238 THE MANAGEMENT AND DISEASES OF THE DOG. 



" In Saint Cyr's 87 cases of confirmed rabies in 1865, there 

 were only 26 the date of whose inoculation could be positively 

 ascertained. In these the latent period was : 



" Bouley has known instances in which the latent period 

 was twelve days and seven months, though they were rare ; it 

 was usually from six to twelve weeks. 



" According to Haubner, in 200 cases the appearance of the 

 disease within two months was 83 per cent ; three months, 

 16 per cent ; four months, i per cent. He mentions an in- 

 stance in which the incubatory period was from seven to 

 eight months, and another in which it was fourteen months. 

 He gives an average of three months." * 



With such variations in the incubative period, it is little 

 to be wondered at that persons after being bitten, and under 

 what condition of the animal they- know not, should be filled 

 with dread, and exhibit, especially those of nervous tempera- 

 ment, great mental excitement. 



"What takes place during this incubatory or latent period 

 we know not; but it may be confidently asserted {hat in no 

 other malady is this interregnum more variable and uncertain ; 

 indeed, if we are to credit some reports, the duration of the 

 latent stage is indefinite. The capriciousness of the virus of 

 rabies in this respect is certainly very remarkable and unac- 

 countable. The wounds produced by rabid animals generally 

 heal up readily, and leave but slight traces, and to all appear- 

 ances those who have been injured appear to be as well as 

 * Fleming's " Rabies and Hydrophobia," pp. 178-180. 



