400 RABIES , 
the rabbit shows no appearance of discomfort. If the operation is performed in the 
forenoon the animal partakes of its evening meal with the usual relish. The inocula- 
tion wound heals rapidly, and the rabbit exhibits every appeatance of being in perfect 
health until the beginning of the specific symptoms, which occur ordinarily in from 
fifteen to thirty days after the inoculation. Occasionally the symptoms appear earlier 
than fifteen days and in some cases the rabbits are not attacked for from one to three 
months. 
The symptoms following the inoculation are quite uniform. There is, however, a 
marked difference in the length of time the rabbits live after the initial manifestation of 
the disease. The fact should be clearly stated that rabbits do not ordinarily become 
furious. In some instances they are somewhat nervous for a day or two preceding the 
paralysis. There appears to be marked hyperesthesia. Usually the first indication 
of the disease is a partial paralysis of one or both hind limbs. This gradually advances 
until the rabbit is completely prostrated, the only evidence of life being a slight respira- 
tory movement. The head occupies different positions. In some it is drawn back- 
ward as in tetanus; in others it is drawn down with the nose near the fore legs; and in 
Fic. 90. SECTION OF A NORMAL 
PLEXIFORM GANGLION (a), AND Fic. 91. SECTION CF PLEXIFORM 
(b) GANGLION CBLLs, (¢) INTER- GANGLION FROM A CASE OF 
CELLULAR SUBSTANCE. RABIES; (a) GANGLION CELL, 
(6b) CELLS INFILTRATING THE 
GANGLION CELL AND SPACE. 
still others it is extended as if the animal were sleeping. The period of this complete 
paralysis varies from a few hours to a few days, but ordinarily it does not exceed twenty- 
four hours. Although these animals are unable to move voluntarily, there is a reflex 
action of the limbs until a very short time before death. 
During the period of incubation the temperature of the rabbit is normal. As the 
time approaches for the first symptoms to appear there is an elevation of temperature 
of from 1 to 2 degrees, which continues for a variable length of time, but rarely longer 
than two days. This is followed by a gradual or usually a more rapid drop to the sub- 
normal, which continues to the end. 
This method of diagnosing rabies requires that the inoculated animals remain ap- 
parently well for a considerable length of time after the subdural inoculation and before 
the paralytic symptoms appear. If the death is caused by rabies the inoculation wound 
in the head should be healed perfectly, there should be no abscess and the meninges 
