The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-18
CONSIDER THE DOG.
He Does Not Go Mad These Days.
The Reasons.
From "Our Animal Friends"

FROM our amman fTlenQS.
Now, the very first observation we
have to make on this subject is that there
are no such days in the years calendar as
dog days" There are no days on which,
and there is no kind of weather during
which a dog is peculiarly liable to rabies.
Rabies is a rare disease at all seasons of
the year. and there are no more cases of
rabies in July or August than in Decem-
Der or January. 1t follows. therefore, that
there is no more reason to dread our fam
lily friend the dog, in hot weather than in
cold, and no more reason to dread hydro
phob!a from his bite at one time Of the
year than at another. The phrase dog
days is a false and mislt fading phrase,
which all humane persons ought to avoid
In the interest of the dog.
We have said, and We req eat that hy-
drophobia is one OF the raresh of diseases;
and that when 1t appears to be developed,
we believe it, in the vast mai ority Of cases,
to be a simulated disease produced by
morbid Imagination. We do not go so far
as TO assert that 1t is never caused by the
bite of a rabid ANIMAL and, therefore, we
would advise that all proper care should
be taken to destroy, without delay. all
animals that are affected vita rabies. Yet,
here again, We must recall ihe fact that
rabies itself is one OF the rar est of all the
diseases with which dogs ard other ami
mails 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 terror.
In the thirty years since the American
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals was established our officers
and agents have been Constantly on
the outlook, but no undoubted case of
rabies has ever fallen urder their OBJ
servation, or within their knowledge;
aann - -
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 are rare in this city and in this
state; but there is such a disease, and
II is important for the public, well
as yourself, that you should know whether
a sick dog is or is not rabid. If you will
note the following facts You Will have
no difficulty. You will probably lind them
to be quite different from the popular
fancies by which most persons are mis-
led.
l. It 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 it. and
laps ID with difficulty.
2. 1t is supposed that a rnad dog runs
about with evidence of intense excite
ment. 1t is not so. The mad dog never
.
| he is always alone, usually in a strange
| place, where he joys along slowly. If he
| is approached by dog or man, he shows
no sign of excitement, but when the dog
or man is near enough he snaps and re-
| sumes his solitary trot.
g. IL the dog banks, yelps, whines or
| growls that dog is not mad. The only
sound mad dog is ever known to emit
| is hoarse howl, and that Is but seldom.
| Even blows will not eXtort an cutlery
| from mad dog. Therefore, il any dog,
under any circumstances, utters any other
/ sound than that or hoarse howl, that
| doz is not mad.
T. It's supposed that the mad dog froths
at the mouth. II is not so. IL a dogs
| laws are covered or fecked with white
| froth. that dog is not mad. The surest
of all signs that a dog is mad is a thick
and ropy brown mucus clinging to his lips.
| which he often tries vainly to tear away
with his paws, or to wash away with
water.
s. If your dog is bitten by any other
| dog. watch him carefully. If he is infect
| ed by rabies you will discover signs of 1t
possibly in from six TO ten days. Then he
| win be restless, often getting up only to
| lie down again. changing his position i'm
patiently turning from side to side, and
I constantly licking or scratching some par
| ticular pan OF his head, limbs or body He
| will be irritable and inclined 20 dash at
other animals, and ne VIII sometimes snap
| at objects which he imagines to be near
| him He viii be excessively thirsty. lap
ping water eagerly and often Then there
/ will be glandulaar sweiiings about his
! Jaws and throat. and he will vainly en-
| deavor 70 rid himself Of a thick. ropy, mu-
cous discharge from the mouth and
| throat. II he can he viii probably stray
away from home, and trot slowly and
mournfully along the highway or across
country fneddiing with neither man nor
beast. unless they approach him. and then
| giving a single snap. The only exception
| TO this behavior occurs In ferocious dogs,
which, during the earlier stage OF excite
mont, may attack any living object in
sight.