DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 51? 



tenance is remarkably changed ; the eyes glisten, there is slight 

 strabismus,* and twitchings of the face come on. About the 

 second day a considerable discharge of saliva commences ; but this 

 does not continue more than ten or twelve hours, and is succeeded 

 by insatiable thirst ; the dog is incessantly drinking, or attempting 

 to drink, plunging his muzzle into the water. When the flow of 

 saliva has ceased, he appears to be annoyed by some viscid matter 

 ;n his fauces ; and in the most eager and extraordinary manner he 

 works with his paws at the corners of his mouth, to get rid of it ; and 

 while thus employed he frequently loses his balance and rolls over. 



A loss of power over the voluntary muscles is next observed. 

 It begins with the lower jaw, which hangs down, and the mouth is 

 partially open ; but by a sudden effort the dog can sometimes close 

 it, though occasionally the paralysis is complete. The tongue is 

 affected in a less degree. The dog is able to raise it in the act of 

 lapping ; but the mouth is not sufficiently closed to retain the 

 water. Therefore, while he hangs over the fluid, eagerly lapping 

 for several minutes, it is very little or not at all diminished. The 

 paralysis often attacks the loins and extremities also. The animal 

 staggers about, and frequently falls. Previously to this he is in 

 almost incessant action. Mr. Youatt fancies that the dog is sub- 

 ject to what we call spectral illusions. He says " he starts up and 

 gazes eagerly at some real or imaginary object. He appears to be 

 tracing the path of something floating around him, or he fixes his 

 eye intently upon some spot in the wall, and suddenly plunges at 

 it;' then his eyes close, and his head droops." 



Frequently, with his head erect, the dog utters a short and very 

 peculiar howl ; or if he barks, it is a hoarse, inward sound, alto- 

 gether dissimilar from his, usual tone, and generally terminating 

 with this characteristic howl. Respiration is always affected ; often 

 the breathing is very laborious ; and the inspiration is attended 

 with a very singular grating, choking noise. On the fourth, fifth, 

 or sixth day of the disease, usually, he dies : occasionally in slight 

 convulsions, but oftener without a struggle. 



Mr. Youatt gives a detailed account of the appearances met 

 with after death in the carcasses of rabid dogs. They are not 

 very constant or distinctive. The most curious and uniform con- 

 • Strabismus— cross-eyed. 



