Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-12-29
HY DIR OPHOBIA.

We have, within the past few weeks seen
terrible disease. 1t has resulted fatally in
every case we have seen mentioned, save one
or two wherein chloroforIR has been admins
tered. There is, however, a remedy, which, if
used in season, will prevent all injurious effects
from the bite of rabid animal
YoUATT, in his treatise on "The Dog" has
given a most interesting account of this awful
malady. In the Culiipator, for November, is
an excellent article on hydrophobia, which con-
tains extracts from Youatt's treatise. The
means Of prevention, and the symptoms Of rabies
in the dog, are thus described -
The application of caustc-lunar caustic-
has on the whole proved best. at is" says
Mr.. Youatt, perfectly manageable, and being
sharpened to point, may be applied with GER
tainty to every recess and snuosity of the
wound. If the whole of the wound has been
exposed to its action, an insouble compound
Of animal fibre and the metallic salt is produced,
in which the virus is wrapped up, and from
which it cannot be separated In short time
the dead matter sloughs away, and the virus is
thrown off with it." He recommends applying
the caustic second time, but more slightly,
after the aschar has sloughed off, in order to
erly acted on by the first operation.
"The early symptoms of rabies in the dog,
are occasionally very obscure. In the greater
number Of cases these are sullenness, fidgeti-
ness, and continual shifting of posture. Where
! have had opportunity, have generally found
these circumstances in regular succession. For
several consecutive hours, perhaps, he retreats
to his basket or his bed. He shows no dispo-
stion to bite, and he answers the call upon him
laggardly. He is curled up, and his face is
buried between his paws and his breast. At
length he begins to be fdgety. He searches
out new resting places; but he very soon
changes them for others. He takes again to
his own bed but he is continually shifting his
posture. He begins to gaze strangely about
him as he lies on his bed. His countenance is
clouded and suspicious. He comes to one and
another Of the family, and he fixes on them a
steadfast gaze, as if he would read their very
thoughts. Il feel strangely ill., he seems to
say have you any thing to do with it or
you ? or you?'" Has not dog mind enough
for this If we have observed rabid dog at
the commence ment of the disease, we have
seen this to the very life.
"A peculiar delirium is an early symptom,
and one that will never deceive.
"The expression of the countenance of the
dog undergoes considerable change, princ-
pally depending on the previous disposition of
the animal. If he was naturally of an affec-
tionate disposition there will be an anxious,
inquiring countenance, eloquent beyond the
power of resisting its influence. 1t is made up
Of strange suggestions as to the nature Of the
depresslons Of mind under which he labors,
mingled with some passing doubts, and they
are but passing, as to the concern which the
master has in the affair; but most of all, there
is an affectionate and conhding appeal for re-
lief At the same time we observe some strange
fancy, evidently passing through his mind, un-
alloyed, however, by the slightest portion Of
ferocity.
sin the countenance of the naturally savage
brute, or him that has been trained to be saw
age, there is, indeed, fearful change some
times the conlunctva is highly injected; at
other times it is scarcely affected, but the eyes
have an unusually bright and dazzling appear
ance. They are like two balls of fire, and
there is peculiar transparency Of the hyaloid
membrane, or injection Of that Of the retina.
"A very early symptom of rabies in the dog
is an extreme degree of restlessness. Frc-
quenty he is wandering about, shifting from
corner to corner, or continually rising up and
lying down, changing his posture in every pos
sible way, disposing of his bed with his paws,
shaking it with his mouth, bringing it to a
heap, on which he carefully lays his chest, or
rather the pit Of his stomach and then rising
up and bundling every portion of il out of the
Kennel. If he is put into closed basket, he
Will not be still for an instant, but turn round
and round without cessing. Ifhe is at liberty,