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��HYDROPHOBIA, OR RABIES.
��the thought, will throw the patient into the most violent paroxysm, in which he motions his attendants to remove from his vision everything of a liquid nature. A slight touch, or even a single breath of air, will often excite formidable spasms, occurring every minute and lasting a few seconds. Breathing now becomes hur- ried, and anxiety is depicted in his coun- tenance. The whole muscular system, at this stage, is involved in violent con- vulsions. Delirium and hallucination supervene, the patient often exhibiting the wildest mania, talking irrationally and incoherently; but intervals of rest occur, when the patient often evinces the greatest love for his friends and relatives, admonishing them to watch his move- ments, lest they should become injured by him during his insane moments. Al- though the patient may make snapping movements with his jaws, they never exhibit the characteristics of the animal from which the poison was received. The saliva, which has been gradually in- creasing in the mouth, now becomes so abundant and tenacious that it is ejected right and left. These symptoms usually increase until death closes the horrid scene.
Symptoms in the Dog. — You first notice a changed condition in his deportment, becoming restless and sullen, travelling or changing his position constantly. He may be very affectionate, licking the hands of his master with more than usual fervor, or a condition directly op- posite, being exceedingly irritable and easily aggravated. A disordered appe- tite usually shows itself very early, the dog loathing food, or if taken, it is vom- ited in a short time. Again, he will eat indigestible substances, as hay, rags, straw, dirt, leather, etc. This symptom is present in a great proportion of cases, and is a very important one. The eyes are very much inflamed ; the nose dis- charges freely of its secretion. The seat of the bite is licked and scratched. These early symptoms may be entirely want- ing, thus throwing people off their guard. The second or violent stage usu- ally continues from forty-eight to ninety- six hours. Here we have paroxysms of rage, in which the animal bites at vari-
��ous objects. Food is loathed, and a de- cided change in the bark is manifested. Efforts are made to break away if the an- imal is confined, and when loosened he wanders over a great extent of country in a very short time. If he returns home, he is shy and suspicious. If the dog be chained, and any hard object be present- ed, he bites at it with great ferocity. These paroxysms of rage are succeeded by an interval of quiet in which the ani- mal is quite docile. This interval may be several hours in duration, during which period the mental aberration may disappear or become greatly diminished. Dogs, as a rule, are not affected like man when water is given them. In only rare instances does water produce spasms. In many cases, suffering from hydropho- bia, dogs drink and splash in water with great avidity. The third stage, or stage of paralysis, now supervenes. The par- oxysms of rage have become weaker and weaker until the poor animal is unable to walk, and drops clown like one intoxicat- ed. He now lies curled up, unable to raise himself except on his fore-legs, and then only when disturbed. Extreme emaciation is now present, and the dog has become a shadow of his former self. His entire appearance has become unnat- ural. The convulsions now may be com- plete or partial, and death takes place on the fifth or sixth day. The development of the disease is not always thus. From fifteen to twenty per cent, of the animals from the first are sullen and depressed. There is less excitement, and less dispo- sition to wander. away. The disposition to gnaw and bite is diminished. The lower jaw is paralyzed, and consequently there is an inability to close the mouth.
Frothing at the mouth is a character- istic symptom in this form of the disease. The remaining course of the disease is the same as in the other form.
Treatment. — We will suppose you have been bitten, what course shall you pur- sue to prevent the poison from being ab- sorbed? First, suck the wound thor- oughly yourself, or, if the position will not admit, it must be done by some oth- er person. This is certainly one of the most successful methods, and should be continued for twenty minutes, or an
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