148 
J. H. ADAMSON. 
pain therefrom, as though there was a morbid sensation of 
numbness in that region. In the earlier stages constitutional 
disturbance and slight fever is present, with a rise of temper¬ 
ature to 104°,-great nervous excitability, respiration of a peculiar 
sighing or sobbing character, and somewhat tumultuous. 
Toward the last, the agitation of the victim becomes increased, 
and the countenance is one of extreme terror and a marked em¬ 
barrassment in the breathing, which is spasmodic or convulsive. 
He suffers from acute thirst, and when he swallows, violent 
paroxysms produced by spasm of the pharynx and larynx seem 
to suffocate him, which continues for several seconds, and are 
succeeded by feelings of intense alarm and distress. The at¬ 
tempt to drink is again renewed, but only to be followed by a 
repetition of the seizure until the unhappy sufferer ceases from 
sheer dread to quench his thirst, which torments him. 
The patient is always susceptible and extremely sensitive to 
any kind of external impression. A bright light, a loud noise, 
a breath of cold air, contact with any one, are all apt to pro¬ 
duce a convulsive seizure. Besides these suffocative attacks, 
there also occur general convulsions affecting the whole muscu¬ 
lar system, and which is often thrown into a condition of tetanic 
spasm. These spasms increase in frequency and severity, with 
intervals of comparative quiet as the disease advances. In man, 
and other animals than the dog, the breathing becomes more 
laborious and jerking, accompanied by peculiar sonorous expi¬ 
rations, which often suggests to observers the notion that the 
sufferer “barks like a dog.” During the latter stages there is 
always a viscid secretion in the mouth, which is ropy, thick 
and gluey. There is never great fever, but the bowels are 
always constipated and diminished flow of urine. After two or 
three days of suffering of the most terrible description, the ani¬ 
mal succumbs, death taking place, either from a paroxysm of 
choking, or in a tranquil manner from nervous exhaustion, all 
the symptoms having abated, and the power of swallowing re¬ 
turning shortly before the end. The duration of the disease is * 
generally from two to five days. 
