The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-08-28
CHAPTER Xxx.
SUMMER COMPLAINTs-lcontinuedl.

CHAPTER LAX.
SUMMER coMpLAINTs-t continued).
In speaking of a certain eccentric free
thinker, witty French lady remarked that he
believed almost anything except the Bible"
In matters of health and disease. many Of our
countrymon might bo said to believe every
thing but the evidence Of their own senses
Plain truth, supported by the emphatic appeals
OF our natural instincts, is per55tently disro-
garded, while tho stran2cst illusions have been
accepted UuqucstionCd from generation TO gen
Grafton, even where the lack Of moro correct
Information is apt to result in sorioGs mischief
Tho oppressive Summer climate OF the North
American continent, for instance, has not yet
di5peled tho belief that suustrukes arc
caused onlyb tho direct effect of the solar rays
The truth Is that stufiy indoors heat is far more
apt to result in fatal Congostions of the brain,
especially when the influence of that heat is
aggravated by nOXiOus yapor5 or dust I ro-
member case where five persons employed in
large rope factory were almost simultaneously
overcome by tho heat OF a swcItorug afternoon
In August, while not single one of a full
hundred men and boys engaged in paving "A
new road was similarly affected. The road
cumming close by tho factory building) was
exposed to the ierco glare of the sun, while
the rope makers worked in the shade; but the
outdoor heat had been tempered by frequent
gusts OF wind, such as preccde a thunderstorm
J0yod no such modification Of their misery.
Measured by n thermometer, the outdoor air
might have proved several degrees warmer than
the indoor atmosphere, hut besides being loaded
with dust, that atmosphere was absolutely
stngnant, the windows having been kept closed
All day TO prevent the strands of cotton thread
from being disarrauged by drafts Of air.
e" 1t can't BIO aunstroke; that boy was work
ing in tho shade said tho mother Of one Of
the victims. lie didn't leave tho spiudle-room
alter dinner, she repeated still cinging to the
idea that the mischief could be caused only by
outdoor heat
A similar delusion is the very widespread
belief III the connection of dOgs-day heat
aud hydrophObia. The popular name OF the
Midsummer period originated in the mythology
OF the ancient Egyptians and their belief in
the mysterious influence OF the star Sirius tho
" dog-star ), but statistics, carefully collected
by the veterinary colleges of Afford and luu-
louise, established the curious fact that hydro
phobia occurs most frequently in the yettest
months OF the year; that is, in April, Noycm-
Der and December Cases, and even cpidemic5
and justified panics, OF genuine rabies occur
no doubt, IN summer often enough owing to
the circumstance that dogs and children are
most frequently associated in outdoor PLAYS
during the three WaTntst months Of the year;
but there Is by this time no reasonable doubt
That the origin OF hydruphObia is wholly indie
pendent Of the influence Of warm weather.
Dr watson, during 10 years residence in
the island OF Cyprus never heard OF a single
case OF rabies, aud became satisfied That the
very name Of the disease Is unknown 10 the
natives who nevertheless are slddlCd with
considerable multitude Of useless ours many
q them proving about, half wild, i'm hills
whore driukab,e wutsr is extremely scarce.
Captain Wissmau, the explorer OF tho German
coioucs Of Central Africa, noticed similar facts
ia The valley OF the Upper Congo Besides the
gannt watCh-dogs kept in the villages of the
natives, there are two species Of wild, dog like
animals, the CAMS RHyeii and the Cqis Piefus.
the latter a spcCkled, h1uud-like beast that
roaIns in large packs the table lands Of a coun-
try exposed 10 seasons of terrific heat whole
months when the thermometer climbs up TO
iU5 Fahrenheit, day after day. The springs
Of these platcaus are few and far between aud
IN dry weather often become too brHcka for
use. while the torrents OF thirst are aggravated
By whlrls OF hue supGrhcated sand clouds In
short, 81! the climatic conditions Of the country
would seem exquisiteiy adapted to the develop
ment oil rabies, yet that disease is not only
scarce but wholly unknown. Thirst aud ex-
cess Of heat often affect the domesticated dogs
wtha sort of mango but they do not go mad"
IheFe seems indeed, good deal OF truth in
the conjecture of u French naturalist who sug-
gcsts that hydrophobia may be caused by con
tinucd III treatment of our canine friends aud
foes. In Poland, where wolves are numerically
hunted the year round, many of them are sub
jcct 10 an aiillct!ou closely resembling rabies
and within the last few years the European pa
per5 reported at least dozen diiiereut cases of
wolves entering Polish or Russian villages and
attacking men aud children with reck less fury.
Hardly any such case has ever occurred in our
northwestern Territories, where wolves have
either whole wilderness all TO themselves or
are quickly eXtcrminatcd by the bullets of the
sharp shooting trontiorsmen. Another mis-
chievons dcluslon i5 the idea that a rabid dog
IS afraid of water. "Oh he's all right. he
drinks" saythe bystanders who see a suspected
cur lap up water by the washbasin full How
Il notion so contrary 10 fact could ever come
10 be generally accepted, would be difficult 10
explain. IL 10 were not for the circumstance
that ia certain stage of its development hy-
drophobia IN human beings involves a swelling
Of the iaucos aud difficulty in swallowing
water and other fluids. Ia some eases of un-
doubtedly genuine hydrophoba, persons have
been known 10 succumb to the disease without
botTayng any aversion 10 watcr-a symptom
which is often associated with a general lack
OF appetite. Mad dogs while refusing the most
tempting tidbts, not only drink water without
TepuEuHuce, but seem often torneutcl BY a
burning thirst. In trOttng along pike.road
they viii refuse bread or scraps of meat tossed
to them by a compassionate observer of their
ioTlorn appearance but will stop TO Stake
their thirst at every wayside puddle Not all ]
rabid dogs Will foam at the mouth either. and |
tho most reliable symptoms of the disease are
restlcssness, sulleuness, want of appetite and
Authorizations. The affected animal will con-
stantly change his posture, while evidently
seeking rest and retirement; will often ignore
the commands OF his master or leave his couch
only for moment and then stink back again
with whining growl. Swapping at the empty
air. as if troubled by distressing visions. is an
other suspicious symptom aud in many cases
an early stage of the disease betrays itself by
depraved appetites, AS gnawiDg of leather or
pieces of wood.
To Ia cOHi.uedl
The Union Veteran Legion.