332 
APPENDIX.-D. 
more than usual watchfulness and restlessness; it is often 
ushered in by some peculiarity of manner, some departure from 
the ordinary habits of the animal, or by the introduction of new 
ones. In many instances, but more particularly in the smaller 
and closely domesticated kinds of dogs, this peculiarity consists 
in a disposition to pick up straws, thread, paper, or other small 
objects. In others, the first symptoms noticed is an eager and 
unceasing attempt to lick the anus or parts of generation of an¬ 
other dog. The lapping of their own urine is a common and 
early symptom of madness, and one that should be particularly 
inquired for; as, when found to exist, I know of none that 
should be regarded as more strongly characteristic of rabies, 
and of no other complaint. Some shew an early disposition to 
lick every thing cold about them, as iron, stone, &c. These, 
and other peculiarities, often appear in lap-dogs, and others that 
are under immediate observation, one, two, or even three days 
before the more decisive and active symptoms. The constant 
licking of a particular spot, or portion of the body, I have re¬ 
garded as a very strong characteristic of rabies; particularly 
when the animal is seen to watch over this part with a jealous 
solicitude, or to bite and even gnaw it. Others spend their fero¬ 
city on their bed, or the basket in which they usually sleep ; in 
fact, every thing awakens his ire, until, completely exhausted, 
he sinks into a slumber, from which ever and anon he starts up 
in a restless or feiocious mood. Not more than two days inter¬ 
vene between the precursory symptoms noted and a salivary dis¬ 
charge, which seldom lasts more than two days, and is often 
succeeded by a viscid spume, which the dog with much earnest¬ 
ness rubs off with his fore paws. The eyes, even in this early 
stage, if observed attentively, will often be found rather more 
bright, lively, and red than usual, and are then accompanied 
with a certain quickness and irritability of manner.* In other 
“ * Mr. Youatt expresses this alteration in the eyes as being of a peculiarly 
bright and dazzling kind, accompanied by a slight strabismus; not the protrusion 
of the membrana nictitans, as in distemper, but an actual distortion from the 
natural axis of the eye.” 
