The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-09-12
HYDROPHOBIA!
Timely Words of Advice From
the "MedicaI World"

An accident having recently occurred
to little daughter of the writer, giving
rise TO very much anxiety, and attended
with serious danger, he feels impelled to
, present the following information in re-
| gard TO his most terrible disease. The
| subject is one of such importance that he
hopes that this Information, in some form,
may be published in every county paper
in the United States, for the further in
struction OF the laity, who seem to have
some very erroneous views regarding it.
There Is a genuine disease known as
rabies or hydrophobia. 1t Is as distinct
from mental influence as locomotor ataxia
or any other recognized disease. IL is a
disease affecting especially the central
nervous system, the brain and spinal
cord. 1t is an infectious disease,
always arising from incubation of
animals or man suffering from
the disease. This being true, intel
ligent and determined efforts, extending
over the entire country, would result in
it's final total extirpation. For this pur-
pose all unnecessary dogs or cats should
be humanely put to death. All stray dogs
or cats having no responsible ownership,
should also be put 10 death. All necessary
ones should be properly tagged, for
ready identification when necessary and
muz2led when required for safety. A high
dog tax is one of the most benehcent
forms OF taxation ever proposed, IL re-
lieves the community to thai extent from
the necessity of other forms of taxation,
and helps to eliminate surplus dogs. The
owner viii willingly pay the tax on those
animals that are really useful, while those
that are not worth the tax ought to be
put out OF the way.
The first symptom of the disease in
dog or other animal is n tendency TO roam.
Hence every stray dog is a suspicious
character, and should be looked after. III
he has not bitten any animal or person.
and no owner be found for him he should
be killed. However, IL he has bitten any
person or animal, he should not on any
account be killed, even although he is
supposed to be mad. BY thus kill
ing him you remove the only GER
tain means of diagnosis you have as
to whether he was rabid or not, and.
consequently, the only element of prog
noss you have as to the likelihood OF
those bitten by him to develop the disease.
The Importance OF this cannot be over
estimated. BE not too quick with the
gun OF CluD. tdpiuTt the uoR ana Cnaln
or pen him up. II he has rabies he
will soon distinctly show it, and
will be dead within ten days. This
will end the uncertainty, and all
the animals bitten by him should be killed.
and the persons bitten should be at once
put under The specific treatment. II he
proves not TO be rabid, great anxiety is
relieved, and the wounds may be regarded
as ordinary lacerated and puncturcd
wounds.
Two points must especially be borne in
mind. A rabid dog seldom fears water,
and he never has fits. A rabid man cam
not drink because OF n severe spasm OF the
throat. and after few painful attempts
he Acquires q fear or dread OF water. A
rabid animal, OH the other hand, seldom
has these laryngeal spasms, and he loves
water as Il helps TO cool his intense thirst.
AS TO tho fits, dogs have many nervous
disorders characterized by them, but they
do not occur in rabies. They have oc-
casional slight convulsive tremors. which
cannot be called "flts," NJ ordinarily
understood. A little courage. coolness
aud presence OF mind Will 20 long way
towards helping to determine any doubt
ful case.
Tho other wel-known symptoms of
madness will be observed: The animal
shows n change OF disposition. tendency
to eat strange things, tearing up clothing
and wood; there IL the peculiar hoarse
"rsbid" bark or howl. with extreme rest