ills DISEASES 07 DOGS. 



Saliva, Froth, and Foam. — There may be an increase of saliva, 

 but this IB not constant, and the dog does not froth and foam as 

 wheui in an epileptic fit, or when under intense fear, excitement, and 

 heat from having been chased. 



Sexual Excitement. — It is a common, and often an early symptom, 

 for the dog to be nnusuaJly salacious. Any excessive display, there- 

 fore, of this passion should excite suspicion; but it is not to be 

 taken alone as proving rabies. 



Change in the Voice. — The bark of the rabid dog is hoarse and 

 husky, and indeed has a note so peculiar that it indicates the 

 disease with great certainty to those who have studied it. It is not, 

 however, an early characteristic, nor are the following : 



Fluid Vomited. — In some cases a dark brown, almost blood-like 

 fluid is vomited. 



Insensibility to Pain. — Sensibility becomes greatly blunted, so 

 that wounds which would make a healthy dog howl, are borne 

 apparently without much feeling. 



Paroxysms of Fury. — As the disease progresses, paroxysms of 

 rage alternate with periods of quiet from exhaustion, and soon the 

 dog becomes paralysed, and dies asphyxiated, unless his sufferings 

 have been humanely put an end to. 



Drinking Water. — When first attacked, the dog takes bis water 

 much as usual ; but as he is affected by everything that glistens, he 

 may start at the gleam of bright water. In the very advanced 

 stages, a mad dog will plunge his mouth into water, apparently to 

 oool his parched tongue and fauces, for he has lost the power to lap. 

 The appetite is, in many instances, so vitiated that, while the 

 power remains, the patient will lap at his own urine. 



Obedient to the Last. — Not in the early stage only, but far into, 

 and even at, the sad close, the dog, when conscious, answers to 

 his master's voice, and obeys his command. This should not, 

 however, induce the free handling or encouraging pat, so natural 

 to bestow, for, in a moment, the dog may be tmder the sinister 

 influence again, and inflict an injury which, if in possession of his 

 senses, he would be far from doing. 



Importance of Early Symptoms. — To prevent the dreadful spread 

 of this disease, and especially to prevent human beings from the 

 horrible sufferings and death a bite from a mad dog may cause, 

 dog-owners should make themselves thoroughly acquainted with the 

 earlier symptoms, which I have endeavoured to make clear. 



Necessity for Isolation. — Whilst some of the symptoms described, 

 taken alone, may indicate a harmless complaint, not one should pass 

 without serious notice, and when any two or more are known to be 

 present, it is clearly the duty of an owner to isolate the dog in & 



