New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-20
UTILITY OF MUZZLING DOGS.
uYDRopHoBIA DEsCRIBED-A CHEERFUL VIEW

An IMPORTANT QUESTION.
Geo w. Johnstone (Wayno HOvey), editor
OF The Animal Kingdom discussed tie subject Of hydro
phobia last evening before the Liberal Club. He pre-
faced remarks reference 10 the unfortunate
of Mt Butler which he did not consider of hydro
phoba but Of teanus The lecture III substance was as
follows:
As to tho question whether hydrophoba is or is not
in any degree dependent upon the dogdays for It's de
veopmeut, be settled only bv reference to the Off
eal reports that have been published the subject.
That of the French Government IN 1852 was more
haustve and minute IN detalI tah any that had pre-
coded it, ana 1t has since been recognized as the most
OF all Investigations concerning the pathology of
the disease. Among populationoi over thlrty-twO
millions the most careful attention was paid to every
symptom having the remoest analogy to hydrophobia,
with the following result: They reported l05
attributed to the bite Of dog, 20 to the bite of wolf,
In lOOcases they learned when the received, Wa
rs March. April, and May. IS during june July, and
August 10 during september October, and November.
aud 81 during December January, and February sta
tiscs taken in our own country have given similar
suits except that the numbers OF cases occurring with
TO be greater in Winter than IN Summer.
From all the circumstances we can easily decide how
absurd and barDarous the law is for muzzng dogs dur
the Summer months There another aspect OF the
cae which should not be f0rgottenthe muzze does not
prevent hydrOphOba in the dog but on the contrary
greatly predsposes him TO the disease. The dog dnds
his principal relief, in hot weather. In painting
open-mouthed. He does not throw of perspratOn like
many other animals, and consequently depends much
upon the rapid Inhalation OF cool air INTO his lungs The
uzzle makes the bestnatured dog irritable an finally
fortunes him into fever To him more than all others
Is 10 water necessity lie Will drink from
ten to fifteen times day, which to hun is undoubtedly
faithful servants die every Summer In TINS city OF
wastefu fever because there proper provisions
made for them TO obtain water. II they could tell us
the story OF misery arising from this alone
Ii would touch our hearts.
genuine of bydrophobia, in the dog Is OF
very rare occurrence But when me disease does mani
fest ITSELF its symptoms marked and easily defined.
who has given the subject the slightest atten-
ton there should be mistake concerning proper
diagnosis The trouble is that to persons OF superficial
observation epileptic ht-very common among dogs
may mistaken for hydrophOba. The dog when suf-
ferng from attack OF epepsy-whicn Is sure guar
fl.a ha ms
& fco,h 81 the month (which ia another positive
Indication that he is not mad, for mad dog never
froths the MOUTH and as entirely deprived Of sight,
the case is entirely different He dreuls at the mouth
Is possessed OF preternatural strength, ana never
mankind. but rather avoids society. He takes long
Journeys OF thirty or forty miles TO vent his
not walk run, but proceeds in slouehng mannera
kind of ro-hls ASPECT is detected His eyes do not
glare OF stare, but they are du and retraeted. HIS
appearance very characteristics, and II once seen
never aterward be mistaken. In this state he Will
travel the most dusty roads MS tongue hanging Dry
from his open mouth from which, however there drops
no Me IL very ILL., He cannot stay to bite From these
symptoms, which never vary, hydrophobia IN the dog
tbOsand however large his practice, who has ever
a case Of bydrophobia, and yet one would think,
did a as not riie e'D' in community as deiria@
tremeus-quite as terrible IN IT'S eaaraeer-the
The Other hand there Is hardly physician, however
limited ms practice, who has not been called upon TO
treat eases OF mania potu OF most dreadful and
agonizng character. No sensational picture however
Wildly dr. highly wrought lInstatlhs tue sun1r
d. iron "A lies can convey Ia the faintest manner Inc
real agony Of writing under the tOrtuIes OF oe
lriu treneps. Yet we permit, nsy invite TINS uisease
a., onI ,alf - Pardon me n | seemingly digress from
my subject when say that intoxicating HqlVts XII
more people Ia SeWYOrk CITY alone ia one month lhah
woud die OF Lydrophobia IN the United states III cen
tury. $1,000. -. -.
The mania for oHgnating stories about people VINO
haze ded from tue result OK ancient dog bites dating
back four FIVE, ana even 70 yeafs, Is exceedingly repre-
bens.be. such an occurrence Is simply lmpOssDie, as
Is q
me disease after the expiration Of tnree months from
the time of receiving the bite. Tell grayey that
he has swallowed "a deadly poison ana he Will be very
Ikely TO feel aud exhibit all the effects OF IT, Let
VhOie community assure han "Do h"S Deeh Dlieh Dy