Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-06-17
MAD DOGS.
How to Tell When Dogs Are Mad, and What
to Do in Cases of Rabies.

How to Tell When Dogs Are Mad, and What
to Do in Cases of Rabies.
The following timely letter appears
in the columns of the London Times (:
During the last few months an I'M
usual number of dogs have been af-
fected with hydrophobia in the me-
tropolis, as we'll as in other parts of the
United Kingdom. From the circum-
stance that several cases of the disease
have very lately occurred in the practice
of the Brown Institution, as we'll as from
information received from other sources,
there seems to me to be some reason to
fear that it is still rather widely preva-
lent.
As the danger to the public which
arises whenever this is the case, how
ever horrible in itself, is one which can
be avoided by the possession of the
requisite information, it is clearly de-
sirable, even at the risk of exciting
alarm in the minds of few sensitive
persons, that such information should
becommunicatedfo for th e general good.
[ have, therefore, put down in as plain
words as possible what appear to me to
be the most useful criteria for the re-
cognition of rabies in the dog. In doing
SO | have been assisted by the expert
enced veterinary surgeon of the Brown
Institution, Mr.. Duguid, and by my
friend Mr. Hunting, of Derby street,
Mayfair, who has paid special attention
to the disease. [ have also the adj
vantage of writing with an actual case
under my observation.
Persons are liable to be bitten by
mad dogs under two sets of circum-
stances first when rabid animal es-
capes from home and is at large; and,
secondly, when dog not supposed to
be infected is caressed by It's master or
those who have to do with it at home.
Consequently, it is quite as important
that the public should be aware of those
slight indications which afford ground
for the suspicion that the disease is
impending, as that they should know
the Characteristic signs bywhich it may
be recognized when it has declared it.
self.
The premonitory indications of rabies
in dog are derived almost entirely
from observation of changes in it's de-
meanor; consequently, although they
may be too trifing to be noticed by a
casual observer, they are fortunately
sufficiently striking to arrest the atten-
ton of anyone who is about a dog and
familiar with it's habits and Individual
peculiarities.
A dog about to become rabid loses it's
natural iveliness. It mopes about as
if preoccupied or apprehensive, and
seeks to withdraw into dark corners.
From the first there is usually a fore
shadowing of that most constant symp-
tom of the disease-depraved appetite
Mad dogs not only devour filth ndrub-
bish of every kind with avldity, but
even their own excrement-often i'm
mediately after it has been passed.
Indications of this kind appear early
and are more than suspicious.
Along with this peculiarly Of beha-
vior it is of equal Importance to noticed
that an infected dog, from the first,
snaps at other dogs without provoca-
ton. This snappishness in most dogs
in very striking. IF a dog previously
known to have no such habit snaps in
Discriminatory at the first dog it meets
in the yard or in the street, it is pro-
badly not safe.
So far I have had in mind what is to
be observed in dogs tied up at home.
A dog which is at large is also to be
recognized as in dangerous state by it's
demeanor. A healthy dog in it's pro
gress along street or elsewhere, shows
at every step that its attention is awake
to the sights and sounds it encounters.
The rabid dog, on the contrary, goes
sullenly and unobservantly forward,
and is not diverted by objects obviously
likely to attract it. This statement,
however, is subject to the important e1-
ception already referred to, that it is
excited by the sight and sound of al
animal Of its own species
OF the symptoms which accompany
the final stage of the disease, the most
important and characteristic are those
which relate to the organs in which ii
locates itself-the mouth and throat.
Attention is often drawn to the condi-
posed to be healthy by the observa-
ton thatit tries to scratch the corners OF
its mouth, as if attempting to get off the
ropy mucus which is seen to be dis
charged from it. In dogs that are
tied up it is noticeable that the bark
has entirely lost its ring, and acquires
peculiar hOarseness, which can be
recognized even by the most unobser
want. AS the disease progresses the
discharge increases, the lower jaws
hang as if paralyzed, and the anima-
has evidently difficulty in swallowing
Along with this there is often loss Of
power of hind limbs. If now the dogi is
watched, the peculiarities OF behavior
which have been always noticed are
seen to present themselves in much
more marked degree than before. II
is observed, first, that it is subject to
paroxysms of excitement, in which it
makes often-repeated efforts to bite
objects (such as wood, straw, etc. with
In it's reach, while at the same time ii
continues to exhibit the tendency al