Observations on hydrophobia, produced by the bite of a mad dog, or other rabid animal : with an examination of the various theories and methods of cure, existing at the present day, and an inquiry into the merit of specific remedies : also a method of treatment best adapted to the brute creation : in a series of letters to a friend / by James Thatcher.

  • Thacher, James, 1754-1844.
Date:
1812
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on hydrophobia, produced by the bite of a mad dog, or other rabid animal : with an examination of the various theories and methods of cure, existing at the present day, and an inquiry into the merit of specific remedies : also a method of treatment best adapted to the brute creation : in a series of letters to a friend / by James Thatcher. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    snaps. It is not every dog that makes any noise under rabies. Some have a violent inflammation of the mouth and throat, producing a total inability to bark ; this by sportsmen is termed dumb madness ; but where any noise is made, which occurs in two thirds of the cases that happen, this very noise forms the truest character of the disease, and affords a mark subject to the fewest varieties. It consists in a very remarkable short howl, or lengthened bark, for it par- takes of both, and is so totally unlike any thing besides, that when once heard, it can never be forgotten or mistaken. It is commonly made with the head held up in the air. There is great distress apparent in the countenance, with a quick, anxious look ; the eyes are always red, frequently so inflamed as to produce matter ; and the sight in some instances becomes de- ceptive, and they snap at objects, they fancy they perceive. In most, there is a remarkable tendency to carry straw about in their mouths and scratch it up under their bellies into heaps. Gnawing is almost invariable with them; boards, chains, the vessel that holds their food or water is gnawed or taken up and chewed to pieces. In many, the attempt to escape is very great. This anxiety to escape is a very remark - able trait in the disease. It is not the effect of de- lirium, as is supposed, nor of pain: on the contrary, when a dog has escaped he commonly turns home again, unless worried and hunted. But it is, as it were, a peculiar anxiety to propagate the disease; for he travels, industriously seeking objects to bite. Horses, cows, and sheep, but peculiarly dogs, he anx-