RABIES IN A HORSE. 
331 
tion occasionally of its beat. The respiration, however, was 
very much accelerated, which seemed somewhat strange, con¬ 
sidering that the pulse remained unaltered. I made a special 
remark about this at the time. I examined every part of the 
animal, but did not detect any evidence of a bite. The pro¬ 
minent symptoms were total blindness, arrestation of the 
urinary secretion, discharge of large quantities of saliva, 
unceasing restlessness, and occasional attempts to bite those 
near him. Tie also had a most ferocious look. 
I administered a sedative draught with great difficulty. 
T he act of giving the medicine brought on a severe paroxysm. 
He became almost frantic. Being much worse, in a couple of 
hours I attempted to administer another drench, but found 
it to be impracticable. Every attempt at introducing the horn 
into his mouth made him furious. He would throw himself 
upon the ground—not fall down—-as if determined to break his 
neck. He would soon rise again, and stagger about the yard, 
all the time snapping at the rope by which he was held. At 
length, finding he was becoming dangerous, I secured his legs 
when down, and kept him in that position, which made him, 
if possible, more frantic. At this time the owner, seeing the 
horse secured, felt more at ease, and approached within a 
couple of yards of him. He soon consented to my destroying 
him, which I did by opening the right jugular vein and 
blowing into it. This took place about 3 p. m., and five 
hours after I first saw him. For the last three hours, in 
particular, the animal had been most dangerous to approach 
or to handle. 
The next morning I examined the interior of the body. 
Nothing seemed amiss except the heart, which was greatly 
dilated, pale, and soft in texture. The brain was afterwards 
examined in the presence of a medical friend. We found the 
membranes very much inflamed, especially at the base of the 
brain. Although it was evident that the base of the organ 
had suffered most, we were of opinion that the substance of 
the brain in general gave indications of disease. I have since 
been told that many other animals have been bitten by dogs 
supposed to be mad. From what I can learn, it seems that 
about three weeks elapse before the bitten animals are seen 
to suffer. The black mare, whose companion the horse was, 
has been attacked since, and, 1 believe, was destroyed. It is 
almost impossible here to trace things to their source, for the 
country people will afford no assistance. The desire to stifle 
all information abounds with them. I fear I have not added 
much to that which is already known of this disease, but such 
as that case is it is at your service, 
