Symptoms

The wound from the bite of a rabid animal heals very readily, being but rarely accompanied by inflammation.

The period of incubation, or development of the disease, is variously estimated by different authors; in the majority of cases it lasts from three to five weeks. The two extremes in a dog which have been reported aro the shortest one week, the longest eight months.

Rabies assumes two forms; the violent, and the dumb or sullen. Hertwig has said that two cases rarely correspond. From this it can bo appreciated that an accurate description of a disease presenting so many varieties and depending on so many influences, such as age, temperament, condition, etc., is no easy task.

The violent or furious has been divided by some authors into three stages; the melancholic, irritative, and paralytic.

At the outset of the disease the animal manifests a changed manner, becoming irritable, sullen, and nervous; his disposition towards those around him is capricious; to his master he is often even more friendly and confiding, but from others, of whom he seems suspicious, he shrinks, and is easily enraged by their interference. He is disposed to shun companionship, slinking away in dark and obscure places, and when called, comes reluctantly, his manner crouching and frightened. In this stage the eyes are slightly reddened and wear a changed expression as has been described, a vacant, far-away, listless look; often they change and in consequence of the wrinkles in the forehead, the gaze becomes sullen and ferocious. It is difficult to fix his attention for more than a moment, when his eyes will close in a sleepy manner, and remain shut for several seconds.

According to the most experienced observers, a perverted appetite is one of the most constant morbid symptoms. Food is the more often rejected or eaten sparingly, and at times it is taken into the mouth and dropped again. On the other hand, all sorts of indigestible substances - sticks, straw, rags, earth, hair, dung and the like are swallowed.

The desire to chew something is irresistible, due possibly to a peculiar feeling in the jaws excited by an irritation of the nerves. If allowed in the house he will bite and worry chair-legs, carpets, boots, etc., in fact anything he can fix his jaws upon. A tendency to lap cold objects such as stones, iron, and his own urine is observed. In some cases the sexual desire seems stimulated, as indicated by the disposition to lick the genitals of other dogs. A mucous discharge appears at the nose, and the secretions in the mouth and throat become thick and ropy, which the animal will occasionally make efforts to expel, and possibly attempt to vomit. This trouble about the throat has led to a mistaken diagnosis of a bone being lodged there.

The duration of this stage denominated the melancholic, may be but a few hours, and rarely over two or three days. It must be remembered that not all the symptoms are uniformly present; in some cases they are few and insignificant, possibly overlooked, or if detected sufficient importance is not attached to them; a fact which lenders this period in the disease the most dangerous to man.

The so-called irritative or maniacal stage has more defined and characteristic symptoms which appear spasmodically, with intervals between the attacks, during which the animals is far less violent. Among the most important symptoms are a changed behavior, an irresistible disposition to bite, a peculiar bark, and repeated violent efforts to break away and stray about. Of this latter symptom, Hertwig has observed that the desertion of his home by a previously faithful dog indicates the existence of a high degree of mental disturbance. The propensity to stray off, especially after having been excited or corrected is then often ascribed to fear, obstinacy, disobedience, or unsatisfied sexual desire, and the animal is all the more dangerous in this state if he quietly and peaceably returns home.

When at large no definite object possesses the animal, and he will often travel fast and far within a short time, expressive of this the term " running rabies" was formerly used. Sometimes he will return home slyly and suspiciously, but friendly with his master.

As the disease passes into the violent stage the unfortunate animal grows more restless, and on the alert, at times becomes delirious, possessed as it were by spectral illusions; springs at the door as though he heard some one approaching; again he will examine every part of his kennel or room in which confined in a most minute manner, then retire to an obscure corner to remain but for a few moments and again commence his wearisome search. At times his eyes are fixed on some imaginary insect, which with his gaze he seems to follow in its course along the walls; at last he springs forward snapping at the intruder his mind pictures, when the spell seems broken and he returns to his corner as though ashamed of his delusion.

As the disease progresses, dogs that are fastened will struggle to break their chains; those that are confined within a room will bite into the wood work, or roll about in the straw which they shake in their teeth. The violent paroxysms become longer and more severe, sometimes lasting for several hours, during which the dog snaps and bites at whatever he encounters; they seem prompted to attack other animals large and small, and less often man. Not infrequently a rabid animal will bite and lacerate his own body, even to gnawing his feet to the bone; cases are on record of terrible self mutilation; some are insensible to external impressions, and will bear blows without a cry, and bite at red hot irons.

If a stick is extended to a chained dog he will snap at it, and cling with such force that his teeth will break and his lips bleed.