The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-08-06
SIGNS OF HYDROPHOBIA.


Results of DIR. Burdon Sanderson's OBJ
neutrality-suspicious. which Precede
and accompany the Disease.
The following remarks on hydro
pbobia, coming from 30 high an au-
thority as DIR. Burden Sanderson, may
merit attention
Persons are liable to be bitten by mad
dogs under two sets of circumstances
first, when a rabid animal escapes from
home and is at large; and secondly,
when dog not supposed to be in
fected is caressed by his 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 suspicion that the disease is
impending as that they should know
the Characteristic signs by which it may
be recognized when it has declared it.
self.
The premonitory indications of rabies
in q dog are derived almost entirely
from the observation of changes in its
demeanor consequently, although
they may be too trifiing to be noticed
by casual observer, they are fortu-
nately sufficiently striking to arrest the
attention of any one who is about a
dog, and is familiar with its habits and
individual peculiarities. A dog about
to become rabid loses its original liveli-
ness. It mopes about as il preoccu-
pied or apprehensive, and seeks to with
draw into dark corners. From the first,
there Is usually foreshadowing of that
~ af fhn 1icaooa
-depraved appetite. Mad dogs devour
filth and rubbish of every kind with
avidity. Along with this popularity of
behavior, it is of equal Importance to
notice that an infected dog from the
first snaps at other dogs without provo.
cation. This snappishness in most
dogs is very striking. If dog previ-
ously known to have no such habit
snap indiscriminately at the first dog
it meets in the yard or the street, it is
probably not safe.
So far I have had in mind chiefly
what is to be observed in dogs tied
up or at home. A dog which is atlarge
is also to be recognized if in danger
Gus state by its demeanor. A healthy
dog in its progress along street or else
where shows at every step that its at
tention is awake to the sights and
sounds which 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 exception
already referred to-that it is excited
both by the sight and sound of an
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 it
localizes itself-the mouth and throat.
Attention is often drawn to the condi-
ton of the mouth in an animal supposed
to be healthy by the observation that it
tries to scratch the corners of its mouth,
as ii attempting to get rid of the ropy
mucus which is seen to be discharged
from it. sIn dogs that are tied up, it is
noticeable that the bark has entirely
lost it's ring, and acquires peculiar
hoarseness, which can be recognized by
the most unobservant. AS the disease
advances, the discharge increases, the
lower jaw hangs, as if paralyzed, and
the animal has evidently difficulty in
swallowing. Along with this there is
often loss ofipower in the hind limbs.
If now the dog be watched, the pecu-
liarities of behavior which have been
already noticed are seen to present
themselves in o much more marked
degree than before. 1t is observed,
first, that it is subject to paroxysms of
excitement, in which it makes often re-
peated efforts to bite or gnaw all objects,
such as woodwork, straw, ETC., within
its reach and, secondly, even during
the remissions its excitement is at once
renewed by the sight or sound of an
other dog.
1t may be we'll to note that the dis
ease occurs at all seasons that the mad
dog continues to recognize its master,
and to manifest pleasure when kindly
spoken to that it does not shun water;
and that, in many cases, from first to
last, the wild fury which is commonly
supposed to belong to the disease, is
ccnspicuously absent.
The most effectual means for check
ing the spread of hydrophobia are :
First: To circulate information on the
subject. Second To enforce existing
regulations as to licenses, and as to the
destruction of ownerless dogs. 1t is to
be regretted that the wise proposal OF
Mr.. Fleming, that short description of
the disease be printed on the back OF
each license, has not been adopted. The
disease originates, whether in man OF
beast, exclusively by contagion. The
carriers of contagion are the ownerless
dogs of large towns.
The writer of this, DR.. Burden San,
derson, is one of the most accomplished
psychologists in England. The article,
it is proper to say, was the result oi
consultation with other scientific men,