The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-06-16
Dog Muzsles Abolished in New YORK

The recent action of the Board of
Health in New York city resembling all or
dinances requiring the muzzling of dogs
is based on the following memorandum
furnished by the Sanitary Committee:
Hydrophobia is disease peculiar to an
imals OF the canine and feline races, the
dog, wolf, fox. cat, &c. Its origin, except
by actual incubation, is unknown. 1t may
be inoculated by licking raw surface as
well as by wound with the tooth. It's
occurrence and prevalence are not mater
tally affected by the seasons of the year,
nor by the climate. 1t is perhaps slightly
more frequent in the spring months. but
it occurs alike in the coolest regions of
Canada and the hottest districts of the
East and West Indies. OF those bitten
by animals known to be rabid but small
percentage are affected, namely, five to
twenty per cent. This is largely due to
the fact that the saliya of the rabid dog is
so tar removed by the hair OF the animal
or clothes of the person bitten that none of
it enters in the wound The male dog is
far more liable to be affected than the fe-
male. Pet dogs confined to the house and
family are as liable to develop hydropho
bia as dogs at large, The muzzling Of
healthy dogs and those allowed in the
streets is at best most imperfect proven
) tive measure. IF the animal is rabid he
J can readily infict wound with the metal
J lie muZzle, and thus inocculate the victim
If he is not rabid the muzzle will prove a
species of cruelty and annoyance far more
likely to produce canine madness than to
= protect against it. 1t would prove far
: more effective against the nuisance of the
rowing herds of vagrant ours in our streets
if the ordinance forbid any dog in the
street which did not wear collar having
! the owners name and residence engraved
upon it. 1t might also prove Of much ser
vice if the public we're better informed as
to the early symptoms of hydrophobia in
the dog. These symptoms are thus given
e by an eminent veterinary surgeon
There are no premonitary signs of an at
: tack Of the disease in the dog. When the
} period OF incubation three to seven weeks
e is passed, the animal is restless, dull,
watchful. and snaps at dogs, other ami
Y mails or men, which come in its way. II
e shuns the light, but with much slynesS
S seeks an opportunity OF escape, and roves
about town or country, manitesting extra.
ordinary powers of eXertion and marked
nsensibility to blows and ill-usage. The
. habits of an animal may not change com
pletely at first, and the recognition Of per
sons it has been daily in contact with i:
sometimes very remarkable. The dilatoG
pupils, the manner in which the eyes follow
any object moved before them, and the pc
6 culiar modification Of the bark, which il
It more of the nature of the howl, are among
the characterized symptoms. The appe
tite is lost thirst often considerable, ant
t the animals usually drink without Difficult
il ty The coat is starting, skin light on tn,
i ribs, abdomen tucked up, head depressed
It and nose protruded with dirty mouth
IS and tongue, and sometimes discharge O
d mucous and saliva from the sides of thu
: mouth in certain number OF cases TIT
e nervous symptoms are very prominent a
h this period, and the lower jaw drops from
- paralysis Of the muscles connected with it
The howl is then lost, hence the name 0
= dumb rabies. EmaciatiQn and craving at
! ter filth, which is swallowed with some dit
- tculty, are among the noticeable symp
+ toms. There is singular absence Of an
2 marked acceleration of the pulse an
breathing during the disease the ANNA
sinks, often paralyzed in the hind quarters
2 and dies somewhat TRANQUILITY from tn
l. fourth to the eighth day.
l. Dogs or cats suffering from these symI
toms should be at once destroyed.