The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-18

by the writer several years since. and embody
the immense number OF 1920 distinct and au-
thentlc cases Of rabies Gamma observed 10
France, Austria. England and the Unitod
States. OF these 704 occurred during the spring,
G21 during tho summer. COS during the autussn.
and 5S7 during tho wintor. The foregoing facts
and figures demonstrate the absurdty Of r.
pressive laws designed to DO in operation onT
during the summer months.
As to tho influence Of hunger and thirst IN
generating hydrophobia. Dupuytrcn. Brescbet.
Magende. Rad Bourgclat. and MGn6iicr fam.
ished great number Of dogs and cats without
the production Of anything resembling rabies
We must therefore acknowledge our igno.
rance OF any causes concerned In the spontanc.
Gus development Of this disorder. Prot st. Oyr
OF the Lyons Veterinary School, who has DE-
voted many years to an attentive study Of the
mnlady. and whose experience has boon i'm.
mense. does not hesitate to assert that huar
cold drought. and humidity-in a word. all the
meteorological conditions. whatever they mar
be- are absolutely without any percoptible nnu.
encc rs causes OF rabies Its reproduction
solely by incubation from one animal to an.
other is therefore tho only satisfactory theory
left ny. and is one. moreover. amply Sufficient
to account for tho vast majority OF cases; and
in all probability such mode OF transmission 10
responsible for every case. The most plausible
objection to this opinion lies in the suggestion
that the disease must at one time. haze sprung
from beginning. which argument. however.
whep used with regard to any communicable
disease. can only remove us from matters sus-
ccptiblo OF proof back to the mysterious and
impenetrable domain OF original causes.
1t is occasionally very difficult to detect tho
existence Of rabies In its nascent state. This
IA for Of hsflr it,lsf la In
inocuatod by dogs supposed not to have been
rabid. and which died or were killed before the
full development OF the disease. Thamhayn
has described nineteen cases occurring in tho
human subject in which dogs. to all appear
ances healthy. but which were watched and
subsequently became rabid. produced hydro
phobia by their bito. dog manifesting any
morbid or unusual symptoms should be care
fully observed. kept apart from other animals.
and from human beings. children particularly.
and be attended to and fed with the utmost
caution dog evincing constant restlessness.
undue affection. an altered or threatening de-
meanor. snappishncss. dcpraved appetite. q
modified bark. or salvation. should demand
extraordinary vigilance.
II q person has been bitten by nm animal With
unquestionable symptoms OF rabies. let 1t 10
destroyed at once but II wounded by one mere
y coniectured to have the disease. it Is advisa-
BILE not to kill 1t Immediately. but TO confne Il
closely under strict surveillance until tho sus-
picons shall DO allayed or positively confirmed.
Such measure will occupy but a few days. and
may save from much apprehension persons OF
very nervous cxcitability.
II cannot be- too frequently insisted upon that
II is not possible to contract hydrophobia except
from rabid animal.
As 1t is usually difficult and dangerous to at
tempt the precautions mentioned in our own
homes. the establishment Of woll regulated dog
inlrmares in all cities is very desirable. In
such retreats. moreover. valuable and esteemed
animals suspected OF the disease. or which mar
have been in contact with rabid dogs. can DO
readily kept under observation for period sui
ilciently long TO insure safety. This seauesJEa-
ton should extend to six months at least
All persons and animals bitten by dogs sup.
posed to be mad should as quickly as possihls
receive those attentions which are recognized
as most efIectua in destroying the rabnc virus.
or preventing its absorption. Mr.. Youatt. the
most distinguished authority on this subject.
relied exclusively upon a thorough cauteriEa-
ton OF the wound with nitrate OF silver. Df
this simple treatment he was successful in ovef
four hundred instances in the human subiect
and in nnumerable cases OF dogs; in his owa
person, moreover. az he was repeatedly bitten
by rabid dogs. and on one occasion severely br
mad cat
All rabid animals after death should DO GOV.
cred with quickllme. and buried at a good
depth. or better still. should undergo crema.
ton. They should never. as is frequenily
done. be thrown into bitches. ponds. or streams.
Every substance which they may have contani-
mated should be- consigned to the flames.
The propriety Of the destruction OF vaerSnt
dogs must. Of course. be obvious to all. They
should be gotten rid OF in the most humane
manner possible. Confinement in a cage which
may be instantaneously immersed in water Is
the readiest and least painful means. CP.R