Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1873-01-30
SELECTED READING.
..AAD DOG" Dr1usIoNs.

A story is going the rounds OF the
papers respecting some persons IN In
dianapolis, who recently cut out the
heart of presumably mad dog, which
had bitten a child, boiled as proven
tative against hydrophobia. This story
whether true or not; is but a sample of
the ignorant notions which prevail with
reference to that form of animal disease
commonly, but very often IMPROPERLY,
called "hydrophobia:" This word sig
mites fear of water" which is not an
invariable symptom of the malady;
wherefore the word madness, is a
more correct name: This disease is
not peculiar to dogs, as many people
think, although those animals are more
frequently affected by it than cats, horses
or cattle are. Much unnecessary alarm
to human beings and cruelty to the
afflicted animals might be prevented if
a more general knowledge Of the real
character and symptoms of the disease
prevailed. A long and very interesting
correspondence on this subject has been
carried on in London by persons enga
ged in the breeding Of animals, and
some of the leading English veterinary
surgeons have taken part in it. From
these experts, especially from Messrs.
Fleming and Youatt, many important
fscts may be learned, which are deserv-
ing of the attention of the public.
The veterinary surgeons above men,
toned assert that the mad dog has no
fear of water and suffers no CONFUSION
at its approach. In cases where para
lysis of the lower jaw has destroyed the
power to lap, the poor creature will
plunge their muzzles into the water up
to the eyes in the endeavor to drink, but
in any case the behavior Of dog with
reference to water seems to furnish no
criterion of it's condition. The disease
is, in fact veritable insanity; resembling
the form Of human mclady when it is
attended with hallucination. Thus a
mad dog will rush at imaginary enc
mics, hear sounds which are not heard
by others, and see sights which no one
else does. His appetite becomes per-
verified so that he will tear and devour
matters wholly unlike his ordinary
food. He becomes insensible to pain,
so as to be apparently unconscious OF
serious bodily injuries; his saliva turns
poisonous and death soon follows. Mr..
Flemrrfng says that the first symptoms
of madness in animals, especially IN
dogs, is change in the ordinary habits
and appearance. The dog becomes
dull, gloomy and taciturn, seeks to
isolate itself; and Chooses solitude and
obscurity, hiding in out-of-the-way
places and under sofas, and other pieces
Of furniture but it cannot rest; it is
uneasy and fidgety; no sooner has 1t
lain down than it jumps up in an agitat-
ed manner and wanders about trying to
find where he can repose more readily.
Another common symptom is desire
to lick anything cold, as iron, stone;
&c, and also other animss, likewise to
pick up small objects and carry them
away. As the restlessness increases,
the dog manifests the halluclnations al
before mentioned, and he is liable to
paroxysms of fury, especially at the
Sight OF another dog. He also takes to
animals wandering, and he should be
placed in secure confinement or destr oy-
ed, the former should, indeed, be done
at an carly stage Of the disease: 'Ihe
English surgeons are Of opinion that
there is no specific antidote or remedy
for real hydrophobia ir- ahtn,als7 the