BABIES. 247 



small, and should be at least 60 per cent., the great majority of 

 cases observed being the dumb form. This is distinguished from 

 furious rabies by the fact that the irritating or nervous symptoms 

 are less marked, and in very rare cases entirely absent, also that 

 the paralytic symptoms appear rarely in the disease. First we see 

 paralysis of the muscles of the lower jaw. The mucus or saliva 

 runs out of the opened mouth, and an inclination to bite is entirely 

 absent, although under certain conditions when the mouth is for- 

 cibly opened the animal will be able to bite. The voice is also 

 changed, but it is very rarely heard. We see a loss of appetite, the 

 animal being unable to seize or swallow foreign bodies. In this 

 quiet form the three stages follow very closely on each other, the 

 course of the disease being very rapid, and death, as a rule, appears 

 in two or three days, never over five. 



The diagnosis of rabies may be complicated by certain conditions 

 present, due to other diseases. This is especially noticed in the 

 mild form and in well-trained, affectionate animals which obey 

 their masters to the last. The writer knows of two instances in 

 which the English setter was under complete control; hunted in 

 the field, obeying whistle and call instantly, and at the same time 

 had symptoms of dumb rabies. Excitement and restlessness, a ten- 

 dency to escape, biting and delirious actions, rapid emaciation, and 

 debility are characteristics of the furious form of this disease, while 

 great depression and paralysis of the lower jaw are characteristic 

 of the dumb form. In both forms there is a great inclination to 

 gnaw objects. Sexual desire, in the early stage, is prominent. A 

 depraved appetite and altered bark; more or less rapid symptoms 

 of paralysis, and the cases being invariably fatal. The post-mortem 

 confirms the disease when we find acute hypersemia of the -throat, 

 pharynx, and mucous membrane, hemorrhagic erosions, and foreign 

 bodies, etc., in the stomach. In doubtful cases the disease can only 

 be accurately diagnosed by vaccination — ^that is to say, by the in- 

 jection of small quantities of brain or spinal substance which have 

 been diluted with distilled water. This should be injected into 

 the dura mater of a dog or rabbit after it has been trephined. The 

 operation is easily performed, and is especially valuable when the 

 suspected animal may have bitten not only other dogs, but man. 



Another method of vaccination for diagnostic purposes is recom- 

 mended by ISToeard and others, and is used at Alfort at the present 



