The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-06-21
Beware Of Hydrephobia.


vergnat. a teacher in Hartford of the French
language, from what is believed to be the
effects Of hydrophobia, recalls this malady
with unusual force. The disease is 50 appal-
ling that we may be pardoned an extended
reference to terrible subject now that the
dog days are on us. The diseases far
from disappearing, says London newspa-
per, seems to become year after year COM
moner than ever. Unlike most other ~
motto poisons which medicine has been en-
abled to modify, its poison RACES as Virulent-
ly as it did when it was first set up, and
negligence and ignorance combine to swell
the ranks Of its Victims Often durable in
its primary stage, the disease is frequently
permitted to become constitutional, and the
miserable victim, partly perhaps from indif-
ference and partly through the carelessness
of his medical adviser, is left to arrive at
that stage when it only remains for him to-
pass through a series Of excruciating parox-'
ysms to terrible death. But it the disease
cannot be cured, it surely can be prevented.
T It is popularity supposed that the malady
can be communicated only by the bite Of a
dog or cat in an active state OF rabies This
his quite asmfstake- and a mistake Which has
been fruitful Of mischief. 1t Is true that the
bite of an animal not suffering from rabies
is unable to inoculate the human subject,
but it should be remembered that the affec.
ton may be so far latent and obscure that
the animal will, to all appearances, be as
healthy as ever. A singular illustration of
this, says the London World, occurred some
weeks since at Birkenhead, England, and,
as the Coroner was medical man, who took
a professional as well as an official interest
in the case, the details may be accepted as
exceptionally accurate and trustworthy. "a
woman was amusing herself IN her garden
by throwing pieces Of stick for her lapdog to
run after; and, in his impatience, the dog
who had eyinced no sign whatever OF rabies,
though it afterward turned out that he had
been bitten on the ear by another dog some
time before slightly, abraded the skin OF IFS
imistress's hand. Four months afterwafd
she died Of hydrophohia. There can be no
doubt that the poison can be communicated
by the animals lick, and it would be we'll
for those who encourage this disgusting
habit in their pugs, p0odles, and ispitzes TO
know this, and to remember, also, that one
Of the earliest symptoms of canine rabies is
a fondness for licking any object the dog
NAV encounter. The causes switch create
or dispose an animal TO hydrophobia ate
wrapped apparently in impenetrable obscuf-
ity; whether the state which can inoculate is
generated suddenly, or whether.it develops
itself gradually, is alike unknown. As long
as dogs have opportunity given them OF BIZ
ting, or even Of licking abraded surfaces,
such as pimples, so long will the danger
more or less remote-of hydrOphobia con-
tinue to exist. Railway massacres are the
tax we have to pay for the luxury OF speedy
1oo s1u, hvyl rnh 10 ho TO III
the even-handed principle of compensation
for the luxury OF canine Affection" But
dogs have SO long been SO closely associated
by fidelity and affection that no fear OF hy-
drophobia is likely to Danish them either
from our hearts or our homes. Fortunately
the poison which they can communicate
though incurable when once absorbed, may
with reasonable probability be prevented
from communicating the blood, and so pass
ing into the constitutional complaint known
as by drophobia.
1t should never be forgotten that the
slightest abrasure caused BY a dogs tooth is
in the highest degree dangerous, unless the
wound be at once vigorously sucked, and
then thoroughly cauterized, or even excise4
as soon as possible. Should there be any
suspicion that the animal which inflicted the
abrasure was morbid, no fear of mere moi
the way of severe and complete cauteriza-
ton. The fact that the dog is in SO cases
out of 100 not mad, and that there are
chances of escaping the constitutional dis
ease. even though the animal be mad, should
never lull the patient into foolish and mis-
taken security. The disease-where the pri-
mary preventive measures have been neg
lected-has been known to remain latent for
upward of two years, and then to burst into
malignant activity. Where there is the
slightest abrasure of the skin, a dog should
never be allowed to lick it, for it cannot be 4
asserted too emphatically that it is often i'm
possible to determine whether a dog is dis
eased or not, and If the animal is contami-
mated such mode of incubation is all the
more dangerous, because unsupported and
insidious. It should be remembered, more
over, that hydrophobia can be contracted in
directly from the saliva OF an animal suffer-
ing from it, as, for instance, by wiping the
lips with napkin or article OF clothing ac-
cidentally soiled by such saliva. 1t is to be
devoutly hoped that the precautions which
are usually conjolned to the dog days will
be extended to all parts of the year, for it is
notorious that hydrophobia is as common in
Winter as it is in Summer, though people
still persist in clinging doggedly to the old
belief. The regulation about DESTROYING
vagrant dogs is wise one, and should be
faithfully and fearlessly carried out. II the
chances of contracting this awful malady
are to be reduced to minimum-and that
in the present state of our knowledge is all
that can be done-close and continued sur
veillance should be kept over every dog.
Where his history is not known there is al
ways danger. 80 .