempt to swallow 

 pieces of her bed, though I am doubtful if she did 

 actually swallow them. When I called her by 

 name she answered by a vacant look and the 

 customary wagging of the tail, her under jaw 

 drooping considerably, and her tongue perfectly 

 black. My fii'st impulse was to destroy her on 

 the spot; and, most certainly, should a similar 

 case ever occui* to me, I should not hesitate a sin- 



