The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-08-27
HYDROPHOBIA.
A Valuable and Interesting Article
on the Subject.
BY W. r. HENRY.

have the time to consult the DOCKS
touching the points presented at the
head of this '.icle. l have therefore
concluded to write the following paper
collated and condensed from the
highest scientific authorities on the
subject, principally using their very
l.: ngauage.
On the day named, yellow dog
from the country, that had attacked
various persons and animals thirteen
miles from Henderson the afternoon
before, arrived in our town about
eight o'clock in the morning, and in
the distance of two miles, snapped at
and bit not less than six persons, and
several animals without proyocation
of any kind, and when finally pursued
and killed, though shot two or three
times, and beaten with sticks, he made
no noise or in any way exhibited phys
ical pain.
Rabies is a virulent djsea,e developed
primarily in and peculiar to the
canine species. l. occurs also in other
carnivorous animals as the fox, wolf,
hyena, jackal, raccoon, badger, rat,
squirrel and skunk. But is thought
to be original only with the dog.
1t is communicated by incubation
to nearly, if not all, warm FLOODED
Creatures.
Rabies has been known from the
very earliest times in almost all the
countries of the earth.
| 1t is Oh the increase in Europe and is
we'll known on the American continent,
frequent and fatal in India. In Dca-
mark, Norway, Russia and Lapland
it has often appeared in epizootic
form. 1t is unknown in Australia,
Newzealand and East, South and West
Africa. 1t almost unive' sally terml-
mates in death though instances of re-
covery are recorded. Also fatal 20
all animals but not to fowls.
SYMPTOMS.
There are two forms of the disease.
| 1, Furious Rabies and 2, Dumb
Rabies.
| The dog at first becomes dull and
gloomy and seeks to hide beneath
old chairs and in odd corners. But ia
its retirement 1t cannot rest uneasy,
| hdgety, it lies down and Jumps up and
down in an a3itated manner, and
commences to move about again. 1t
then retires to the iur:he- conner and
hurdles itself into a heap, with its
head beneath its fore paws. This state
of agitation is so different from its
ordinary habit that it should receive
attention. Sometimes there is evinced
a disposition to gather up straws and
other articles of like character and
to carry them away or collect them
into some isolated spot, also dis
position to lick cold substances such as
iron and glass. There is no disposition
to bite at this stage and the animal obeys
the voice of its master, but not SO
readily as before nor with such PHYSICAL
These symptoms gradually become
more marked. The dog is necessarily
on the move, scratching the ground,
shifting in corners, at doors, as if seek
ing for something. 1t INDUCES in
strange movements as if affected by
Authorizations, os if watching some
thing, then it will suddenly dart forwa ID
and snaps at the vacant air, another time
it will throw itself yelling and furious
against the wall as if it heard voices
on the other side. The animal is still
submissive to the masters voice but
the saliva is already virulent and the
excessive affection it shows at this
time by licking the hands of those it
loves is very dan, nc S should there
be a wound or abrasion. Until very
late period the voice of the master
still has powerful control.
When it has escaped from all con-
troll and wauders erratically abroad
terocious and restless and haunted by
horrid phantoms the familiar voice
yet exerts its influence md it is rare
indeed that it attacks its master.
And here l pause to say that heard
Mr.. Jim Ball one of the best citizens
of Vance county, say the other day
when | spoke of the manner in which
a mad dog would leave home, he said
he knew case, in which the dog had
been absent several days, and on the
third day he returned the children
and parents gave him perfect ovation
hugging him and &c, but the dog
broke away from them and ran ou1
into an old field, had several spasms
and died, and Mr.. Eall says he is
satisfied that they leave home to KEEP
from biting those they love.
! There is no dread of water in the
rabied dog, though there is a popular
idea to the contrary; the animal is
generally thirsty and if water be offered
will lap it with avidity and swallow
it at the commencement of the disease
and when at late period construction
OF the throat renders swallowing diff.
+ cult, the dog will none the less en-.
deavor to drink.
So little dread has the rabied dog
of water that it will ford streams and
swim rivers when in the furious stage
. will do this in order to attack Other
creatures on the other side. The
evidence on this hand is overwhelming
At first the dog does not refuse to eat
but soon becomes fastidious and then
: depraved, eating little, part ofsthread:
wool, wood, grass. earth or whatever
may come in its way.
The mad dog does not foam at the
mouth to any great extent at first, but
1t soon becomes thick, viscid, and
S slutlnous, adhearing to the angles O
the mouth, foarces, and teeth.
1t is now that the dog is mos
violent, and attempts to detach the
saliva with its paws, and if afte,
r awhile it loses its balance in those at
, tennis and falls over thara ~, ~