hydrophobia 
353 
opposes his progress he will, as if by impulse, snap. He is sometimes 
subjected to hallucinations, flies at some imaginary objects, as in the 
act of catching flies. This pantomime may be repeated twenty times 
an hour.* In the course of a day or two after the first manifestation of 
these symptoms, the characteristic signs become more marked; the 
desire to bite is greatly exaggerated ; the pupils are dilated ; the con¬ 
junctivas red and injected ; the eyes alternately widely opened with 
fury, and then closed in a dull but fierce manner. The forehead 
becomes wrinkled ; the looks of the animal are terrifying and repulsive ; 
the presence of a living object excites the rage of the sufferer, causing 
it to spring at and endeavor to bite it. Any shining object will bring 
on a paroxysm of rage and excitement, and water, if the light shines 
upon it, will do the same ; but if placed in a dark place, or where light 
does not shine, the dog will endeavor to drink with avidity. Intermit¬ 
ting with the excitement are periods of great prostration, the exhausted 
animal lying down in the quietest spot he can find, insensible to all sur¬ 
rounding objects : when away from these things the fits of rage are not 
so great, indeed, sometimes scarcely observed.f The noise he makes 
is incessant and peculiar. It begins in a bark, which is quickly changed 
to a howl, which is suddenly cut short in the middle. J He is not afraid 
of the water; on the contrary, he will sometimes plunge deeply his 
nose into it without being able to swallow. He dies from asphyxia in 
from four to eight days. 
Symptoms in Man. —There is a general uneasiness, pain in the 
bitten part, sometimes extending to the body when the wound is on a 
limb. Some sleep well, but others have dreadful dreams ; the appetite 
is diminished ; the bowels are costive. These symptoms continue for a 
few days, but sometimes for a few hours only. Then comes the dread 
of swallowing, when it is to be present. The throat is sore, so is the 
head and neck. Violent fits are caused by the attempt to swallow ; 
great horror of any one coming suddenly into the room or looking at 
thepn ; they cannot bear the sight of a bright light ; the wind seems to 
choke them. Violent spasms of vomiting, eyes are red, skin clammy, 
viscid saliva flowing from the mouth ; pulse reaches 160. During the 
intervals of rest they are quite free from pain, and the conversation is 
generally good; some will warn their friends to keep away from them, 
as they are apt to cause mischief unwillingly. Death comes generally 
during a violent spasm from twenty-four to thirty-six hours to three or 
$ Mayhew on the Dog. 
* Mayhew on the Dog. 
t Williams. 
