The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-18
CONSIDER THE DOC.
He Does Not Go Mad These Days
symptoms of Madness.
)ur Animal Friends.

Our Animal Friends.
Now, the very first observation we have
to make on this subject is that there are
no such days in the years calendar as
dog days There are no days on which,
and there is no kind of weather during
which, dog is peculiarly liable TO rabies;
Rabies is a rare disease at all seasons of
the year, and there are no more cases, of
rabies in July or August than in December
or January It follows therefore, that
there is no more reason to dread our fam
lily friend, the dog, in hot weather than in
phobia from his bite at one time of the
year than at another: The phrase dog
days is a false and misleading phrase
which all humane persons ought to avoid
in The interest of the dog.
We have said, and We repeat, that hy-
drophobia is one of the rarest of dis
eases and that when it appears to be de-
veloped we believe it, in the vast majority
of cases, to be a simulated disease pro-
duced by a morbid imagination. We do
not go SO far as to assert that 1t is never
caused by the bite of a rabid animal, and
therefore we would advise that all proper
care be taken to destroy. without delay. all
animals that are affected with rabies Yet,
here again, we must rec recall the fact that hat
diseases with which dogs and other ami
mails are affected. When We hear the cry
of Mad dogr" the chances are millions to
pie who are mad with terror.
In the thirty years since the American
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals was established our officers and
agents have been constantly on the outlook,
but no undoubted case of rabies has ever
fallen under their observation or within
their knowledge, and of over 10000 dogs
and other small animals which have been
cared for at our shelter during the past
three years not one single case of rabies
has been found These facts sufficiently
prove that rabies is rare in this city and IN
this State, but there is such disease ana
it is important for the public, as we'll
as yourself, that you should know whether
a sick dog is or is not rabid. If you will
note the following facts you will have no
difficulty. You will probably find them to
be quite different from the popular fancles
by which most persons are misled
First-It is supposed that a mad cog
breads water. 1t is not So Inc mao dog
is likely to plunge his head to the eyes In
water, though he cannot swallow 1t and
second-ft is supposed that a mad dog
runs about with evidences of intense eX-
element. 1t is not so. The mad dog never
runs about in agitation he never gallops;
he is always alone, usually in a strange
place, where he joys along slowly. IT he Is
approached by dog or man he shows no sign
Of excitement, but when the dog or man
is near enough he snaps ana resumes MS
solitary trot
growls that dog is not mad. The only sound
a mad dog is ever known to emit is hoarse
howl, and that but seldom. Even blows
will not extort an cutlery from mad dog.
Therefore, if any dog, under any circum-
stances utters any other sound than that
of a hoarse howl, that dog is not mad.
Fourth-It is supposed that the mad dog
froths at the mouth 1t is not so. IL dog 5
Jaws are covered or fiecked with white
froth that dog is not mad. The surest of
all signs that dog is mad is a thick and
ropy brown mucus clinging to his lips.
which he often tries vainly to tear away
with his paws or to wash away with water
Fifth-If your own dog is bitten by any
other dog watch him carefully. If he is
infected by rabies you will discover signs
of ii possibly in from six to ten days. Then
he will be restless, often getting up only
to lie down again. changing his position
impatiently, turning from side to side, and
constantly licking or scratching some par
ticular part of his head, limbs or body Ha
viii be irritable and INCLINED to dash at
other animals, and he will sometimes snap
at objects which he imagines to be near
him. He will be excessively thirsty, tapping
water eagerly and often Then there Will
be glanduar swellings about his Jaws and
throat and he will vainly endeaVor 10 ria
himself of a thick, ropy, mucous discharge
from his mouth and throat II he can he
will probably stray away from home and
trot slowly and mournfully along the high
way or across country, meddltng with
neither man nor. beast, unless they APP
proach him. and then giving a single snap.
The only exception to this behavior occurs
in ferocious dogs which, during the earlier
stage of excitement, may attack any living
object in sight.