Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-09-20
THE MAD DOG.
DIFFERENT STAGES OF RABIES

The most terrible disease the dog commune
Gates to man is hydrophobia, and in order to
avoid such catastrophe, it is not only neces-
sary to shun its companionship, but to under
stand the symptoms which indicate the malady.
Rabies In the dog, like hydrOphObia of man. is
dlvlsiole into three stages-first second and
third. The first stage dates from the reception
OF the bite to the commencement of the active
symptoms of the effect of the presence of the
virus, and is known as the time of incubation.
me second stage commences with the charac
terlsflc symptoms of the disease, and termi-
mates in visible failure of the vital powers to
resist the force of the poison, and is recognized
as the period of recrulesence The third stage
begins with the confirmed symptoms of the
disease, Is attended with increasing exhaustion,
and always terminates in death.
THE FIRST STAGE.
This stage has nothing remarkable connected
with 1t. The wound inflicted by the rabid ami
NAL goes on to heal and in due time becomes
WELL leaving a scar to indicate the spot at which
the tooth entered the skin or hide. The duration
OF this stage is exceedingly unsettled. and varies
from three weeks to nine months, and the prob
ability is, that if the dog does not go mad within
this time he will not be affected at ALL and that
he was either not inOculated, or his nature was
proof against the virus-fOr all dogs are not
alike susceptible to the poison, and the blood of
some OF them will refuse it at one time and re-
cumstances. While this is true of the inferior
animals, it is also applicable to the human SUBJ
Ject, and the manner of the infection of the bite,
in almost every instance, determines the intru-
sion or non-intrusiOn of the virus into the
wound. For example, If one hundred indiyid-
uals were bitten by rabid dog through
one or two articles of clothing the chances would
be highly in their favor that not one in twenty
five OF this number would be inOculated; but if
the same number We're bitten in the face or
hon !, L. ~
not more than One-half would receive inOcula-
ton and die Of hydrophobia. while the other half
would escape without any other Inconvenience
than that of the dread Of the disease. The ex-
PLANTATION is that the virus is wiped from the
tooth while passing through the hair of the
orute and the Clothing of the human and that
all animals OF the same species are not alike sus-
ceptible to the disease. This fact affords relief
to those who are labOring under apprehension of
the disease and indicates to those who handle
raold dogs and hydrophobic patients to be very
cafelul not to approach either without having
the nands well protected by stout gauntlets.
THE SECOND STAGE.
This stage is called the period of rec,7desence
because the scar becomes raw-sore and opens
afresh. giving rise to thin watery discharge
from it. The dog indicates this condition by
eagerly licking or gnawing the seat of the bite
lnflcted weeks or months BEFORE and which had
for long time been healed. but now growing
SO hot and painful the dog is forced to gnaw
and lick it in order to relieve his distress
This is the actual beginning of the disease and
accompanying this condition of the scar there is
very evident change in the natural or usual dis
position of the dog. He becomes dull and sui
len, and does not meet with his wOnted
familiarity the caresses of his owner If united
ne VIII seek quiet and hide himself in some
secret place. and will not be induced to leave it.
by either offers of food or advances of kindness
AT TINS period he steadily refuses to eat and if
undisturbed. he will lie quietly until the dis
tresslng feeling about his nostrils and throat
drives him to seek water to appease his thirst.
IL ne obtains water he usually laps it with
avldity, and it seems impossible for him
to allay his eager desire for it. If he cannot
get to water he will lick the surfaces
OF such cold substances as he may find,
in order to relieve the heat of his mouth,
II confined, he will be restless and constantly
changing his position to rid himself of the light
and sound about him. Restraint adds much to
ms distress and often makes him more violent
than he would be if allowed to seek the posi-
lions which his instinct indicates. His whole ap-
pearance shows him to be very uncomfortable,
ana MS gaze bears all the marks of intense sus-
plcion. he regards all that goes on about him
with a fixed expression, evidently fearing that
every movement is intended for his injury. All
MS senslblllties are acutely aroused. and this
eXcitation makes him irritable and indis-
posed I"s. to be disturbed. These symptoms
are succeeded by others more violent and con-
OF the disease. The dogs aspect is
now lean and distressed. His TANKS are hollow
and heaying, and he stands in a stiffened posi-
ton, with his ears and tail dropped His nose
is kept almost on line with his BODY and his
eyes glare and glsten with preternatural
herceness. His eyelids are stretched wildly
open, presenting to view fully half of the
globes OF the eyes. The muscles about his face
occasionally twitch and his lips are slightly
separated, showing partially his teeth. through
which issuesin a fOam-lke manner. thick. white
and tenacious saliva, which, collecting upon
the hair about his mouth. gives him
a very dangerous and revolving expression IF
ne is unconfned and is now approached with q
stick or whip, he shows no disposition to attack.
II naturally of tractable temper, but will get
rapidly out of the way, making his exit at the
nearest point of egress, and makes off at a
smart pace, rarely biting objects, unless in his
way. His condition is now very an
parent and soon the cryOf ''mad dog" follows
him and he is despatched in the most summary
manner. These symptoms last about twelve
hours. and if the dog is allowed to live, they
are succeeded by those of a more aggravated
character. The general emaciation increases
and the loss OF vivacity is perfect. His appetite
becomes depraved, and not knowing what he is
doing, he tries to devOur the dirt and filth that
may be about him. He is sometimes deliriOus,
and is in constant agitation and uneasiness.
and often makes violent attacks upon real and
imaginary objects. If he attempts to bark or
howl, his voice is internal. strained and hoarse:
and is marked by popularity unknown to any
other disease of the dog. While sitting or stand
ing, he elevates his nose. and utters the pecu-
liar sound of rabies. 1t is the natural bark.
abruptly terminating in painful and singular
howl five or eight notes higher at its ending than
at its commencement. The sound once heard is
never forgotten, and those familiar with it can
instantly tell by it that the dog is mad. The
frothy secretion about his teeth is succeeded bv
a tough fluid, which he endeavOrs to rid himself
OF by constant paving at the corners of his
mouth While doing this he sometimes tumbes
over on his side and his efforts to regain his
feet give rise to the expression 'that he has had
a fit;" but this is not sO-the rabid dog does not
have fits during this stage of the disease. 1t is
only during the last moments of his existence
that commissions sometimes come on and at once
terminate its life.
THE THIRD STAGE.
The period Of exhaustion now sets in. and the
dryness and heat of the mouth is most intense.
and produces such an intOlerable thirst that the
DOG, when near water, will plunge his nose into
II ana endeayOr by fruitless efforts to drink:
put the loss of the use Of the muscles of his
Jaws prevents his swallowing, and very little
water passes his throat. His breathing becomes
quick and labOred, and his weakness steadily
increases. He loses control over the muscles of
his lower jaw, and it hangs down leaving tho
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