Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-10-27

part of the animal. and the infllctiOn o
q fatal wound. During all this period
furthermore, and also during the entire
course Of the disease, there is no hydro
Dhobla In the strict sense of the word
The rabid dog has no horror of water, and
he does not refuse to drink. Ga the con-
trary, he drinks frequently, and when
the disease being fully established, tie
construction of the fauces renders de-
glutition difficult, he no less endeavors to
satisfy his thirst, sometimes by plunging
his muzzle deeply under .he surface Of
the water. No single error In regard to
the disease IS more unfortunate than this;
for when a dog drinks, the bystanders
conclude that he is not hydrophobic,
and consequently overlook the other
symptoms which might indicate the ma
ture of the malady The Tab;d dog does
not at first refuse his natural food, but
soon ceases to take it with his accustomed
relish. An important sign, however, is
an unnatural or depraved appetite. The
animal gnaws and even swallows all
kinds of indigestible substances. Pieces
of wood. bits of stone, furniture, clothing,
the stnffing of cushions, leather, horse
dung, and even his own excrements, are
torn, gnawed, and swallowed. This is
always a very suspicious circumstance.
Some dogs are habitually mischeveus in
this respect, but even thew ouly injnre or
destroy these substances; And partic-
ularly the disposition, manifesting itself
IN an animal to whom it is not habitual,
and who is also evidently sick from some
cause or other, should always put bis
owners upon their guard. Another
symptom is now to be spoken of which
is decisive and pathognomonic, namely,
the rabid bark. 1t is difficult to give an
accurate idea of this sound by mere verbal
description; but the best authorities all
agree that, when once recognized, it is
entirely conclusive. The natural voice OF
the animal is altered. Instead of the usual
succession of explosive sounds, equal IN
intensity and duration, it is hearse, yeiied
lower in tone, and begins with a single
omen bark. followed Immediately by three
or four diminishing bowls from tie
bottom Of the throat, during which the
laws. instead Of closing completely at each
bark. are only partly Appropriated 10
each other. Prof. Bouley says that both
he and his pupils have been able to recog-
nize distinctly the rabid dog by his bark
alone. when the animal was not yet ID
sight. and was still at the Otherextremity
of the courtyard of the Abort veterinary
school. The saliva is at first increased
in abundance but this symptom is OF
short duration, lasting, according to
Youatt. not mere than - hours, and IS
never so abundant as in the profuse
salvation which attends al attack Of
epilepsy, a malady very commoa IN dogs
but perfectly harmless. The true saliva
ton of bydrophoba consists in asecretion
of saliva which isscanty, but vlscld and
ropy, and which the animal endeavors 10
clear away from the mouth by the aid OF
his paws. This often gives the idea that
he is annoyed by a bone accidentally
lodged in his teeth and fatal accidents
have happened from attempting to aid
the animal to get rid of the supposed
annoyance. This preliminary period Of
the disease ray last 70. one or two days.
Now, however, comes the second and fully
developed stage of the disorder cbaraett
rized by sudden parOxysms of fury, The
true rabies or canine madness. A very
characteristic and important fact Is thai
an animal in this condition is especially
excited by the appearance of one OF hi
own species. Tie sight of another dol
drives him into an excess of sudden arc
imneasursble fury, followed by al
immediate and aggressive attack. This
often happens while he is still inotfensiy
toward other animals, and PARTICULAR,
toward his master. Bot it is sign tina
the full development Of bis disorder is a
hand. and in an hour or two afterwar'
he may snap at every bystander indis
criminately, in the blind insanity OF hi
excitement. AC this time, or even at a
earlier period, be often disappears fror
home, problbly with the instinct o
finding some more solitary place in whic
TO hide. Bat meeting constantly wit
new sources of irritation, and his mel
vous excitabillty increasing at the sam
time. be becomes more furious, haggart
and threatening with every hour. He
now at the height Of the disease. Wander
ing along the streets or open highways
with head and tail dropping, his hide din
ordered aud dusty, the ropy saliva hang
Ing IN blIluR5 liOul ulo "pSh J""Nf wv.
man and animal that be encounters pro
vokes him to fresh attack. After "a 0
36 hours of this continuous excitement
without food or rest. and IN cessantly upo
his feet. exhaustion begins TO come on; hi
motions are less vigorous, his steps groV
yacillatiug and irregular, and he no longe
leaves the direct pa'h. and offers violenc
only TO those whom he unayoldably meet
At last if not pursued and killed, a ger
eral paralysis takes possession OF hi
system. apd be dies exhausted by tie il
tensity and continuance of the neryou
agitation. The entire duration OF III
malady in the dog, from the first signs
disordercd health until its fatal termini
ton. is from two to six days. No distin(
morbid change in any of the intern'
ORGANS has ever been found after dealt
either il the dog or in map, which coul
be regarded as the pathological cause
this singular disease. Finally the I'm
T portaut symptoms of commencing hydr'