Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1910-01-20

By Dr. W. II. Sharpley.
ABOUT HYDRoPHoBIA


The idea that the bite OF a dog
will cause hydrophobia should that
dog at any subsequent period 20
mad is de,us on. Still there are
a great many people who believe IL
Of dogs reported mad, some have
only suffered from epilepsy, con
vuls Cns. or colo, while OF those
bitten by the really mad dog. some
have sustained simple bruises W ith
out any real abrasion; 10 other cases
the teeth have been wiped clean by
passing through thick wool, hair,
or clothing, or even the flesh @:
other animals just bitten. 1t is q
dangerous delusion to suppose tba,
mad dogs have a dread OF water,
that they will not eat or drink, that
they froth sbundantly from the
mouth, and that they run with the
tail dropping between the hind
limbs. The rabid dog drin ks freely
n the early stages of the disease.
later. he still laps, and even plum
ges his nose in water. though often
unable IN swallow. The appetite is
not entirely lost. though greatly i'm
paired aud usually depraved, all
sorts OF unsuitable. noxious and
disgusting objects being picked up
and swallowed with avidity. Froth-
ing from the mouth is exceptional ia
rabies, and the flow OF saliva Is
psralyzed and pendant.
Carrying the tail between the legs
is symptom Of all diseases attend
ed by abdominal pain, and is by no
means constant in rabies. During
the paroxysms the tail is usually
Carried erect. There have been four
or Eve cases OF rabies in dogs in
Denver lately. This has been pro
ven absolutely by the bacteria 'ogist
10 Ft. Collins, where the carcasses
OF the animals were sent. There
may have been other clses which
are uncertain simply from lack OF
proof. On the other hand there
have been several dogs killed sup
poSedly mad, in which there were
no symptoms whatever, aud il is 70
eliminate a scare that this article is
written. The POLICE surgeons oil
this city have treated thousands OF
dog bites without one fatal result.
and the only genuine case OF HYDRO
phohia in this city occurred bout IL
years ago. This alone shows how
rare the disease is.
Hvdrophophobia is morbid dread
Of hydrophobia, or a condition simu.
Iating il due to fear of the disease.
This disease which is recognized by
the medical profession throughout
the world, and when a scare comes
the disease does more damage than
hvdrOphobia.
The premOnitnry SYMPTOMS Of a
rabid dog are by far the most impor-
tant, as II these are rpcogrized the
dog nav he safely secluded or dos.
trnved before there is a disposition
to bite. Anv sudden change in a
dog habits or instincts is grour d
for suspicion. ia natur llv Quiet
dog flies into a violent passion al the
sight of another dog. and attempts
TO bite it. be should be carefully
watched. II a social dog seeks Sc
cluSion and darkness. he is To be-
SUSPECTED. Barking without object.
constant moving, searching and
scraping, a disposition to tear wood
etc, 10 pieces. and above all, an alb
sence from home for a day or two
are also suspicious. Some rub the
chops with the forepaws as TO dis
lodge an offending body from the
mouth, others turn the head and
eyes as il following imaginary OBJ
jects, ard snap at them. Finally a
tendency to bite, rub or gnaw the
wound is 81 gnificant, and usually
draws attention to the fact that the
wound, long healed. is still red,
sensitive and swollen, the eyes are
usually congested.
This stage lasts from a bali 20 two
OF three days, and Is followed by
the paroxysmal stage. The red ewes
assume fixed stare, often squiut
or roll as il following an imaginary
Object. II free 10 escape the dog
will make long journeys, and flying
at every animal or man be meets,
especially il they increase his ex.
citement by any noise or outcry.
In the course of two or three DAYS
the furious sage merges into the
paralytic one first shown by pare
sis OF the bind extremities, and a
swaying motion in wa king, then
hy paralvsiS NJ tho Inuar i,r To