APPENDIX.—D. 
335 
sudden startings, great watchfulness, and a disposition to be 
acted on by sudden impressions, as noises, the appearance of a 
stranger, &c. This watchfulness, however, often yields to a 
momentary stupor, and inclination to doze, from which the dog 
will start up, and fix his eyes steadfastly on some object, pro¬ 
bably on one not usually noticed, and often on one altogether 
imaginary; at which he will attempt to fly. In this stage the 
breathing is often hurried ; sometimes the panting is excessive, 
and, where the pulse can be examined, it is invariably found 
rapid, and sometimes hard. The irritability in these cases is 
marked by extreme impatience of control; and even when no 
aptitude to attack or act offensively towards those around may 
appear, yet a great disposition to resist any slight offence offered 
commonly shews itself. A stick held to such a dog is sure to 
excite his anger, even from those he is most attached to, and he 
will seize and shake it with violence; the same will occur if 
either the hand or foot be held out, but, unless in a very great 
state of excitement, these he will rather mumble than tear, if 
belonging to those he is acquainted with. This disposition to 
Decome irritated on the slightest show of offence, as flying at a* 
stick, is a very marked feature of rabies, and should be very 
particularly attended to, and the more, as it usually is present 
in both varieties of the malady; unless when paralysis has 
blunted the capability of excitement. A peculiar suspicion 
marks these particular cases, and a degree of treachery also, by 
which in the midst of caresses, apparently received with plea¬ 
sure, the dog will at once turn and snap at those noticing him: 
he will, perhaps, readily come when he is called, and with 
every mark of tractability, will wag his tail and seem pleased, 
but on a sudden he will seem to receive a counter impression, 
and hastily bite the person who called him. This stage is often 
marked, in large and naturally fierce dogs, by an utter fearless¬ 
ness of danger, and contempt of every menace; every re¬ 
straint is submitted to with extreme reluctance; the miserable 
brute shakes his chain with extreme violence, and, when con¬ 
fined without one, he will attempt by every means to escape. 
