DISSCUSSION:
As we all know in rabies hydrophobia is very prominent and is pathognomic of rabies too. The pathophysiology of hydrophobia is well known. The temporal lobe with hypothalamus region of brain got infected by the retrograde dissemination of rabies virus via peripheral nerves causes seizures, lethargy and later on (if involves) corticospinal tract causes paralysis2, 3.
It also causes an infiltration/ infection of the salivary glands since the saliva is the gateway to reproduction and eternity for the virus. An infection of the parotid and other salivary glands causes shooting pain when the glands are excited (by trying to drink or to eat). Drinking is worse than eating than respiring (rabies is also causing aerophobia)4. So, due to these shooting pain sensations, a rabid person avoids the trigger mechanisms, which are drinking and eating. Thus, with minimal seeing of water causes respiratory or deglutination muscle spasm reflex.
It is clear from our findings that with minimal blow to any ear causes increase in humidity (due to moist air from examiners mouth) in the auditory canal which in turn sends impulses via those auditory nerves to temporal lobe thus stimulating the reflex.