The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-04-12
HYDKOPHOBIA.

A LARGE black dog, apparently cross be-
tween Newfoundland and spaniel, sup
posed to have hydrophobia, was killed In
public street in jackson, on Wednesday,
not, however, until he had bitten cali,
and probably more than a dozen dogs.
There can be no doubt that the animal was
hydrophobic.
Although this disease is rare in the human
subject, yet it is so appalling in its symp-
toms, and SO invariably fatal, that every
procaution that prudence can1ssuggest'
should be taken to guard against it.
As the dog is much more susceptible to
this disease than the human subject, it fol-
lows that they much oftener become Lydro-
phobic from the bite of q rabid animal. In
fact, large proportion of the dogs thus
bitten have the disease. After dog is bit
ten, he should instantly be confined and
isolated, and carefully watched until all
danger has passed But as very large
proportion of dogs bitten by rabid animal
actually have the disease, by far the wisest
and safest course is have a dog killed as
soon as it is known he has been bitten by
hydrophobic dog. This is best for another
reasvn-that the disease is insidious, and
easily mistaken for other affections in its
early stages, and often fatal bite is lntliCt-
ed before the dog is suspected of rabies 1t
is only in its subsequent stages, that this
terrible disease manifests its true character
and even then, ignorant persons may
often mistake it.
There ara three popular errors existing
among the generality of people, in regard
to this diease First, that rabid dog has
a repugnance to water. Second, that the
disease is peculiar to hot weather, and,
third, that the dog always manifests a saw
age or aggressive tendency. These things
are not necessarily true. He is consumed
by q constant thirst and high fever, and will
often plunge his muzzle in water, and often
drinks water. Hydrophobia is not caused
by hot weather, and is not more prevalent
in summer than in winter.
For two or three days dog may have
this disease, and all this time show no dis
position to bite; and mild tempered and
amiable dog may not show any tendency
to bite until very late in the disease, just
before the final stage of exhaustion that
ends in death. 1t sometimes happens
that the master finding him submissive
and gentle, though evidently ill, suspects
nothing until, on some sudden provocation
in moment of irritability, he inficts IA
tai bite
Ordinarily in the second stage all doubt
is removed by the appearance of the fol-
lowing symptoms: The dog is in constant
motion; leaves his home and seeks the
streets and highways; runs or trots with
curious movement, with his tail down and |
head lowered and detected, swapping at
,very animal or person he encounters, be-
ng especially excited by the presence OF
LuOpuCl uOBJ no OAtCh AAoo " pSSNA'eA AO"Ap>
owling bark, lower than the natural tone,
nd has a secretion of ropy saliva which
angs from his mouth. These symptoms
airy more or less in different cases, but
re generally present
In the errly stages of the disease there is
tendency to gnaw and eatsticks, dirt, etc,
ut as this may accompany other ailments
lat dog flesh is heir to, it is not, alone, in
icative of hydrophobia.
The important and serious fact, however, 6
that the disease is often so insidious, 6
lat long before it is suspected fatal
ound may be inflicted.
There is no absolutely safe plan as pre- /;
measure, but to kill dog as
ION as it is known that he has been bitten 7
7 hydrophobic dog. n
If the proper precautions are not taken J.
3 may have in the course of q week or
70 a half dozen dogs repeating in the :
reefs the performance of last Wednesday. !.