Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1884-10-25
HYDRoPHoBIA.
To the Chronicle:

the TENSE ignor lncc centrally tlLtt
prevails on the subject among those
who have not studied it-these taken
in connection with the fact that my
family has. recently had SO narrow
an escape and SO signal a deliver
ance froIn it, induces me to publish
the readiest means of its prevention
through its detection in animals that
may or may not be suspected of
being hydrophobic.
The first and most dangerous OF
these popular errors, perhaps be-
cause most generally credited, is
that the test to ascertain if IA dog is
mad is to offer him water, and If he.
drinks it, he is pronounced all right
and no further precaution Is taken.
This has occasioned more fatal
results than any other. There could
not be more dangerous faltacy, for
the exact reUerSe of this is true. All
hydrophobic animals oman includ-
|
but man is the only animal that
cannot drink water when in that
condition. For this reason it is
/ most unfortunate that the name
hydrophobia was ever given it, as
the name itself is misleading, "mad-
ness from water" being the litural
translation oft. 1f
The hydrophobic dog up to the
last stages of the disease will drink
water even more frequently and
freely than when in health. An
other fallacy is that dog when
suffering with this malady will not
obey or in any way heed his owner.
The contrary is true, the dog, long
after he is capable OF infiicting a
fatal bite, will come to and obey
his owner and will even exhibit his
usual affection for him.
| On this subject l cannot do better
than to quote from late edition of
the American Encyclopedia some
of the results of the close study that
scientists and observers have given
it.
@The first symptoms Of hydropho-
bia in the dog, as described by
| Yonatt and BOuley, consist in
gloomy aud sombre disposition, to-
gether with a nervous disquietude,
betrayed by frequent changes OF
position. He sulkS into his ken
mel, or a closet, or underneath
| ri aces of furniture, or corners OF the
enclosure. If called out he Obeys,
but slowly and unwillingly and
soon as possible betakes himself TO
! his retreat. In short time he Is
dissatisfied with it and leaves ii for
another. The expression Of his eye
is suspicious and uneasy.
The next sign of it is that the dog
has slight and temporary attacks OF
hallucination, thinks h hears
sound or sees an object Itch does
not exist. This sign is apt to be
overlooked by those who are not
veterinary experts. The dog sud
denly pricks up his ears and runs to
a particular spot, as if he had heard
a noise on the other side of door or
partition. Sometimes he will snap
at the empty air as if he were catch
| ing a fiy. Sometimes will stand
immOvable and attentive as if lis
t6ning or watching for something.
These signs are exceedingly import
ant and should redOUble the vigil
ance of those having charge Of the
/ animal and he should at once be
confined and closely watched. All
this time the animal may show no
disposition to bite. A rabid dog
often varies in this tendency accor-
ding to his individual character.
One naturally good tempered and
mild in disposition will frequently
refrain from biting until late in the
disease. Furthermore the same
dog will often show no tendency to
bite his master for whom he still
retains his natural affection, but
may at the same time be easily pro-
voked by stranger.
This circumstance forms one OF
the most insidiOuS sources OF danger.
Even the master is misled by find
ing the dog submissive as usual to
his Werd, and even Slight cOrrec-
/ ton, while second blow or threat
fleming gesture may be followed by
sudden and ungovernable attack on
the part of the animal and the in
Fiction of fatal wound
During all this period the rabid
dog has no horror of water, on the
contrary drinks frequently and later
on, when contraction of the fauces
renders swallowing difficult, he no
less endeavOrs to satisfy his thirst,
sometimes by plunging his muzzle
deeply under the surface of the
water. ....
Another symptom is, the natural
voice of the animal is altered. The
rabid bark is decisive. 1t is diff
cult to give an accurate idea of this
sound by mere verbal description,
but all agree that when once recOg-
nized it is conclusive. Instead of
the usual succession of explosive
sounds, equal in duration and inten-
sity, the bark is hoarse, lower in
tone, begins with Il single open bark
followed Immediately by three or
four diminishing hOwls from the
bottom of the throat, during,
which the jaws instead of closing
complete at each bark, are only
partly Appropriated to each other"
Finally the important symptoms
may be shown up thus:
1. An unaccustomed, gloomy and
suspicious disposition and express
ion of the eye, with nervous agita'
ton and restlessness. .-.---
2. Momentary attacks Of halluci'
nation as to sights and sounds.
3. An unnatural and depraved
appetite for indigestible, innutri
tious substances.
4. A peculiar and unnatural bark
3. A ropy and viscid condition o
the saliva, (the dog does not as i:
commonly supposed, "foam at the
mouth") with Dryness of nao,al
and .faucis.
6. An insane and aggressive ire
liability of temper, most easily excl
/, ted by the sight of other dogs ant
most probably at first excited only
by them.
The importance of this subject, il
nv excuse for occupying so much o