The Wilmingtonian., 1885-05-30
NOMADIC DOGS.
The Danger to which fhe Public is Daily
Liable on Account of Stray and
Unmuzzied Dogs.

Der. They are as worthless as they are nu-
merous and unbeautiful.
The climate of Wilmington appears to be
more advantageous to the condition of
quantity than quality in the produ ction of
the genus canis.
Many of our citizens own dogs, and, also,
many OF the dogs inhabiting this borough
have no masters. There are dog tramps as
we'll as human ones that roam the streets all
day and lead a complete nomadic life.
Not week passes now but the record is
of some person or other being bitten by
dog. The latest instance is that of little
school girl in the Second Ward.
Does City Council recognize that it has
possibly great responsibility in this case
it. 1t is better that all the dogs in Whining
ton were exterminated than that single lit
tie girl lose her life. Yet she may-but it
is certain that the dogs of the city will re-
main uumuzzled!
Is it possible for City Council to take this
subject seriously and practically in hand
and push the matter before they get too cold
upon it,
If people wish to keep dogs let them keep
them on their premises, but when on the
streets they should be muzzled.
Hydrophobia is the most fearful malady to
which the human family is liable.
If any one disease is more terrible than
another it is hydrophobia. The remark has
been mado that "typhoid fever is luxury
in comparison" In all other diseases, there
exists, during the critical period, numb
ness of the nerve centres, whereas in hydro
phobia the attack comes while the subject
is in full vigor Of physique. The most terri
BILE agony presents itself simultaneously
when the organs are most abundantly fitted
to suffer. There is a refinement of cruelty
in this malady.
| In all nervous diseases there is provident-
tally gradual preparation for death by a
bunting of the nerve centres and concur
rent exhaustion. Comparatively speaking
there is no suffering. Hydrophobia and
Traumatic Tetauus, OF lockjaw, are excep-
tions to this rule.
Those who have had the experience of see
ing any human bee g suffering in the con-
vulsions of this terrible disease have not
much patience with the false sentimentality
of people who discriminate in favor of dogs as
against their fellow beings. The writhing ag-
ony of poor innocent little child is forgot
ten in order that a gross oyerfed repalsive
brute of che pug species may perpetuate its
useless existence in the demand of frivolous
fashion.
The sight of strong man in his virile,
muscular strength suddenly taken in the
commissions of this terrible malady, should
be an immediate lesson as it is the most sad
to us all. The unfortunate's head is thrown
back in the intensest writhing agony he is
bent double his head touching his heels,
while the air resounds with post terrific
screams of acutest pain.
The sbarpest nerve consciousness, that is
ability to suffer pain exists throughout these
commissions; while slight breath OF air or
the sight of water will cause the fits to re-
commence. The blood vessels of the brain
are ruptured sometimes with the intense
ness of suffering, or internal hemorrhage oc-
ours from the frightful bodily contortions.
And from this terrible fate there is absolute
Iy no salvation,
Death intervenes from exhaustion result
ing from the intense pain and tor
ture. Yet there are numbers of our fellow be-
ings who hesitate as to what is their duty in
this matter.
Those of our citizens who own valuable
dogs are in great peril in regard to there
canine property, on account of the number.
less worthless ours that roam the
streets.
Even the registering of dogs is very little
of an amelioration of the danger of hydro.
phobia. 1t acts only in the sense of reduc.
ing the dog population of the city, and that
only upon the hypothesis that the dog tax il
vigorously exacted and the dog catcher does
his duty.
There should be city ordinance that all
dogs be muzzled while OH the streets, and
that the owners of dogs who disobey the or
dinance be subjected to heavy pen
atty. The dog need not be muzzled while KEPT
in its owners yard, but hile it is on the
public streets the brute should be liable te
. some such ordinance as the one suggest.
: ed. =
Those who wish to keep dogs and run the
risk of hydrophobia will thus be enabled tc
crafty their fancies, and at the same tint
protect their fellow citizens who object tC
r the risk referred to.
Delaware State Medical Society.
n The Ninety Sixth Annual Session of tn,
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