342 
APPENDIX.-D. 
long neglected. It by no means unfrequently happens, that it 
is not until after a dog is dead that he is suspected of having 
been rabid, although he may have bitten one or more persons. 
Under such circumstances, it is evident that it is of the utmost 
consequence to be able to decide, from a post-mortem exami¬ 
nation of the dead body alone, whether the disease did or did 
not exist. Fortunately the morbid appearances peculiar to these 
cases are usually well marked, and so universally present, that a 
just decision is seldom difficult to form, even from them alone.” 
The morbid appearance of the brain, jaws, and thoracic vis¬ 
cera are here examined seriatim, but although their symptoms 
are very well marked and defined, I shall pass at once to his 
times ocours in rabies, I have often seen mistaken for distemper, and that even 
by veterinary surgeons: it is, indeed, the most deceitful of all the appearances 
which occur, particularly where it continues for some time, as is occasionally 
the case. Usually, however, it is the permanent attendant on distemper, and a 
temporary one only of rabies; while the previous emaciation, cough, and gra¬ 
dual increase of the flow, from thin and watery to muco-purulent, and then to 
pus, are distinguishing symptoms of distemper. A tetanic attack has been mis¬ 
taken for rabies ; but the extreme rarity of this disease renders such error not of 
very likely occurrence, and the medical attendant ought never to be deceived: 
rigid convulsions may contort the frame, and close the mouth ; but there is no 
other likeness to rabies present, and the dog is as incapable as he is disinclined 
to do mischief in any way: the death of the tetanic dog will also, by internal 
inspection of the body, at once distinguish between these diseases, as in tetanus 
there are few marks of visceral disturbance. Spasmodic colic will contort the 
dog, and may sometimes make him irritable and disposed to bite, if he be dis¬ 
turbed ; but he will never attempt it purposely: on the contrary, he will rather 
avoid all intercourse with living beings. Colic also, particularly that occasioned 
by taking lead internally, produces excruciating pains not present in rabies, 
which pains also remit and return at uncertain intervals: again, although plain¬ 
tive moans may be heard in spasmodic colic, barking or howling is always ab¬ 
sent : neither are the jaws paralyzed : active purging also relieves this, but is 
totally inert in the other. Lastly, the mistakes likely to occur between rabies 
and other diseases are, in some degree, attributable to erroneous pictures drawn 
by authors of such diseases: thus, Dr. Jenner’s account of the distemper, instead 
of deserving the praise his great name has drawn down upon it, is entirely cal¬ 
culated to mislead: indeed, it might be supposed by his readers, that he waa 
purposely describing rabies and not distemper.” 
