The times., 1899-12-20

An order was promulgated by the Com
mtssioners yesterday regarding the muz-
zling Of all dogs in the District The order
was issued under authority given the mu-
nicipal authorities in the act Of Congress
approved June l9, 1873 relating to the ere
alton of revenue for the District by the
taxing Of dogs. and other purposes. The
Commissioners state that for six months
after date all dogs running at large in the
District of Columbia shall be securely muz-
zled to prevent biting and swapping. and
that animals found not wearing muzzles
shall be impounded by the District Pound
master and held for redemption in the
same manner as they arc now held. and for
the same fee" This regulation applies to
dogs with tags as well as to those with
out and the District authorities promise
that il shall be TigidIy enforced
This action of the Commissioners was
not unexpected, as it, was stated in The
Times last week that such a course wcuId
be pursued if the forthcoming report of
the Health Officer would Justify extreme
measures The report was made 10 the
Commissioners ON Saturday and was read
and approved by them on Monday. Yes
terday the order was formulated and ap-
proved, and late in he afternoon il was
issued for publication. The report of Dr.
Woodward containing the advice he gave
the Commissioners on the matter is as fol-
lows:
Definite records have been kept as TO the
number of known cases of rabies which
have occurred in this jurisdiction since July
], 1895. Such records have been based en-
tirely upon post mortem findings they do
not include any case in which there has not
been ineontrovertible evidence of this dis
ease. On the other hand il may be ac-
cepted without question that cases have oc-
CURED which have not come 10 the knowl-
edge Of he Health Department, since dogs
die of hydrophobia without the nature Of
the malady being recognized OF even sus-
pected. and because in some cases. where
suspicion has arisen, the condition of the
body. when it hes cone into the possession
Of this department. has been such as 10 pre-
vent necessary post mortem tests The
records above referred to must b consid-
cred, therefore, merely as affording an in
deN tC the prevalence Of this diseasa in the
District OF Columbia. and nor as showing
the entire number Of cases which have oc-
Cured
4 detailed statement Of the number Of
cases Of rabies that has been reported TO
the Health officer during the last four
years is then given and the report con
tinues
The cases which have been reported
during The present fiscal year have oc-
CURED as follows: july. none; August 1;
September, none October .: November,
.; December, from 1st to 9th. inclusive. ,
As there is no reason 10 believe That the
increase In The prevalence cf rabies in this
District as shown by the above statement
is due 10 an increase in the number OF
cogs these figures seem to show thar
there has been q marked increase in the
prevalence OF this disease iu the District
Of Columbia during the past Iwo years,
bo,h absolutely and relatively. and this in
crease has been particularly marked since
the beginning Of the current fiscal year
Rabies is generally recognized as q
contagious disease. which is acquired only
by contact direct or Indirect with a pre-
existing case. While ii may exist in va
rious species Of wild and domestic ami
mails. in civilized communities at least the
dog is the usual medium through which 1t
is propagated and spread. II may be aC-
rCptcd as a fact therefore that each Of
the ten animals which have been killed
since July ] last and which have been
proved TO have had rabies, have been bit
zen or wounded bF some OIltl animal OF
animals, suffering from that disease; or
that they have had d wound or wounds in
fected by saliva from such an animal.
There is no doubt in my mind thar ac-
tuaI cases OF rabies exist in this District
al the present time and it is certainly be
yond question chat there is good reason for
believing so.
The above facts are respectfully submit
led for the consideration Of The Commis-
si0ners in connection with the provisions
OF section + Of an act to create a revenue
in the District OF Columbia 10y levying a
tax on all dogs therein, etc. q Sup. R. s.
3-D. which requires them under certain
conditions to issue an order requiring hat
all dogs shall, for period to be defined
in the order. wear good. substantial muz-
zies securely put on, so as TO prevent them
from biting and swapping.