The saliva of a mad dog is a virulent slow-acting poison gradually driving victims insane before they die a gruesome and painful death. Smeared on weapons or added to food and drink, rabid dog saliva is a cruel way to kill a person, and one that is almost guaranteed to spread to others as the afflicted person bites and attacks his loved ones. Whole families have been wiped out by a single dose of this virulent disease.[1a][1b]