510 GENERAL DISEASES. 



remains virulent for at least a fortnight, even in the dead body 

 after putrefaction has set in. Rabies cannot be produced spon- 

 taneously, and, being propagated by inoculation (almost always 

 by a bite), its appearance is independent of the season of the year. 

 To produce the disease, the virus must come in contact with a 

 wound either in the skin or in" the mucous membrane. 



VARIETIES OF RABIES.— Rabies, as indicated in the preceding 

 paragraph, may assume a furious, or a paralytic form. In the 

 latter, the muscles of the jaws, limbs, or hind quarters becom^e 

 paralysed. Symptoms of paralysis usually appear in the last 

 stages of furious rabies. The paralytic form is not uncommon in 

 the horse. 



PERIOD OF INCUBATION is generally from one to two months. 

 In man it seldom exceeds six weeks. 



CHANCES OF RECOVERY, after the symptoms have shown 

 themselves, are practically nil. 



DURATION OF THE ATTACK, from the commencement of the 

 symptoms, is about five days. 



SYMPTOMS. — The first symptom is extreme watchfulness and 

 liability to be startled at the slightest noise or at the sight of any 

 moving object. The temperature is high and 'the pulse frequent 

 and strong. The horse becomes seized with paroxysms of excite- 

 ment, which increase in severity, while the intervals of rest get 

 shorter as the attack continues. There is sometimes more or less 

 paralysis of the hind quarters, and continued spasms (which be- 

 come worse during the paroxysms) of the neck and throat, which 

 render the animal unable to drink water, although he may try to 

 do SO'. This inability to drink is by no means a constant symp- 

 tom ; for some rabid horses will drink freely almost up to the last. 

 In some cases, there is a copious discharge of saliva from the 

 mouth and a hoarse cough. It has been frequently noticed that 

 the horse will bite and tear at the spot which was bitten, if it be 

 within reach. The animal becomes more and more excited, until 

 he gets into a state of mad fury, falls down, becomes convulsed or 

 insensible, and dies. The urine of a rabid horse almost alwaj-s 

 contains sugar. 



The symptom of all others to note in a suspected case, is the 

 watchfiil, horrified, or " hunted " look witli which a horse in thi.» 

 first stage of rabies will regard any one who goes near him. Tlie 

 moment this is observed, he should be secured, so that he cannot 



