Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1897-09-16
NO DOG DAYS.
And Mad Dogs Are Few and Far
Between.
So Says a ReIiR BILE Authority on such
Matters-Hence We should Not
Cry mad Dog" Too
soon.

there are no such days in the years cal
endar as dog days" There are no
days on which, and there is no kind OF
weather during which, a dog is pecul-
iarly liable to rabies Rabies is a rare
disease at all seasons of the year, and
there are 10 more cases of rabies in
July or August than IN December or
January. 1t follows, therefore, that
there Is no more reason to dread our
family friend. the dog, In hot weather
than in cold, and no more reason TO
dread hydrophobia from his bite at one
time Of the year than at another. The
phrase "dog days" is d false and mis-
leading phrase, which all humane per
sons ought to avoid in the interest of
the dog.
We have said, and we repeat, that
hydrophobia is one of the rarest of dis
eases; and that when it appears TO be
developed, we believe it, in the vast ma
jority Of cases, to be simulated dis
ease, produced by a morbid imagina-
ton. We do not go so far as to assert
that it is never caused by the bite of
rabid animal; and therefore we would
advise that all proper care should be
taken to destroy without delay all am
imals that are affected with rabies. Yet
here again we must recall the fact that
rabies itself is one of the rarest of all
the diseases with which dogs and other
animals are affected. When we hear
the cry of Mad dog!" the chances are
millions to one that the dog Is not mad;
it is the people who are mad with ter
ror.
In the 30 years since the American
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals was established our officers
and agents have been constantlyon the
outlook, but no undoubted case Of
rabies has ever fallen under their OBJ
servation or within their knowledge;
and OF over 10000 dogs and other
small animals which have been cared
for at our shelter during the past three
years, not one single case of rabies has
been found. These facts sufficiently
prove that rabies is rare in this city and
in this state. but there issuch a disease,
and il Is important for the public, as
well as yourself. that you Should know
whether q sick dog rsor Is not rabid. If
you viii note the following facts you
viii have no difficulty. You will prob
ably find them 70 be quite different
from the popular fancies by which most
persons are misled-
1. II is supposed that a mad dog
breads water. 1t Is not so. The mad
dog is very likely TO plunge his head TO
the eyes in water. though he cannot
swallow II and laps IL with difficulty
.. 1t is supposed that a mad dog runs
about with evidences of intense excite
ment. It is not so. The mad dog never
runs about in agitation: he never gal
lops; he is always alone, usually in
strange place. where he joys along
slowly IF he Is approached by dog or
man ne shows no sign Of excitement.
but when the dog or man is near enough
he snaps and resumes his solitary trut.
3. II a dog barks. yelps, whfnes or
grows that dog is not mad. The only
sound a mad dog is ever known 70 emit
IS a hoarse howl. and that but seldom.
Even blows viii not extort an outcry
from mad dog. Therefore, II any dog,
under any circumstances. utters any
other sound than that Of hoarse howl,
that dog is not mad
4. It IS supposed that the mad dog
froths at the mouth It Is not so. If a
dogs Jaws are covered or flecked with
white froth. that dog is not mad. The
surest Of all signs that dog is mad is a
thick and ropy brown mucus clinginc
70 his lips. which he often tries vainlyto
tear away with his paws or to wash
away with water.
,sst,rs .,,,,-,, i a..
other dog. watch him carefully. II he
is infected by rabies You will discover
signs Of it possibly In from six TO ten
days. Then he VIII be restless, often
getting up only 10 lie down again.
changing his position impatiently,
turning from side to side, and constant
u licking or scratching some particular
part Of his head. limbs. or body. He
viii he irritable and inclined 70 dash AZ
other animals. and he Will sometimes
snap at objects which he imagines to be
near him. He Viii be excessively thirsty
tapping water eagerly and often. Then
there viii he glandular swelliugs about
his jaws and throat. aud he will valniy
endeavor 70 rid himself Of thick. ropy.
mucous discharge from his mouth and
throat. 1.-The can he VIII probably stray
away from home ard trot slowly airi
mournfully along the highway 81
across country, meddlng with neither
man nor beast unless they approach
him, and then giving single snap. The
only exception 20 this behavior occurs
II terocions dogs, which, during the
earlier stage Of excitement. may at
tao. any living object in sght.--OuI
Animal Fy-leryls