Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-09-19

garding the Importation of dogs, cats
and other animals that are likely to
transmit the disease, are rightly ad-
hered to.
When infection occurs following the
bite of a rabid animal. no symptoms
are noted for a variable length of time.
depending upon the severity of the
bite, location of the wound, etc. An
infected wound on the head, neck and
face is Usually followed WITHIN short
err period by symptoms of the disease
than a wound on the hand or foot.
The period of time that elapses be-
tween the biting of the animal and the
development IN the individual, or Incu-
baton period, varies from ten days to
two years-the majority of cases &C.
curing before the end of three months
average time about Y days.
Although the animal may appear
healthy, he is capable of transmitting
the disease to human beings during ten
days Immediately prior to the appear
ance of the initial symptoms.
SYMPTOMS IN THE DOG.
The first noticeable change due to
rabies is marked by either a morose.
sullen or irritable condition. or by an
unusual affection and pIayfulness and
increased desire to be petted Fatal
infections of man have occurred during
this seemingly harmless stage.
I Rabies presents at least two clinical
types these are the ID excited or
furious rage" and the (2) paralytic
or "calm rage"
1t is essential to know that moditica-
ton of the two above types are often
met with, sometimes making it quite
difficult to render definite diagnosis
without microscopic test.
1t should be very good rule to fol-
low. to not render yourself liable to
exposure to any animal that is aiIing
unless you know absolutely the cause
of the ailment.
Later there is marked change IN
the voice to hoarse howl, followed by
an unequal series of barks. etc. A ra-
bid dog becomes restless, lying down
and getting up again repeatedly.
After one to three days this period
changes to one lasting usually from
three to five days. which, from the
suddenly occurring paroxysms, is es-
pecially characteristic of the raging
type" Here great inclination to
wander about and to bite is manifest
ed. The animal becomes angry with
out provocation, prone to bite other
animals or objects and passes on. He
shows no fright, but simply runs mad,
looks sick and emaciated, and appears
dlslnterested. Swallowing is difficult,
and, later in the disease, impossible.
Commissions may now appear and the
dog often dies IN one. A special fear
OF water does not exist. The sight of
water never throws them into fit, as
is popularity supposed. They will often
try to drink, which they may or may
not succeed in doing, simply depending
upon the stage Of the disease. Not in
frequently streams are crossed without
hesitation. The term, hydrophobia,
meaning dread of water, IS misnomer
and should be discarded, particularly
when applied tn lower ANIMALS. 1t is
only in the human being that dread of
water (hydrophobia) exists. Not only
the sight of any kind of liquids. but
even the mere mention of them will
serve to throw the person into convuI-
slons.
Mad dogs are not necessarily Wild
eyed or green eyed. nor do they run
along IN straight line and carry the
tail drawn down between the legs.
They NAV or may not howl or make a
noise on being struck. Very often
they will eat sticks, gravel, dirt, etc.
They some time will eat food up to the
very last. Not all mad dogs froth or
foam at the mouth. In fact, less than
half will manifest this symptom. Poi
soning (strychnine or arsenic) not in
frequently causes frothlng.
The second or parylitic stage pre-
sents symptoms equally characteristic.
The animal drags himself to a secluded
spot; the hind legs become paralyzed
first, followed closely by the muscles
of the jaw. Saliva drools from the
mouth and the dog Is unable to snap.
Spasms and commissions are very fire.
quent IN this stage. Intense thirst
comes upon the animal. but he is un-
able to swallow.
Invariably the unsuspectlng persons
Thinking the dog has a stick or bone IN