On Rabies. 



57 



The post-mortem appearances in the rabbit are better marked and 

 more constant than in the dog. The brain and medulla are more 

 frequently hyperaemic ; in the majority of cases they are materially 

 softened, which is not altogether dependent upon the duration of the 

 symptoms ; sometimes the spinal cord especially is so soft that it is 

 difficult to detach a portion of it entire. The microscopical appear- 

 ances are similar to those described in the case of the dog, but 

 haemorrhages in the substance of the cord, so frequent in the latter 

 animal, are not found in the rabbit. 



Continuing to feed till the very last, the stomach is usually full of 

 partially digested food, as is frequently the gullet, in this differing 

 markedly from the dog. The stomach constantly shows congestion, 

 with haemorrhagic spots in almost every case ; they may be minute and 

 very few in number, only two or three, but are always present unless 

 in those exceptional cases where death has followed very shortly after 

 the appearance of the first symptoms. These haemorrhages are 

 similar to those in the dog, occurring in the same situation, viz., 

 chiefly towards the cardia and on the greater curvature, but are 

 usually more conspicuous, attaining a larger size and sometimes 

 becoming confluent, covering a large portion of the wall of the 

 stomach.* 



The small and large intestines are generally normal, the faeces in 

 the lower bowel being firm ; in summer, however, diarrhoea is some- 

 times present, though this is probably due to other concurrent causes, 

 and not to the specific action of the virus. I have never observed 

 its occurrence during the winter months. The same remark as to its 

 cause applies also to the loss of condition and emaciation that is 

 sometimes found. 



The subcutaneous tissue is generally very vascular, and small 

 patches of congestion are found, which to superficial observation 

 appear as red spots of variable extent. 



The larynx and trachea are almost invariably hyperaemic, frequently 

 intensely so ; the lungs are as frequently congested to a variable 

 extent, the margin of the lower lobe being usually the seat of the 

 greatest changes; sometimes portions may be found consolidated or 

 cyanotic, though this not unfrequently occurs in tame rabbits kept 

 in confinement, and independently of experiment. 



The liver is frequently enlarged, almost invariably congested, and 

 often engorged with dark blood ; in only two cases out of upwards of 

 100 noted have I observed it perfectly unchanged and healthy. 



The spleen in nearly one-third of the cases is small. I have never 

 observed it materially enlarged or softened. 



The kidneys are frequently congested, and the urinary bladder is 



* These are correctly represented in the accompanying drawing, fig. 3, of a very 

 well marked case. 



