THE COUNTENANCE OF A HORSE
WITH HYDROPHOBIA.
The nervous system is always highly developed. The horse starts at the smallest sound, trembles violently without a cause, flies backward, hangs upon the halter, stares wildly, and bursts into a copious sweat without any apparent reason being detected. Its voice is also changed, and the expression of the countenance invariably altered. The neigh is squeaking, and the face is at the commencement characterized by immense anxiety, which is soon changed for a peculiar aspect of cunning, mixed with a grinning ferocity.
Rarely, however, all the foregoing symptoms are absent. The horse is harnessed and taken to work. Suddenly it stops, appears stupid, and threatens to fall. In a short time it recovers, and the labor is proceeded with. The fits occur again and again. At length they end in violent shivering. When the tremor ceases, the recognition is not perfectly recovered. The breathing is quick and sharp; the eye bright and wild. The animal is turned homeward, but seldom reaches the stable before the furious stage begins.
Hydrophobia is commonly matured before the expiration of the sixth week. A fortnight is the earliest period of its appearance; but writers have asserted that the imbibed virus will remain dormant for twelve months. The author has no experience which justifies the last opinion.
THE DESTRUCTIVE IMPULSE OF HYDROPHOBIA.
Whenever a suspicion of this incurable and horrible disorder is entertained, place the horse by itself in a building with bare walls, but capable of being looked into through a window. Put food and water in the house, and, if the door be not strong, have it barricaded. Let no one enter for at least three days, as, during this disease, the horse is both mischievous and dangerous. The pain is such that it seeks relief in destruction. All breathing and moving creatures first attract its rage; but, wanting these, its frenzy is expended in breaking, rending, and scattering inanimate objects. Its ability to destroy is only limited by the duration of the disorder.
Let as few people as possible be near the hydrophobic horse. The quadruped's nerves are then alive to every impression. The presence will be detected, though the person be assiduously concealed. The sound of breathing even adds to the torture. Keep all people away but one; and that one should be the best shot in the neighborhood. Let him approach, aim steadily, and pull the trigger; for a bullet well placed is the only remedy the author knows which can stay this fearful disorder.