IIABIKS. Hi 



senselesa cruelty whioh defeats its own object and manifestly tends 

 to create and increase rabies and hydrophobia. " The expressive word 

 " rot " is the exact value of such stuff ; for it has force enough in it 

 to decay, nothing more. Kabies cannot be created, and it can only 

 be propagated by its own seed or germ ; just as mange can only be 

 reproduced by transference of the mite which produces it from a 

 mangy dog to a healthy one. My own opinion of muzzling is that, 

 whilst it cannot be made the means of stamping out rabies, it 

 undoubtedly holds it in check. 



It is most important that every dog-owner — and indeed every 

 person — should be able to recognise the symptoms of rabies, and I 

 here give the description of them, taken from my small work, " Mad 

 Dogs and Hydrophobia," to whioh I refer readers for fuller treat- 

 ment of the whole subject. 



Altered Demeanour. — Those who keep dogs and care for them 

 must be acquainted with the ordinary demeanour and habits of 

 these animals. One dog is of a morose disposition, rarely making 

 friends with anyone but his naaater, even to him not very demon- 

 strative of affection, wliilst another ia most profuse in show of its 

 kindly feelings. A change from the ordinaiy state in the exhibition 

 and expression of the emotions is one of the very earliest symptoms 

 of approaching madness. The dog may display B,n exuberance of 

 affection, his natural tendency to jealousy be unusually and notably 

 excited, or the lively or loving dog may be dull and fretful, evading 

 or resenting the notice and caresses he had formerly seemed to live 

 for. Any such change should be a reason for giving extra close 

 attention to the animal's conduct. As, however, it might arise from 

 other causes, it cannot be taken alone as proof of rabies, but merely 

 suggestive and suspicious. 



Appetite. — Very often the appetite fails the dog ; but, as this is a 

 common symptom of many ailments, it must only be considered with 

 others. 



Seeking Retirement. — When madness is coming on a dog, he 

 naturally seeks retirement, that he may have rest and quiet. But 

 a dog with distemper wiU do the same, and in fact, it is a natural 

 action in illness in all animals, man not excepted. More than that, 

 it is a habit with some dogs in health, and no doubt an inherited 

 one, to seek rest in dark and shaded places, such as under tables, 

 beds, behind large furniture, and other quiet places ; but this 

 becomes more marked in the incipient stage of rabies, and if 

 indulged in more than usual, other symptoms should be looked for. 



AvoidMnce of Light. — One, and probably the immediate cause of 

 the retirement referred to is the painftilness caused by strong light, 

 for it will be noticed that a dark or shaded place is selected. 



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