Page:The Hog.djvu/117

115 merely went to show that upon the division of the costal cartilages the lungs protruded, as if too large for the cavity of the thorax, and, being cut into, poured forth a frothy mucus, resembling in color and consistence soap lather; the stomach and duodenum were filled with the matters above described to have been eaten, not however impacted, probably owing to the premature death. I have little doubt from the symptoms that, had the examination gone so far, the vessels of the brain and spinal cord would have been found injected. The splash of water certainly caused disquietude; but, inasmuch as noise of any sort produced similar effects, it is doubtful whether aversion to fluids existed; and yet the circumstance of death instantly following the oil-draught, would warrant the belief that spasms of the muscles of deglutition, with the temporary closure of the glottis, occasioned suffocation and death." Among all the numerous cases of rabies which we have met with in the course of our practice, we have never had the opportunity of examining the post-mortem appearances of a rabid pig; but it seems to be generally admitted by those who have done so that there is invariably inflammation about the glottis, and very considerable inflammation of the villous coat of the stomach, especially about the pylorus, towards the cardia. and on the surface of the two rugæ; in some parts the inflammation had almost merged in mortification. The stomach is generally filled with every kind of filth and rubbish, and the bladder distended with urine.

The disease generally appears in the third or fourth week after the animal has been inoculated, but it has been known to lie dormant for two months. Incision of the part and the application of the cautery as soon as possible after the animal has been bitten, are the only preventive means: cure there is none when once this disease has made its appearance, and those who rely on the infallible nostrums of some learned "pig-doctor," will find themselves disappointed; the symptoms may be alleviated by certain drugs, but rabies is incurable.

We are not aware that rabies has ever been known to be communicated by the bite of a pig, but Julian Palmarius states that he has seen horses, cattle, and sheep, become rabid from eating the straw in which rabid pigs had lain; and Dr. Shackmann corroborates the fact.

It has been a much disputed point whether or not the flesh of animals which have died rabid can be eaten with safety. Two eminent scientific men in Paris ate of such flesh without experiencing any bad effects. The carcass of an ox that had been bitten by a rabid dog, and had exhibited all the symptoms of rabies, was cut up and sold, but it did not appear that any of those who ate of it experienced the slightest inconvenience. Again, at the Royal Veterinary School at Alford, the tongue of a rabid horse was given to a dog; the animal devoured it, and lived on in perfect health.