OX SPONTANEOUS RABIES. 
As to the first, Mr. Dewhurst says that the animal “ was seized 
with symptoms indicating a violent attack of rabies, but which 
need not here be enimierated; and after lingering several days, 
to the great terror of his mistress and her servant, he died/ 5 I 
must beg leave to tell Mr. Dewhurst, that there was “ need” that 
the symptoms of the case should “be enumerated;” for although 
I have much confidence in his skill, I should, under such circum¬ 
stances, choose to judge for myself. I have not here, however, 
even the benefit of Mr. Dewhurst’s judgment; for it would appear 
that he did not see the dog while living—“ being in the habit of 
attending the old lady professionally, I was soon informed of the 
decease of her favourite.” I should, therefore, be entitled to ask, 
by whom were the symptoms observed, that I might form my 
opinion as to their capability of accurate observation and faithful 
narration. 
But I wave all this; for when I proceed to the second point, 
the morbid appearances after death, Mr. Dewhurst has furnished 
me with sufficient proof that it was not a case of rabies. He says 
that^‘ on opening the head the dura mater had its vessels gorged 
with blood ; as were the other membranes : the whole substance 
of the cerebrum was likewise in a high state of vascularity, and 
the lateral ventricles contained about a drachm of bloody serum.” 
“ The intestines were completely loaded with patches of ulceration ; 
and where it was not affected by this process, the mucous mem¬ 
brane was as if painted with dark crimson venous blood.”' 
I confess I cannot recognize in this one character of rabies. 
I have seen some vascularity of the membranes, the degree of it 
depending on the previous phrenitis, but never much increased 
vascularity of the cerebral substance . I have seen inflammation 
extending occasionalh / from the stomach to the small intestines, 
but never any “patches of ulceration, or painting with dark 
crimson venous blood.” I see nothing resembling rabies ; and I 
think Mr. Dewhurst, on recollection, will acknowledge that he 
has given an accurate and satisfactory account not of that disease, 
but of inflammatory fever; which might, in its early stage, be 
accompanied by sufficient general excitation to cause “ great terror 
in the mistress and her servant,” and which would leave precisely 
these lesions of the brain and the intestines, and I may also add, 
“the larynx, pharynx, and whole oesophagus.” 
Mr. Dewhurst adds, “ that the stomach exhibited the usual 
morbid appearances explained in The V eterinarian and in Mr. 
Y/s re-publication.” Most certainly there would be spots of ecchy- 
mosis or ulceration in the stomach ; but when lie adds, “ suffice it to 
say, that the morbid appearances which lie has stated generally,were 
nearlv all found in the dissection of this animal,” 1 confess I am 
