RABIES IN THE DOG.— SYMPTOMS. 
525 
tion — in the susceptibility of the sensorial organs, or the increase 
or interruption of sensorial power ? I can well imagine that deli- 
rium, or disorder of the mind, must necessarily accompany that 
change of organic nervous power — that determination of increased 
stimulus — that disposition to be influenced and affected by it, 
which are the characteristics of rabies. But, apart from this, I 
have a guide which can scarcely deceive me — a different predis- 
position set up by the artificial and different education which man 
has given to these animals. The illusions — the incoherence of 
thought — the character of the mental agitation, to a certain de- 
gree, are in unison with the previous mental habits and prevailing 
disposition of the patient. The education which is given to the 
bull-dog and the terrier, in those nurseries of crime the dog-pits, 
prepare them for that extent of mischief which in their rabid 
hallucinations they so frequently effect. It was to one of the 
larger species of these dogs that the poor fellow at Harrow fell 
a victim. A butcher at Whitechapel, had a dog that was the 
champion of that district. He became rabid. After many acts 
of ferocity, he sprung on his master, who was endeavouring to 
restrain him ; and he fastened on him, and only relaxed his gripe 
ill the moment of death. A large bull terrier came into the 
garden of a gentleman on Clapham Common. His eyes were 
said to be wild and red, and starting from its head. In endea- 
vouring to attack the yard-dog, he ran furiously against the rails, 
as if he were almost blind. In a second effort he was more suc- 
cessful, and he fastened on the shoulder of the other, and there 
he hung until his brains were beaten out. I once attended a horse 
on whose muzzle a dog of the same species had fastened, and 
there he hung until he was dispatched with the stable-fork. 
That detestable and now diminished breed of dogs, the blood- 
hound — the ravages which he has committed in a state of rabies 
are scarcely credible. In Saint Domingo, where, as in other 
parts of the West Indies, they were sometimes used for demoni- 
acal purposes, one of these brutes became rabid. Obeying the 
horrible impulse which had been systematically impressed upon 
him, he was satisfied only with human victims. He had ap- 
peared in a certain district, and several of the negro-children, 
and two of the mothers who would have defended them, had 
been bitten. He had escaped to the mountains, and his retreat 
could not be discovered. The whole population of that part of 
the island was alarmed, for they doubted not that, when his 
strength had been recruited by repose, he would re-appear. Most 
assuredly he did, at the close of the day, among a group of 
cottages belonging to some of the slaves. A veterinary surgeon, 
who was afterwards in the island, thus speaks of him “His 
VOL. X. 3 Y 
