The Pertinent Facts About Rabies
"Please tell me some of the rudimentary information of this disease." asked
Mr. Hart, glancing towards the inert figure of his son.
"Well, as you know, this malady used to be called hydrophobia(
fear of water) because one of its symptoms is an inability to swallow 
liquids. Actually, it is caused by a live virus in the saliva of an infectious
animal. If the virus gets into the bite wounds, the victim may get rabies.
The virus travels along the nerves to the spine and brain. When the salient
characteristics appears, then death is imminent. "What are the symptoms?"
asked Mrs. Hart. "Pain and numbness, difficulty in swallowing, headache and
nervousness, and muscle spasm and convulsion." The squeamish neighbor who
was engrossed in Doc's remarks gasped. "I think we should go ahead with
interjections." The distraught Mrs. Hart said, "I have heard enough."

To tilt at windmills--The vice-president told the committee, "we're
really on your side, and if you fight us you'll be tilting at windmills".
(to fight imaginary enemies)