The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-03-06
PETS SPREAD DISEASE.

Many Cases of Scarlet Fever. Diph thefia
and Other Msiadies Traced to Cats
A common cause of the widespread
been traced to an unusual and uDsus-
peoted source. 1t has been found that
cats and other household pets are re-
sponsible for the scattering of the mi.
crobes of contagious disease.
Household pets are IN the habit of
wandering out of doors, even when the
most careful vigilance is kept over them.
Cats and dogs especially are In the habit
of taking nocturnal excursions to gar.
bage-laden alleys and into the very cen.
trail point of disease and contagion
They have peculiar penchant for max
ing daily calls at our neighbours house,
especially when encouraged to come for
the sake of entertaining a sick child.
Cats, more particularly than dogs, on
account of their domestic habits, have
long been suspected of being a partial
factor in conveying infection. Ply.
sicians and students have of late be-
gun series of investigations where
picions. And they have inaugurated a
crusade against any sort of living thing
in the way of pet, to prevent their
incursion and excursion where there ia
disease
Careful investigation has proved that
great part of the diphtheria prevalent
in the city and nearly all of the scarlet
fever has been traced to cats. They not
only are subject to the disease itself,
but are also the means of direct trans
ference OF microbes. But diphtheria
and scarlet fever contagion has not
been the sole extent of the evil. Several
cases of smallpox have been reported
by health officers in different parts of
the country which have been brought
about IN the same way, that is, by a cat
from an infected house bringing dis
ease to the family of neighbor. An
other case is reported in Chicago of
contagion where a rabbit was loaned
as plaything to child with measles.
Later the innocent dumb beast was sent
back, carrying death in its very contact,
through the thoughtlessness and igno-
ance of both families concerned. In
Vulnerable cases of deadly typhus have
been met with which have been induced
by the same means. Yet people con-
hnue to wonder at the spread of dis
ease, and in their criminal carelessness
permit their household pets to wander
about at liberty. Medical journals have
been aroused, of course, by the reports
Of investigators, and by vigorous edi-
torials and reports of specific cases are
trying to warn the community at least
against terrible and newly unearthed
evil. French publications have offered
their assistance in the crusade. Con-
siderable space was given to a peculiar
case OF a seamstress in Paris, who, in
her solitude and loneliness. was in the
habit of permitting her dog 10 lick her
face. At one time her pet, who was a
large st. Bernard, remained away
whole week from the protecting roof of
his mistress. On his return her Joy
was so unbounded that she fondled him
more than ever. Suddenly she was at
tackled with a severe Inflammation Of
the right eve. The cause was unknown.
Several oculists were visited and con-
suited, but the treatment in every case
was unsuccessful. The right eve be-
came a swollen, hideous mass, and the
sight was totally destroyed. In the
course of time, the inflammation began
TO spread 70 the left eye, and 20 prevent
the certain fatal influence the other eve
was cut out. Upon careful examina-
ton a hideous discovery was made
Within the member, back of the cornea,
was found a tapeworm. This the dog
had probably picked up while licking
some diseased and foul object when
away from home, and had transferred !
it on his return TO his mistress cheek I
Cats and dogs are known 70 be indis- !
criminste and careless in the choice Of /
objects on which they exercise their |
tongues. Then, on account Of their /
zeal in licking the hands and faces OF /
their masters, great danger lies in the 1
transmission of parasites. Contagion /
by this means Is simple and easy, and IL /
is marvellous that a greater amount Of 4
hideous parasitic disease has not been 4
the result.-Chicago Times-Herald