The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1874-07-18
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
III ydrorhohfu in Domestic Animal.

Hsdrorhubfu in Domestic Animals.
The veterinary editor of the Prairie
Farmer gives the following description
of the symptoms of hydrophobia III
the animals and poultry of the farm
yard:
OF the origin, seat, and pathology of
this fearful disease, there have been
various opinions, some considering it
conferred III the nervous system, and
some that the blood is poisoned by the
virus primarily, and the nervous sys-
tenn secondarily affected Perhaps few
diseases have excited more intense In
terest than this or have been the sub
Ject of more writing and discussion.
For centuries certain medicines and
specifics have been Wanted as cures
for hydrcphobia, and some even as pre-
ventIves. The public, however, should
be put upon their guard against be
lieving In any such nonsense as spe-
cities, which only tend TO mislead, and
may be productive of the greatest mis-
chief, by inducing belief III prevent
i've or cure, and so putting the owner of
the rabid animal of his guard.
In the horse the early symptoms con
sist IN restlessness, dilation Of the pu-
pills, spasmodic movement of the
angles Of the lip, depressed and anxious
countenance, sort of lnquring gaze,
suddenly, however, lighted up, and be
coming fierce and menacing from some
unknown cause, or at the approach of
a stranger; and III mares or stations
there Is evidence of active sexual ex-
element. As the disease developes
itself, there are cramps, commissions of
the limbs and different parts of the
frame, and intolerance of light. From
the congested and irritated state or
condition of the genito urinary organs,
there are more or less frequent at
tempts at stating, which in the adj
vanced stage of the disease Is often at
tended with severe stralnlng. The eye
Will occasionally wander after some i'm
aginary object There Is the paroxvs-
mai tendency to bite. but more gener-
ally attempts to run at and trample
down those who come in their way;
difficulty of swallowing, modified voice
when the animal attempts to neigh, and
partial paralysis of the hind extremi-
ties supervene The dread of water,
which the name hydrophobIa implies,
is not present; but III the advanced
stage of the disease, the horse may not
be able to swallow water. Later the
animal suffers from commissions. cannot
rise, and dies generally between the
third and sixth day. There is only one
disease in the horse with which rabies
can be confOunded, namely, inflammation
of the BRAIN (phrentisl, and III that the
absence of consciousness and III
milder cases. of fear, SO that no mortal
control whatever can be exercised.
marks it's nature, and clearly dis
tinguishes 1t from rabies, the victim to
which Is conscious to the last. and
though savage and violent III the ex-
treme, IS aware of the power of man.
and TO some eXteut under his influence.
The symptoms of hydrophobia in the
horse usually show themselves in from
two to eight weeks after the animal has
been bitten.
In cattle the symptoms somewhat re-
semble those exhibited by the horse.
The saliva of any rabid animal, of what
ever species 1T may be, viii communi-
cate the disease to any other animal
with whom it may come IN contact.
The general cause, however, of rabies
IN cattle is the bite of Il dog !; rabid
dog enters herd of cattle, and attacks
and bites several, especially if they re-
sist and fight the dog i'll return. The
symptoms observed are not immediate,
nor does the wound inflicted by the
rabid animal take an unhealthy action /;
it probably heals much As any other
ordinary slight wound or scratch would
do. The period of incubation, or the
time the poison remains III the system,
varies very much, seldom appearing
under ten days or fortnight, and oc-
casionally lying dormant as long as five
or SIX months. The symptoms of hydro
phobia III cattle are. an excited and wild
manner; they separate themselves from
the rest of The herd, and below Inces-
sanity. There is a discharge of saliva
from the mouth, and occasionally severe
tits of eXbitation come on, and they Will
run at everything within their reach
These fits are succeeded by stupor. the
eyes are half closed, and the brain is
evidently affected. The slightest noise,
however, will arouse the COW from her
half-unconscious state, and bring on a