Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-04-07
Watch Your Dog-HYdrophobia.

Watch Your D0g-HYdrOphobia.
J A strange dog attracted the attentio
OF the citizens of MiddIebrook and vicin
ity about Feb. 24th. The peculiar man
ner in which he acted, by swapping OF
the slightest provocation, aroused sus
picion in the minds of some that ths
dog was mad, then attention was called
to the fact that the dog had been seen al
numerous places in the neighborhood an6
had bitten ormade attempts to bite every
dog he came in contact with, also some
people. At least dozen dogs have beer
reported to have been bitten and about
half that number of people. The dog was
killed on Feb. 26. Five OF six of the
dogs bitten, shortly afterwards became
sick. exhibiting very painful and distress
ing symptoms of highly nervous char
acter, evidently of some highly infectious
disease, which some of US supposed to be
hydrophobla, but yet there was great
diversity of opinion among the people.
However. one of the dogs under our OBJ
servatiOn was allowed to live for two
days, when the symptoms of the malady
became more apparent, exhibiting many
OF the symptoms which will afterwards
be mentioned, he rapidly grew worse.
when he was killed to be relieved of his
sufferings. Several of the other dogs
were afflicted similarly and were also
killed. One of the unfortunate persons
developed symptoms of hydrophobia and
died from the same disease. I will give
a brief history of the disease, with it's
cause and enumerate some of the more
common and prominent symptoms de-
Quoted from the best authorities on this
subject.
Hydrophobia, Rabies, Dyssa, Synonyms.
1t is an acute infectious disease. sup-
posed to arise spontaneously in the dog
family (dog, fox, wolf, &c., but trans
mlssible by innoculation to other animals
and man. We have the first accounts of
the disease ar far back as the fourth Gen.
tury B. g., and of its presence in Ameri-
ca IN the beginning of the eighteenth
century. 1t is more common in the tenn
nerate climates than in the tropics OF
arctic circles and more prevalent in the
spring and early autumn months than in
the extreme hot and cold months. The
cause is germ which attacks and abides
mainly IN the nervous tissues, substance
OF the brain, and marrow Of the spinal |,
column. Incubation varies in dog from
8 to "a days (Pasteur) in the majority 1t /
ends in from 20 TO so days. In man it is ]
more prolonged, in 60 per cent of cases ,
from Is to ga days, but quite frequently
symptoms do not appear until three or l
six months after the bite, and in some t
cases one, two OF more years. c
Three forms of hydrophobia are rscog-
nlzed. The furious, the paralytic and L
the lethaegic. The first symptoms are v
common to all and are of most impor-
tance, as if these are recognized the dog o
may be safely secluded OF destroyed be- l;
fore there is any disposition to bite First e
sick dog should always be suspected. d
In some cases there is unusual dullness
and apathy, in others great restlessness, B
watc6fumess and and nervousness, desire to tt
lick cold smooth objects, as S-stOne q y
piece OF metal or the nose of another dog. b
Sometimes an increased fondness for his
owner, though more commonly there is jt
change from formerly amiable temper W
TO morose, sullen, retiring, resentful ir
If social dog seeks seclu- o1
sion he should be watched. Barking a.
without object, constant moving, chang b.
ng his position is indicative. The rabied b
park OF howl which is often heard early in
S hoarse, low and muffied, partaking of Ii
'he nature of bark and howl together N
Uttered without closing the mouth, some w
ub their heads with their fore paws as or
t to dislodge an offending body from p
he mouth, others turn their head and to
yes as if following imaginary objects. eli
'lso have tendency to bite or rub the to
wound which is sensitive and swollen. co
The eyes are reddened, skin of the
is drawn into wrinkles and a in
vatery nose is noticed. This stage lasts ag
rom two to three days. Then follow W;
ng one or more of the above symptoms, M
it's of wicked fury came on alternating tn
till with quiet periods. The red con-
ested eye assumes fined stare, often fir
quint or roll the eyes as if following We
n object at which he sometimes snaps, gr
paroxysm is ushered in by increasing en-
neaslness, frequent change of position I'M
nd desire to escape, shown in rushing pr
the door or tugging at a chain. The vo
owl becomes more frequent, respect go
Or former companions and friends be- ed
1g lost, as the paroxysm increases yet
,r some time the voice of his master +,
scalls the suffering animal to some de- he;
rec of self-control. If free to escape AM
e expends his excitement in wander the
lg, biting dogs or other animals that onl
,me in his way. w,
The intervals of quiet are alternated in
18th prostration proportional to the ant
olence of the previous paroxysm. pul
witching of muscles Or even general bri
'nvulsions are sometimes seen. dis
In few days the furious stage merges dis
ito the paralytic, shown by swaying tle'
otions in walking and then by pa ELL
llysis of the lower Jaw, which hangs en-
sndant and allows escape OF viscid 1t
lliva, hanging in strings from the ten
'rners of the mouth. In this stage apr
le animal is much emaciated and the
eakened, he may at first arise on his latl
re limbs when disturbed, but sinks VIII
Jain to the ground, there is now lit- for,
danger of bite. In the Iethargic Col
rm dogs manifest neither furious use
adness nor paralysis, but the nervous yea