Paroxysms are excited by teasing, the sight of other animals, or may occur without provocation. While they last the dog is possessed with unusual strength, often breaking his chain and freeing himself. Bitches with whelps have been known to bite and tear their pups with their teeth.

During these paroxysms those infected seem perfectly delirious, and frequently there is observed convulsive twitchlngs of the face, and occasionally convulsions. Following the attacks the animal relapses into a sort of stupor, and if undisturbed a much longer interval will more often elapse before a recurrence of another period of excitement. In some cases the mental state is for a time so improved, masters are recognized.

A sign which is considered highly characteristic of rabies, and one which frequently makes its appearance early in the disease, is the peculiar alteration in the tone of the voice; the bark is described as a sound between a bark and a howl, uttered in a rough hoarse tone, which might be called croupy. The short sharp sound is often prolonged into a mournful distressing wail, the animal lifting his head in the air as it issues.

The change in the voice is attributed by some to a swollen condition of the pharynx and larynx; this is possibly true and yet certain functional disturbances in the great nerve centres maybe even more active, as in cases of children suffering from diseases of the brain, the cry becomes harsh, shrill, and ear-piercing.

In the maniacal stage of rabies the appetite for food nearly if not entirely disappears; occasionally a favorite bit if offered will be eaten but rarely is this the case. Instead of food a rabid animal will invariably swallow large quantities of indigestible substances, such as straw, clay, and dung.

Among the many ancient and unfounded traditions concerning the course of rabies, may be recalled the notions that dogs so infected froth and foam at the mouth; that they always run in a straight line, and carry their tails held closely between the hind legs, also that a peculiar odor attends a rabid dog which can be detected by one in health. All this is fanciful and unfounded; authorities state that the saliva is discharged only when the animal is unable to swallow; the tall is wagged and carried as usual until weakness causes it to drop; in running the course is much the same pursued by one uninfected The gait of a rabid dog is somewhat characteristic, described as a Jog-trot. He carries his head low with tongue protruding, often torn and bleeding, swollen, and covered with dirt. Rarely will he turn from the course he is pursuing to attack anything unless it be animals of kindred species, the sight of which almost invariably excites his rage and invites an encounter.

At no time during an attack of rabies is there a special dread of water as was formerly popularly supposed. One observer is credited with having detected in extremely rare instances, dogs unable to swallow owing to spasms of the throat. Almost invariably they drink freely and deeply, showing no nervous excitement at the sight of fluids. It is not an uncommon sight to see them lick their own urine, a fact upon which much stress as a diagnostic sign is put by some authors.

As the disease progresses, emaciation rapidly supervenes, the entire appearance of the animal becomes changed to a marked degree; the head frequently swells, the eyes which sink within their cavities, are brilliant and glistening; the hair becomes rough and staring. The mucous membrane, more often dry and parched than moistened, changes to a purplish color. The breathing during a violent paroxysm and immediately after is hurried; at other times is but slightly affected.

The duration of the violent or irritative stage is generally not longer than three, or very rarely four days. As the rabid animal becomes weakened and the paroxysms grow less severe and distinct, the disease emerges into the so-called paralytic stage. The change in appearance now becomes more striking, surprisingly so considering the few days that have passed since the appearance of the first symptoms. The eyes are dim and glistening, the purplish tongue protrudes, emaciation has reduced the unfortunate to a mere skeleton; he presents a picture both appalling and heart-rending. He staggers and stumbles blindly about his kennel, until increasing exhaustion at last overpowers him; he will still bite or snap at things which may be used to arouse him, but his strength departing his efforts grow more feeble, his breathing is short and labored, his voice hoarser; he passes into a stupor, possibly into a partial or complete convulsion, and at last death mercifully closes the scene.

The progress of this terrible malady is very rapid. The different stages may be passed and death ensue on the second, or life may be prolonged to the tenth day; the latter set as the limit is but rarely reached, and from four to five days is the more common duration.

The dumb or sullen form of rabies which constitutes from fifteen to twenty per cent of the total number of cases, is but a peculiar type of the disease, which runs a much shorter course, and without the violent or irritative stage. There is decidedly less excitation of the brain, the violent paroxysms, the illusions, the constant motion, the disposition to bite, and the propensity to stray away, are all absent or present only in a slight degree, and the animal is quiet, silent, and dejected.