In order to communicate the infection, a wound is no more necessary than it is in the small-pox; to the HUMAN SPECIES it can be communicated by the saliva only; but dogs have received it by being in the KENNEL where mad dogs have been before. This disorder, it seems, is only inherent and natural to the canine species, (as the dog, fox, and wolf;) but other animals having received the infection, by the puncture of the tooth from either of those, may then communicate it to any other species, and by the same means.
When the human species become unhappily the subjects of this disorder, though in particular instances some variation may be observed, the symptoms are in general a slight pain in the wound, sometimes attended with itching, but always resembling a rheumatic pain; it extends also into the neighbouring parts, and at length from the extremities it passes into the viscera; the cicatrix (if there has been a wound) begins to swell, inflames, and then to discharge an ichor; and this alone may be considered the primary and invariable symptom of a certain hydrophobia. There are other more general pains, resembling rheumatic ones, and are of a quick, flying, convulsive kind: they affect the patient in the neck, joints, and other parts; a dull pain often seizes the head, neck, breast, belly, and even runs along the back-bone. The patient is gloomy, murmurs much, is forgetful, and drowsy; at times the mind seems disordered; by turns he is watchful; his slumbers become disturbed, and awaking from them, convulsive agitations immediately follow.
A deafness is sometimes complained of; the eyes are watery, the aspect sorrowful; the face becomes pale and contracted; sweat also breaks out about the temples: an unusual flow of saliva at length comes on, with a dryness of the fauces, a foulness of the tongue, and a disagreeable, or rather fœtid, effluvia from the breath. As the above symptoms increase, the second stage advances: a fever comes on, which at first is mild, but attended with momentary horrors, and violent periodical agitations; wakefulness becomes continual; the mind is more and more disturbed; a delirium approaches; and an aversion to fluids and polished bodies is at this time plainly perceptible. At first, a constriction of the gullet is perceived, and a difficulty of swallowing; but as yet liquids are freely taken, although soon refused: this symptom augments so visibly, that, when any liquid comes before their sight, an horror immediately seizes them; and if they make an effort to drink, spasms are produced, on which horrid gesticulations, and loss of senses, follow. The patient now murmurs, groans, and mourns most distressingly, loses by degrees all knowledge of his most intimate acquaintance, and then becomes desirous of biting: reason returns at intervals, and he laments his own calamity; the thirst excites a desire to drink, but in vain they strive, and soon sink into the most affecting despondency. Conscious of the approaching inclination to bite, he warns his friends of their danger, and, by words or motions, advises them to keep at a distance. Toward the conclusion, the fever and thirst increase, the tongue hangs out, the mouth foams, strength fails, cold sweats come on, the tightness in the breast increases, as well as all the predominant symptoms, till the patient expires in strong convulsions.
The subject of MADNESS in DOGS, and the HYDROPHOBIA in the human species, afford ample scope for reflection and scientific disquisition: this, however, not being the proper place for a literary enlargement upon either, it becomes necessary to introduce a few remarks upon that well known destructive disorder called "THE DISTEMPER," which Mr. Daniel properly observes, "is the most fatal (the plague only excepted) that any animal is subject to. It is astonishing what numbers have been destroyed by it within the period of its being known in this country, which is about forty years: whether the attention paid, and the medicines of different kinds now usually administered in its first stages, have occasioned the alteration, certain it is, the disease is milder, and less frequent, than it was twelve or fifteen years since."
After all the dissections and minute investigations that can possibly be made, the distemper, in respect to its original or remote cause, sets every enquiry at defiance; and it remains in the same state of uncertainty in which it has continued for thirty years past. Great and indefatigable exertions, however, on the part of Mr. Blaine, (a professional gentleman of anatomical and medical celebrity,) have done much in the investigation; and as his researches are constant and unwearied, the SPORTING WORLD have yet much to expect from his perseverance. Mr. B. most candidly observes, that, "amidst all his investigations, although unable to discover the original cause of the disease, and after many experiments made upon probable ground to provide a cure for it, what enquiry, conducted on principles of reason and science, could not do, was effected by chance; and a remedy was found as certain in its effects, as it is possible for a remedy to be. Under a fair trial it has never been known to fail; even in the worst stages, when the convulsions were very frequent, it has removed the complaint; yet, where the disease is so malignant, the certainty must be diminished."
Mr. Beckford, whose series of "Letters upon Hunting" are amongst the happiest efforts of truth and accurate observation, communicates a remedy for the distemper, transmitted to him by a friend whose hounds had derived great benefit from the experiment, of taking "an ounce of Peruvian bark in a glass of port wine twice every day;" whether as a ball or bolus does not appear; but, perhaps, upon trial, it will be found, that an ounce of bark in powder will absorb (or take up) four glasses of wine, before it can be rendered sufficiently fluid for administering in that form.
Mr. Daniel has so largely and judiciously treated upon the subjects of the distemper and canine madness in his Rural Sports, that it is impossible to add a single thought or line upon either, without the most palpable appearance of plagiarism: his own observations, blended with a collection of well-authenticated facts, are so numerous, so just, and the inferences drawn so truly scientific, that nothing new or additionally advantageous can be introduced.
Dogs of every description are held in such general estimation, that the Legislature has thought proper to render the privilege of keeping them a matter of pecuniary contribution to the support of government, and the exigencies of the state; under which increased and accumulated act, they are become very efficient objects of taxation, as will be readily conceived by the annexed abstract.
"Persons keeping one DOG, not passing under the denomination of GREYHOUND, HOUND, POINTER, SETTING DOG, SPANIEL, LURCHER, or TERRIER, to pay the annual sum of six shillings."
"Any person keeping one or more dogs, of either of the above description, is to pay ten shillings for every DOG up to any number of DOGS so kept."