314 RABIES 



While at first the affected dog may not be disposed to bite, 

 it becomes more dangerous as its hallucinations and delirium 

 increase. 



The disturbance of the sensations leads to chills and itch- 

 ing. If the place where the bite occurred is accessible, the 

 dog licks the scar and later bites and tears the tissues. In 

 this case it bites into its own flesh with apparent pleasure and 

 satisfaction. Food is taken until the disease is considerablj' 

 advanced, if it is something which can be swallowed without 

 mastication, otherwise it is soon dropped. Difficult}- in swal- 

 lowing is an early symptom. Mad dogs have no fear or dread 

 of water, they continue to drink until paralj'sis prevents them 

 from swallowing. 



When the furious symptoms appear, the dog lea\-es his 

 home and starts upon a long chase with no apparent object in 

 view other than to be traveling. He trots at a rapid pace, eye 

 haggard and tail depressed. He is indift'erent to the sur- 

 roundings. He flies at and bites persons whom he meets, but 

 usually does not apparently search for them or even notice 

 them if they remain quiet. Dogs in this condition maj' travel 

 many miles and finally drop from exhaustion and die. Often 

 after the absence of a da}- or two they return to their home, 

 exhausted, emaciated, covered with dust, thus presenting a 

 most forlorn and miserable appearance. Those who have pity 

 for such an animal and tr^' to make it clean and comfortable 

 are in great danger of being bitten as the disease has advanced 

 to a point where the delirium or insanity is most marked and 

 where a treacherous bite is most common. 



If the animal, instead of being allowed to escape, is kept 

 confined, the paroxysms of furj' are seen to occur intermit- 

 tently or, in the absence of provocation, they may be entirely 

 wanting. If excited it howls, rushes upon objects that are 

 thrust toward it or throws itself against the bars of its cage 

 and bites with great fur}'. 



As death approaches the animal becomes exhausted and is 

 scarcel}' able to stand. The eyes are dull and sunken and the 

 expression is that of pain and despair. Paralysis appears in 

 the jaws or in the posterior extremities and extends rapidly to 



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