Alexandria Advertiser And Commercial Intelligencer

From the Sporting Magazine.

Distinguishing signs of madness in Dogs.
By Mr. MEYNELL.

Mr. Meynell, a celebrated fox-hunter in Leicestershire, having paid particular attention to madness among his dogs, communicated to a physician the following remarks, in answer to some questions proposed to him on that subject. In order (says Dr. Fothergill, the writer of this article) to prevent any mistake in a matter of such importance, I shall here present the reader with the result of his observations, copied verbatim, in his own words.

"The first symptoms of canine madness in dogs is, I believe, a failure of appetite, in a small degree. I mean that the dog does not eat his usual food with his usual eagerness; though, if better food be offered him, he may eat it greedily. A disposition to quarrel with other dogs comes on early in the disease. A total loss of appetite generally succeeds; though I have seen dogs eat and lap water the day before their death, which generally happens between seven and ten days after the first symptom has appeared. A mad dog will not, I believe, cry out on being struck, nor show any sign of fear on being threatened; though he will, very late in the disease, appear sensible of kind treatment.

"I have never known a mad dog show symptoms of the disease in less time, after the bite, than ten days; and I have known many instances of dogs having died mad, as late as eight months after the bite. I think the symptoms generally appear between three & eight weeks after the bite.

"A mad dog, in the height of the disorder, has a disposition to bite all other dogs, animals or men. When not provoked, he usually attacks only such as comes in his way: but, having no fear, it is peculiarly dangerous to strike at, or provoke him.

"Mad dogs appear to be capable of communicating the infection early in the disorder, & as soon as they begin to quarrel with, or bite other dogs.

"The eyes of mad dogs do not look red or fierce, but dull: and have a particular appearance, which is easily distinguished by such as have been used to observe it; but not easily to be described.

"Mad dogs never bark, but occasionally utter a most dismal and plaintive howl, expressive of extreme distress; and which, those who have once heard can never forget. So that dogs may be known to be going mad without being seen, when only this dismal howl is heard.

"Mad dogs do not foam or froth at the mouth, but their lips and tongue appear dry and foul, or slimy.

"Though mad dogs generally refuse both food and drink in the latter stage of the disorder, yet they never show any abhorrence or dread of water, will pass thro' it without difficulty, and lap it eagerly to the last. But it is remarkable that tho' they lap water for a long time, and eagerly, and do not seem to experience any uneasiness from it, yet they do not appear to swallow a single drop of it: for, however long they may continue lapping it, no diminution of quantity can be perceived.

"I am persuaded, that this disorder never originates from hot weather, provisions, or from any other cause but the contagion, however fed. or whatever may be the bite. For however dogs may have been confined, I never knew the disorder commence without having been the heat of the season, I never able to trace it to that cause: and it was never introduced into the kennel, but by the bite of a mad dog.

not know that there is any thing remarkable in their teeth more than those of other dogs. I do
"The hairs of a mad dog do not stand He in this manner of a mad dog's carrying his head, or his tail. I do not believe that dogs are more afraid of a mad dog than they are of any other dog that seems disposed to attack them.

There are two kinds of madness, both of which I have known to originate from the bite of the same dog. Among the symptoms, one is known by the name of Running, the other by that of Dumb Mad. In dumb madness, the nether jaw drops and is fixed, the tongue hangs out of the mouth, and slaver drops from it. In running madness, the mouth is shut, except when the dog snaps or howls, and no moisture drops from it.