HYDROPHOBIA. 27 
HYDROPHOBIA. 
This is always the fruit of contagion, received from some stable-pet, 
iw the shape of a dog or cat. It is essentially a nervous disorder. 
From the first, it influences the brain to a degree which no other malady 
seems capable of exercising. The animal constantly licks some portion 
of the body. The place appears to itch violently, and the tongue is 
applied with an energy and a perseverance highly characteristic of an 
over-wrought nervous distemper. The appetite always is affected; 
sometimes it is ravenous. The rack is not only emptied with unusual 
speed, but the bed, however soiled, is also consumed with more than 
apparent relish. Generally, however, the desire for provender is de- 
stroyed. Sometimes, the longing for fluids is morbidly increased. The 
horse plunges his head to the bottom of the pail, will bite at the groom 
who endeavors to interrupt the draught, or seize the wood between its 
teeth and crush it with a powerful gripe. More frequently, water will 
cause spasm, and be avoided with horror. The animal’s likings may be 
morbidly changed: it will occasionally devour its own excrement, and 
lick up its emissions. 
The nervous system is always highly developed. The horse starts at 
the smallest sound, trembles violently without a cause, flies backward, 
hangs upon the halter, stares wildly, 
and bursts into a copious sweat 
without any apparent reason being 
detected. Its voice is also changed, 
and the expression of the counte- 
nance invariably altered. The neigh 
is squeaking, and the face is at the 
commencement characterized by 
immense anxiety, which is soon 
changed for a peculiar aspect of 
cunning, mixed with a grinning 
ferocity. 
Rarely, however, all the foregoing symptoms are absent. The horse 
is harnessed and taken to work. Suddenly it stops, appears stupid, 
and threatens to fall. In a short time it recovers, and the labor is 
proceeded with. The fits occur again and again. At length they 
end in violent shivering. When the tremor ceases, the recognition 
is not perfectly recovered. The breathing is quick and sharp; the 
eye bright and wild. The animal is turned homeward, but seldom 
reaches the stable before the furious stage begins. 
THE COUNTENANCE OF A HORSE WITH HYDROPHOBIA. 
