Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-06-11
For the Star.l
A CHAPTER ON DOGS.

Their Diseases and Peculiafftfes-
Fatal Errors About HI ydrophobIa-
Symptoms of What
to Do and What Not to Do When
Bitten.
Dogs are subjected to great variety OF dis
cases. even In state OF nature, and much more
so when domesticated With man. Some writer's
claim that the canine race are afflicted with
almost as great variety OF diseases as man
himself. The most prevalent complaints are
asthma, blindness. sore eyes, cancer, collie,
cough, hts, 1n1amed lungs, mango and the
most terrible and fatal madness, or, to use
more modern word. hydrophobia. A writer
who presumes that he Is wen conversant with
this important subject, having attentively Oh
served curing Its Whole process more than two
hundred cases and GiSSected nearly hun
dred bodies OF dogs that died Of the malady,
tells some interesting facts about hydro
phonfa not generally known. There certainly
Is, says this writer, no disease more frequently
mentioned, none on which every one suppOseS
total ignorance prevails. Several causes con-
spire to render this the case. One is, that the
peculiar symptom which characteriZeS the
complaint brought On By the bite OF the mad
dog in the human subject has been applied to
the disease ofUte dog and has occas,oned 1t to be
called by the same name, hydrOpio5ta. This,
In the place, Is palpable miSnomer, for 10 no
Instance does there ever exist any dread OF
water; On the contrary, dogs are 10 general very
greedy for 1t. This. therefore. has led person,
into fatal error. IF been luIed into dan
dog was mad that would drink water.
ANOTHER EQUALLY FATAL IDEA
has existed relative TO this complaint which Is
that every mad dog must necessarily be wild an
furious; but so erroneous is this that Ia by far
thea greater number of instances there Is very
niue OF that wild, savage fury that is expected
evident that the term hydrophobia character
ling the disease OF the dog Is a misnoner. SO
IL is evident that the term madness Is equally
ever observed a total alienation of the mind:
In very few have the mental faculties been dis.
turbed. The disposition to do mischief Is
rather an increase irritabllity than absence OF
sense. for, In most instances, even tuose that
are furious, acknowledge the masters voice. and
are obedient.
Sportsmen distinguish
TWO KINDS OF MADNESS,
dumb asd raging; but the distinction Is not
very clear. The varieties In the disease are
numerous; 1t is hard to say what Is the
rrst SYMPTOM that appears. Mr.. Maynen,
OF sporting celebrity, says that loss OF appetite
is the first symptom. but other writer's py no
means consider II the fist; but certain pecult-
arity In the manner OF the dog; some
strange depart ure from Its usual habits; and In
this regularity cannot be laid zoo much stress
on, for 1t Is almost invariaole, and never falling
criterion OF the complaint. In great NUMBER
81.
position to pick up straws, bits OF paper, rags,
threads. or the smallest objects that may lie
on the floor; and this is industriously persisted
every small object: this peculiar ebaracteris Ie
is very common In smaller dogs; others
again show an early popularity by
licking the parts OF another dog; an
appears In many cases, IT being very common
to observe them licking cold iron, cold stones,
&c; an antlpathy to dogs and cats Is very cora-
monty observed, particularly to cats. This is
strange dogs; as the disease advances they do
not spare the dogs they are domestic ited VITA
and lastly the persons around; but, except In
attack human person. The irritabtlity that
induces them to bite is very strong, but devoid
or mlldneSS, or rather 1t is more like the
peevl aa ss OF child than fury In many In
obedience are observed during the first days OF
the disease; by degrees. however, he gently
snaps at persons. or runs at their feet, as
though In play, and Will not bite, but stick
held even in this stage Is sure to excite its
anger to degree, even against those he is most
fond OF. This Is almost certain symptom.
In most cases there Is
yERY TRBACHEROUs DISPOSITION
observed. A dog labofing under rabies. II
called, comes. wags his tail, shows every mark
OF fondness, permits himself TO be noticed and
pleased with attention, but on a sudden turns
ana snaps or 0'teS. Some make no noise
violent Inflammation OF the mouth and thr lat
produces total inability to bark; this, by
sp0r ismen, Is termed dumb madness bur
Whtre any noise Is made, which occurs In two
thirds OF the cases, this very noise forms the
truest character Of the disease. 1t consists in
a very remarkable short howl, or heightened
bark. for 1t paTtakes OF both, and when once
heard 1t can never be forgotten or mistaken
1t Is generally made with The head held up i'm
the air. There is great distress apparent In
the countenance. with a quick anxious look
the eyes always red, frequently so inhamed as
to produce matter, ana the sight In some in
s'aLces becomes deceptive and the animal snaps
about In the mouth gnawing at boards, chains
and the vessel holding their food and water Is
sometimes taken up and shook to pieces. The
anxiety to escape is very remarkable trait
the disease; but the animal generally returns
home again unless hunted or worried
mad dog has a
PECULIAR ANXIETY TO PROPAGATE THE DISEASE
for he travels industrlously seeking objects TO
bite-horses, COWS, sheep, and dogs in particu-
lar. Having tired himself out he returns home.
1t Is said rabid dog will not turn out OF his
read 10 bite, but this can only apply to the last
stages OF the disease; for In the middle stage
when the dog Is strong and active he Is indus
tItousy seeking objects 70 blte-in fact it is mis-
sole pursuit In no instance is there any aver
S1On 10 water; cut, on the contrary, the fever
accompanying the disease makes the dog very
dry, and they are continually tapping, though
In some instances unable to swallow. The
Jul otIOu VI luc COilpIalLl Is FaTlOuS; 1C seldom
destroys before the third day. and few survive
beyond the seventh. The average NUMBER die
on the fourth or fifth day from the drst appear.
ance OF the disease.
THE SYMPTOMS OF HYDRoPHoBIA.
Another writer, Mr.. Daniel. thus briefly
states the symptoms OF madness: first the
Dog looks dull, shows an aversion TO food and
company, does not bark as usual, but seems TO
InuIIpuI; Is peeVish and apt TO bite strangers.
us ears ana TAI! QIop more than usual, and he
appears dfoWsyi afterwards he begins to Toll out
Ills tongue. anu roth at the mouth his eyes
heavy and watery; II not confined soon goes off
runs painting along with a detected air, and
enGeaVoTS 10 bite every living OBJECT II m aats.
II escapes being killed, seldom runs above + IN
or three days, when IL dies, exhausted with
heat, hunger and disease"
This mysterious disease, although known
from the days OF Homer and Aristotle has
never yet been cured or understood.
NO CURE. But sCGG ESTION,
About seventy five years ago, prominent
physician, discussing this important subject
published the following: 1--WE know OF no In.
stance OF the complaint being cured, nor have
We In any instance ever attempted anything OF
this kind. but we fiatteT ourselves that we have
been successful In bringing forward proven
tive We claim not the discovery OF this most
valuable and truly important remedy; we only
oy eXertion. rescued it from oblivion, and by
long course OF well conducted experiments,
Out OF more IMAM ninety animals, as horses,
sheep, swine. AID dogs, one only has gone mad
70 WHOM this remedy was administered aud
THIS failure did not occur under our OWL I'm
IeClate lnsIecIlon. TJi3 remedy was detailed
Dy Us as early as December. 1897, in the Nrdiea1