Arizona republican., 1895-11-03
Troubles of the DenizenS
 of the Desert.
Hydrophobia Communicated by
 SkunkS.
The Disease Is Unknown in Arizona Save Among the Odorous
 FelineS.


 of Arizona have rabies. It is cruel blow at Arizona, for in the descriptions of her climate the supposedly vera cious narrator usually adds: And mad dogs and even cattle, and all ithin few est of weather"
 The coyote of Arizona is not the Ne vada article, celebrated by the pens of Bret Harte and Twain. He is just as noisey, just as omniverous and just as fleet, but has not the retiring nature of the sagebrush states denizen. The Arizona coyote, though not especially social in disposition, is yet not in the least afraid of man, and seeks his food even into the barnyard of the farmer. For dogs he appears to feel an utter contempt. Few are the hounds worthy of doing battle with even the most diminutive coyote and woe is upon the cur that essays a lonely excursion into the coyote region.
 Rabies is usually caused by summer heat. The idea of a coyote being over come by heat is something that will immensely tickle an Arizonan. And, again, it seems ridiculous that an ami nal that will uncomplainingly exist upon a diet of horned toads, Gila Monsters ands rattiesnakes should be affected by any manner of poison.
 The hydrophobia exists, however, and can be accounted for only on the presence of the disease among the smaller species of skunk, so common in the hills of Arizona Most of these small animals are afflicted with pc culiar madness, disagreeably manifest ed by attacking especially mankind. Prospectors and cowboys, sleeping on the hills, have in dozen instances been bitten by the vicious creatures, and thereafter at least six have died with all the symptoms of hydrophobia. Several were saved Iby at once going to the hydrophGbia hospitals of the east and others experienced no evil effects.
 For the last few vars Arizona has known a plague of skunks in her mountain region. They have been of three kinds, the large black, the large striped gray and the small spotted cat Naturally the settlers gun has been materially assisted in the work of ex- termination by the dog, the wolf and the coyote, all natural enemies of the cat tribe. If these animals ar bitten, the disease of course is communicated. The coyote in several instances, under the influence of the virus has bitten and even cattle, and all within few days have showed evidence of hydro phobia.
 These cases are infrequent, however and it is doubtful if ever any consider able portion of the coyote tribe has been afflicted. The coyote is wise-far more so than the general run of the canine family, and is not likely to as sociate very closely with the rabid members of his tribe The disease quickly kills, and the buzzards do the rest.
 The banks of the mountain streams still are infested, however, with the spotted skunk, which, despite all dis arrangements, ever strives to cultivate a closer intimacy with man. He is dreaded more than the rattlesnake, is killed at every opportunity and in the course of years will become extinct.
 Hydrophobia, such as is common in the east during the hot season, is un- known in the southwest. There is no lack of heat, but the heavy moist at m0sphere necessary to hydrophobic de- velopment is lacking. Therefore, bar ring skunks, hydrophobia in Arizona must ever be known as communi- cated disease.