Ellsworth American., 1877-05-24
Hydrophobia.

The Massachusetts State Board of Health
has issued the following circular. descrip.
tive OF hydrophobia:
In accordance with AN act of the Iegis.
lature here quoted, the following circular
Is issued
Every license issued 10 the owner OF
any dog In the Commonwealth shall have
printed on the same description of the
symptoms Oi the disease in animals known
a. hydrophobia, said description 10 be sup
piled on applications by the secretary OF
the Is oard OF Health.
The animals know to be primarily e.
fected with hydrophobia are chiefly dogs.
although cases have occurred in other al
lied species Of carnivOrous animals (wOlf.
fox, hyena, raccoon, badger. cat. skunk,
etc.) The disease may be communicated,
by incubation, 10 probably all warm
bIooded anioals; it prevails, most in tenn
perate climates and pretty uniformly at
different seasons lin the United States OF
2401 cases 6ll occurred In spring 5S3 in
autumn, $50 in summer. 573 in winter. }
IL is thought by the best authorities TO ei-
feet both both sexes in dogs about alike,
although thefe are more cases occurring
of male dogs. as there are more male dog.
in existence.
There is no evidence that men can have
hydrophobia except by direct inoculation
from an infected animal; and all men bit
ten by mad dogs do not necessarily have
the disease, even when no treatment is
adopted.
No kinds of dogs, so far as is known.
are specially liable 10 hydrophobia. except
in a general way those which live under
natural conditions OF climate. food etc
Poodle dogs. pet dogs. and those living in
heated houses. with little exercise and fed
with unsuitable food. ETC.. half-starved
stray dogs, and unacclimated dogs. are
more likely to have hydrophobia than 9TH
ers. All mad dogs do not necessarily bite
other animals, if not interiered with; but
IL Is evident that the more ferOciouS the
nature OF the dog, either originally or by
education. the greater are the chances of
his biting people. and thereby communicat-
ing the disease.
The symptoms in dogs are Ieferable to
three stages, in no one of which is there
any dread of Sater( which is a symptom Of
the disease in man alone. aud not always
in him: indeed. a mad dog is usually
more than commonly thirsty.
In the first sage. there Is a change in
the habits of the dog; he becomes dull,
gloomy and silent, seeks TO insolate him
self in out-of-the way places. is very rest
less, lying down and gettin. up frequently
constantly changing his position aud be-
Ing 10 continual state OF agitation The
apPeti e Is capricious, and only delicacies
are eaten AT first. while little later all
manner of strange material-sticks. stones
straw, dung. etc.-are greedy taken. The
animal appears sullen. and obeys his
msteter's voice less readily than usual, al.
through for few moments he may seem
more lively than Is common. Sexual ex-
element is generally an early symptom.
There is seldom an increased disposition
to bite in this stage. and there is no froth-
ing At the mouth but the saliva is capa-
Bile of communicating The disease. Petted
dogs are especially dangerous in this con.
ditiOn, because their bite. il trivial. is liza
bic to be overlooked aud not treated. and
because they are allowed to lick the face
and hands of their owners. and nay in
Oculate any small spot where the skin Is
broken.
From twevle hours to two or three days
later. IA the second stage, the restlessness
becomes more marked; the dog throws
about the straw In his ken mel. scratches
aud tumbles cushions. rugs, ETC., j. con.
stantiy in motion, and acts as -, npelled
by some fancies or hallucI. NOof sight
and hearing. He starts lttackiny
some object, darts foxisworth havls at i'm
aginary objects sg@ploy the servAt for q
moment; the $40 Vsa with the the CITY ping free
and virulent. hman Son. mouth; his
Ellsworth, Mayl Is. 1877. LUG p'P"'