Presenting features and diagnosis of rabies.

The early clinical features important in the establishment of a diagnosis of rabies are described from experience of 23 fatal cases in Sri Lanka. The importance of the "fan test" as a diagnostic sign is stressed. The earliest features of the disease may suggest hysteria if a history of a bite from a rabid animal is not obtained. In a district in which there is an outbreak of rabies cases of rabies hysteria may also develop.