The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1874-07-18
Mad Dogs.

{, III Tue COluuluS VI tue LOuuOu 1lHicS' /.
TO tie Editor ofthc Times:
Sir-Dnring the last few months an
unusual number Of dogs have been
affected with hydrophobia in the
metropolis, as we'll MS in other parts Of
y fhe United Kingdom. From the cir
cumstance 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 prevalent.
AS the danger to the public which
arises whenever this is the case, however
( horrible in itself, is one which can be
avoided by the possession of the requisite
information, it is clearly desirable, even
at the risk of exciting alarm in the
minds Of few, sensitive persons, that
such information should be com
munieate d for the general good. have,
therefore, put down in AS plain words j.,
MS possible what appear to me to be the
most useful criteria for the recognition
of rabies in tie dog. In doing so
have been assisted by tho experienced
veterinary surgeon of the Brown Inst
{ tuition, Mr. Dusuid, and by my friend
Mr.. Hunting, of Derby street, Mayfair
who has paid special attention t, the
1 disease. / have also the advantage of
writing with an actual case under my
observation.
Persons are liable TO Il. bitten 81
mad dogs under two sets of circum
stanccs-frst, when rabil animal
escapes from home and is ut large and
secondly. when dog not suppose to
he infected is caressed by its master or
those who have to do with it at home
Consequently, it is quite,as important
hut the pnblio should be aware ofthose
slight Indications which aff,r,l ground
for suspicion that the disease is impcnd
ing ns that they should know the char
acteristic signs by which it MY be
recOyniztd when it has declared itself
The prenonitory indications of rabies
in dog arc derived almost entirely
from the observation Of changes in its
dcmcapor consequently, although they
may be too trihing to be noticed hy u
casual observer, they are, fortunately
sufficiently striking TO arrest the atteu
tion Of any tne who is about dog aud
is familiar with its habits and individual
pcculiarities.
A dog about to become rabii loses it's
natural liveliuess. 1t mopes about y. if
preoccupied or apr rehcnsve, aud seeks
to withdraw into dark corners. From
the first there is usually foreshadng
of that most constant symptom Of the
disease-depravcd appetite. Mad dogs
not only devour filth aud rubbish of
every kind with avidity, but even their
own excrement-- often Immediately after
it has been passed. Indications of this
tendency appear early, and are more
than suspicious.
4f Along with this popularity of be
hasior it is of equal Importance to notice
that an infected dog, from the first,
anaps ut other dogs without provocation.
~ This snappishncss in most dogs is very
striking. If q dog previously known to
have no such habit snaps indiscriminate
ay at the first dog it meets in the yard
4 or in the street, it is probably not safe
2 SO far l have had in MUD chiefly
what is to be observed in dogs tied up
'or. at home. A dog which is At largs is
also TO be recognized as in dangerous
state by its demeanor. A healthy dog
in its progress along street or else
where shows at every step that its atten
tion is awake to the sights and sounds
which it encounters. The rabid dog,
tn.the CONTRARY, goes .sullcnly and
unobservantly forward, and is not di
verted by objects obviously likely to
attract it. This statement, however, is
subject to tho important exception al
ready 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 tho disease tho most