Diseases of the Nervous System, 253 



During and immediately after the paroxysm, the breath- 

 ing is short and painful, and the animal looks an exhausted 

 object, as if suffering from the effects of a hard-fought 

 sanguinary battle. 



As the malady proceeds towards its last stage, the head 

 frequently becomes swollen, particularly about the eyes, 

 which assume a brilliant lustrous appearance, and the con- 

 junctival membrane is deeply injected. An anxious hag- 

 gard countenance is present throughout. 



The animal may gradually sink into a state of stupor, or 

 die in a paroxysm of rage. Paralysis is sometimes 

 associated with the disease from its commencement, and 

 is rarely absent towards its termination. Emaciation is 

 rapid under all circumstances. 



One marked symptom in rabies, as opposed to all other 

 nervous affections, is the magical influence of voices the 

 animal is accustomed to. Even in moments of frenzy the 

 call of one the poor sufferer knows is instantly recognised, 

 and for a brief period produces an appearance of sanity. 



It has been stated by a professed authority, Grantley F. 

 Berkeley, that " Dogs become utterly insane through dis- 

 temper, and are for the time mad to all intents and purposes." 

 " If you prevent distemper in dogs 'by vaccination' (.') well 

 performed, you decrease the madness in dogs, which in num- 

 berless cases arises from the effects of the ' common dis- 

 temper,' but which is often vulgarly termed ' hydrophobia.' "* 

 (I presume rabies canina is meant.) 



Any such marked insanity in distemper it has never yet 

 been the lot of the author to observe, nor, as far as he can 

 gather, has it been noted by any other veterinarian. Rabies 

 and distemper are, in fact, as widely different in character 

 and pathology as it is possible for two canine maladies to 



be left to itself ; but nervous excitability ap pears to be predominant 

 more or less throughout the disease. 



* From letter in the Morning Post, dated Sept. nth, 1887. The- 

 italics are mine. 



