The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1882-07-20
alseful aud Curious.
HYDRoPHoBIA.

Scarcely a newspaper can be picked mp now-a-
DAYS without seeing account Of some person
who has the hyhrophohia, or has been bitten by
amad-dog. From the number of snch cases
curing, il shows that human life is in great
jeopardy from this cause, and calls for more ac-
tive measures than are ordinarily employed for
protection against this dreaded disease.
As tn. heated term approaches, rabid dogs he
come more numerous and vicious In their habits,
although why this Is so no one can tell, unless
the old fiction he true that Sirius exerts the po-
tent influence ascrbed TO it by the ancien.s dn-
ring the dog days of midsummer. However that
may be, it is enough to know that mad-dogs are
in the land, and that protective measures againt
them necessary.
In view of the value of i single human life
that might be lost from this cause, and there are
scores of lives sacrificed every year in this way,
determination of the entire canine family would
not seem to be too severe judgment. Better
that all the dogs should perish than that human
beings should constantly fall victims to their
ferocity. 4 few dogs might be tolerable and
few others valuable, but the hosts of worthless
ours, big and little, that roam the streets and
fields, swapping at each other and every thing
that comes in there way, their can be no earthly
use for but to have them slaughtered by the
quickest method. A possible exception might
be made in highbred dogs, as il is claimed that
blooded animals never become rabid, and there
fore not dangerous; but against dogs generally
it is no; more than right that laws shOnldibe en-
acted and enforced, killing the utterly worthless
ones, and compelling the owner of every dog
thought to be respectable, to muzzle his canine,
as he values his life. This would obviate any
danger from this source, to the great comfort and
safety of everybody.
Hydrophobia is not always conveyed by ra-
ging animal, as il has been known to occur from
seemingly innocent bite. Experiment proves
that it is altogether the safest not to be bitten
at all. The disease often manifests itself in a
few weeks, but it may be months and even years,
before it deyelopes its true character. The wound
usually heals kindly as under ordinary circum-
stances, but after time an uneasy or painful
sensation is felt at the seat Of injury, and the
place becomes again an open sore.
The symptoms of hydrophobia vary somewhat
in different persons, but as the name implies,
there is always a fear of water, which is accom-
panied by spasmodic action of the muscles of
deglutition, preventing swallowing At the sight
or sonnd of water the victim is thrown into a vo-
lent spasm and rage of frenzy, which by frequent
repetitions exhausts and kills the patient 1t is
q dreadful disease, with horrible death at the
end of it, as there is absolutely no cure for the
malady. If any RECEIVERS it is by the merest
chance, as there is no remedy method of treat
ment known to antidote the poison. Not every
person, however, that is bitten by mad-dog
will have the disease, which is due to accidental
causes. If the bite is through the clothing the
virus of the saliva, which is secreted by the sal
| wary glands, may be wiped from the teeth in
their passage through the cloth, and so fail to
| enter the blood, which il must do before any
harm eau result. A free flow of blood from the
wound may likewise prove effieacious, by wash
ing away the poison.
Whatever is done in the way of treatment,
must be done instantly and thoroughly, the oh
ject being to destroy the poison, and so prevent
its entrance into the circulation. On the theory
that it possess acid properties, it is recommended
to apply some alkaline preparation to the wound,
Of which aqua ammonia is thought to be best.
But such treatment is by no means reliable. A
| better practice is TO Immediately cut away the
| bitten part, and then touch the wound with a
| strong caustic. This, however, can not always
at once be done, and if used later it becomes
| worthless as a remedy. The most convenient
and safest to pursue in such ease, partic-
nlarly in the absence of knife and caustic, is to
Immediately apply the lips to the wound, and by
process of sucking extract the virus. If the
person bitten is not able to do this himself, some
| one present should do it for him. There need be
no fear of harm resulting from such an act Of
kindness if the mucus. membrane of the mouth
and lips is whole: but if there be any sore in the
mouth abrasion of the lips, the risk of inocula-
ton should not be taken.
Under all circumstances it is safe to treat every
dog bite as though it were poisonous, and there
| by avoid the possibility of infection.-J. 4. NHHk,
H. d., in Topeka Capital.