The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-02-12
JOB PRINTING
WISCONSIN STATE NEWS.
Recent Cases of Hydrophobla.

Recent Cases of Hydrophobia.
The folio wing report on hydrophobia was
presented to the State Board of Health at
its recent session in Madison by Y. T. At
kinson, the State veterinarian:
To the Honorable State Board Of Health Of
Observation-Disclosures: In compliance with
resolution passed by your board at recent
meeting, have made Investigations concern
ing the existence and spread of hydrophobia
in this State. The most alarming reports OF
the disease came from Milwaukee, where IL
has created considerable alarm. On the 18th
of April large Newfoundland dog, supposed
to be mad, made circuit of the northwest
part of the city, and was killed by the police
after he had bitten several children and an
unknown number of dogs. The only symptom
of NYdroph0bia that could establish was a
disposition to snap and bite all that came in
his way, but no disposition to remain and
Tight invariably swapping and pursuing his
journey. A poSt-nortem examination re-
vealed evidence of a morbid appetite and
2landular enlargement. Two days later
small Spitz dog developed similar symptoms,
and traversed about the same part of the
city. aud was killed after biting two persons
and several dogs. The wounds of six of the
seven children bitten by the first dog received
immediate medical attention. Whether those
bitten by the smaller dog did or not could not
ascertain However, no evil results have fol-
lowed in any of these cases. All the dogs
known to have been bitten By either of these
dogs were imu ediately destroyed. There was
no further cause for alarm till November IL.
when large dog went through the same part
of the city, showing the same symptoms, and
after biting either one or two boys aud sew
eral dogs was killed. December 10 another
large dog. acting sim larlv, made a tour of the
same part of the city. Several dogs but no
persons were bitten These are the only
cases of which l could learn IN which
symptoms were developed that could justify
a reasonable suspicion of the existence OF
hydrOphobia The sergeant at the West-Side
police station informed me that his men had
killed seventy-four dogs known to have been
bitten some of which were thought to be de-
Weeping the earlier symptoms of the disease.
Joseph Thorp. aged nine years. bitten No
vember IL, died December 16 attended by DR..
Dorland This case was seen by Drs. Mason,
Ogden. Martin and Williamson, all of whom
pronounced it hydrophobia. except DIR. Will
hanson, who expressed some doubt
George Tachenschmidt died of by drophobia
November p. He was bitten about the same
time as the Thorp boy, and it is thought by the
same dog.
In December a man named Kruse died.
showing well-marked symptoms of hydro-
phob.a. He had been bitten by his own dog,
which was suffering from the disease.
An aged lady named Mrs. Lucht was bitten
by a strange dog win Gil she discovered in her
cellar After biting her the dog attacked
child standing near by. but lid not wound
her. Mrs Lucht was taken i'll about six weeks
after aud died January T. Her attending phy-
sician, DR.. Richards, says she died of hydro
phobia.
A farmer named Hill in the town of New
ton, Manitowoc County, was bitten in the
phObia and d ed about the LIST of December,
showing all the symptoms OF that disease. An
other member of the same family, bitten by
the. same dog in such a way that the teeth
passed through the clothing before entering
the flesh, has shown no symptoms OF the dis
ease yet.
To sum up the evidence: The history of the
symptoms in any one dog, although very sus-
picious, would not be sufficient to satisfy me
of the existence of hYdrophubia. But when
we take into account the fact that several
similar cases haye developed in the same part
of the city within few months. and that CO.
incident thereto four persons bitten bg dogs
showing such symptoms have been attacked
and died OF disease which the attend ,ng
physc ans pronounce hydrophobia ia every
case, and those called in consultation, or who
may have seen cases. concur with the attend
ing phys Clans, except in two instances it
seems to me that there is evidence enough OF
the disease and cause for alarm.
ANY danger there NAV have been has now, I
think, passed. Since the first appearance OF
the disease the police have killed two hundred
and eighteen dogs They are now operating
under an ordinance which makes it their d1ty
to kill all unmuzzled dogs found running at
large. Respectfully submitted
V. T. ATKINSON, V. s., State Veterinarian.