RABIES 607 



the change in the voice. At this stage they become vicious, 

 and if confined show a tendency to chew objects and tear 

 them to pieces. Rugs, carpets, or other objects with which 

 they come in contact are torn and destroyed. At this 

 time if they are not confined they will usually wander 

 away from home, biting other animals or persons that hap- 

 pen to come in their path. Often during a short period of 

 time they will travel long distances before returning, which 

 they invariably do. Upon their return they show emacia- 

 tion, exhaustion, often wounds from being bitten by other 

 animals, and in general have a dejected appearance. The 

 desire to bite aimlessly objects and animals is quite char- 

 acteristic of this stage. A rabid dog in this stage may 

 inoculate a large number of animals unless confined. When 

 confined in a cage or room they show at times intense fury 

 and viciousness. If irritated, by placing a stick between 

 the bars of the cage, the dog will attack it viciously, but 

 shows the peculiar symptom of simply biting instead of 

 holding on to the stick as non-rabid dogs ordinarily do. 

 As this stage progresses the periods of fury become shorter, 

 and soon marked depression is noted. Paralysis of some of 

 the special nerves develops, shown by the increase in the 

 change of the voice, which becomes a peculiar wail or bowl, 

 and the difficulty in swallowing. The eyes are congested, 

 and also the mucous membranes of the mouth. This stage 

 of fury lasts usually two to four days. 



(c) Paralytic Stage.— The symptoms of paralysis become 

 more pronounced, and the patient is less vicious. Complete 

 loss of voice and the inability to swallow, with paralysis 

 of the tongue and masseter muscles, are early symptoms of 

 this stage. The mouth is held open, the dry tongue is pro- 

 truded and completely paralyzed. The eyes are retracted, 

 lose their expression and luster; the pupils become dilated, 

 in some cases unequally. The animal shows marked gen- 

 eral emaciation, the hair coat rough and there is much 

 exhaustion. The general paralysis asserts itself, beginning 

 in most cases at the tail and posterior limbs. The animal 

 has difficulty in walking or standing; later there is complete 

 paralysis of the posterior part of the body. The paralysis 

 rapidly ascends to the fore parts and central nervous sys- 



