The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-08-05
Mad Mules and HAD Dogs.

Atlanta has been suffering from an un-
usual spell Of very warm weather, and
many of the horses and mules en-
ployed on the streets have been serious
ly affected by it. Dr. Cook, veterinary
surgeon, is quoted as saying that every
summer he had some cases of sunstroke
among them, but that 1.-THE record has
hesn broken during the present heated
term, as he has more cases OF the kind
than he has ever had before" On Thurs
day Of this week he attended seven cases,
and during the past week he had not less
than twenty cases. The Atlanta Journal
reports that about third of the animals
worked by tho sanitary department have
been affected with sunstroke within the
past few days, and many other horses
and mules have succumbed to the heat.
1t is worth noting, as sustaining our
contention that Charleston, despite the
usual difference Of one or two degrees in
oy the weather service, is really cooler
than Atlanta, that while the mules and
horses in Atlanta have been suffering in
such numbers We have not heard Of 9
case Of sunstroke among those 10 Charles
.op. 1t is to be presumed that the people
of the two places feel the heat in the same
proportionate degree. The matter TO
which We wish to call attention particu.
larly, however, Ia the Journars report Of
the conduct and treatment ofa mule AZ
fscted by sunstroke, which is given as an
example of such cases. 1t says:
1.-THE animal bad become droway while
at work in tho sun, and the driver no
ticed from his labored breathing that
there was something wrong. He report
ed the case to Chief Veal. The mulo was
taken 70 vacant lot, and there he soon
became wild and unmansgeable. He
dashed about in frantic manner, and it
was with the greatest difficulty that he
could be held to keep from inflicting se-
rious injury upon his body. DR. Cook
was sent for, and began to treat the mule.
che struggles OF the poor beast, whose
brain seemed on fire, were pisiful. His
eyes rolled in o maniacal manner, and
his frame shook with nervous rigors.
After considerable trouble and the use Of
ropes the mule was thrown to the earth,
and held there by ak stout men. He
struggled TO free himself, but his captors
held him fast. A big blanket was thrown
about his body 80 IS TO get him in sweat
and then quart of whiskey was poured
ice was placed on his head and then held
there.
stFor some little time the mule was
frenzied, and then began 70 accumulate
jag Of respectable proportions. A far
away, dreamy 10. ( came into his eyes, to
take the place Of the frepzled expression
that reigned there. He mosned in
,naudlin fashion and made nc effort to
rise, seeming TO be rather pleased than
otherWise at the treatment he was receiv-
ing. After q time the body Of the animal
was wet with sweat, and the doctor pro-
uounced him better. The Ice was kept
on his head for two hours, and then he
seemed 30 much better that 1t was re
moved and the mule was allowed to rise.
He seemed all right, with the exception
Of the jag he had accumulated, for he
staggered around in most approved
'asbiou. This morning he is out OF
danger"
This information should be useful on
occasions to farmers and others who can
not readily command the services of ve-
uerinarian, and we print it for that rea-
son. It may be of interest, however, In
another relation. In all the cases where
they are 30 seriously affected by the heat,
says the Journal, the horses aud mules
exhibit the "frenzy" aud "maniacal man
ner" described. In one case the mule
Crushed up TO the back door OF @ store and
tried to enter, but was beaten back" and
IN all cases unless relief is afforded the
frenzy continues until death epsues. The
point we would make Is that II these
mules had been dogs they would have
been pronounced "mad," and would
have been shot instanter by policeman
or the first man who could get a gun for
the purpose. It is not unreasonable to
suppose that many of the dogs which are
killed as victims Of "rabies" are suffering
from sunptroke instead. The dogs bite
IN such condition, 1t 10 true, and the
mules do not, and it is as we'll to take no
chances; but it is probably true never
theless that the same cause produces the
freuzy in both cases, and that many val
liable dogs might be saved in the hot ses-
son If their owners were only consider
ale enough to provide them with cool
quarters, lnstesd Of O corner IN super
heated back yard, and with reasonably
cool water to dr;uk ut all hours.-Ne,oS
and H0nEie7-