Rabies is a virus disease primarily of animals and transmitted to animals and to man by the bite of an infected animal, chiefly the dog.

Rabies, a disease which affects both animals and men, has been present in all parts of the world except Australia, New Zealand, and some of the Pacific Islands. Ever since the dawn of civilization descriptions of this disease have appeared in medical literature. In his treatise, "The History of Animals," Aristotle wrote extensively on canine madness.

A 3-year-old Standardbred male horse was admitted to Stange Memorial Clinic on March 24, 1949, with a growth protruding from the right nasal passage. History indicated that the growth was first noticed about two weeks prior to arrival at the Clinic. Growth was rapid, resulting in complete obstruction of the right nasal passage.