The times., 1899-12-27

reports that on OF about the time specified boy
the farm IA question was bitten by a Tabid
dog.
Under date Of December q, 1899, the
same official, in another communication ad-
dressed TO the Commissioners. stated that
a dog in the possession Of DR.. Cecil French,
belonging to Mr.. George W. Brown, was
suffering with a disease which Dr. French
had that morning diagnosed as we'll
marked case of rabies,
In view Of the facts above stated. the
Commissioners felt that they were fully
justified in taking the action which las
been subject TO such criticism. The act
was evidently passed upon the theory that,
while inconvenience may result 10 CANNES,
yet the safety and well being OF human
beings. and especially Of little children
exposed on the streets unattended, 10 the
danger Of being bitten by rabid dogs was
paramount consideration. The Commls-
sioners had to execute the law.
The following discussion Of suffering
10 human beings from hydrophobic cases
was prepared by an eminent member Of
the Washington medical profession, and
would seem 10 be apTopos to a discussion
of this subject:
II the sufforings Of brute with This disease
Vitilble, those Of human being rcnd the
/ heart gf tla most CallUus- The awful sensations
Of father OF a mother, a brother or . sister, or
even oi the physician used TO scenes of suffering
and DEATH cJn0t be described. To stand hy The
bedside If one who Is dear TO as. or even one
who is connected 10 us only hy the Ties which
bind all humanity together, and L. realize that
death must come Is awful under any ctsin-
( stances, but when associated with the feelings
OF hulpleSnCSS there is the evidence of the most
( awful agony which reach the poor human
I fTamc-uo words can cali up the terror and
/ the pity of the scene in the mind of one who
4 has not experienced IT, The anxiety which has
existed 80 the mind of the patient ever since
. the receipt Of the injury has suddenly changed
lute depression and melancholy. and he has a
sense Of impending danger. he is irritable and
slclp.e-s, 3 bright light distrgsses him; d loud
sound jars en- his unstiuug nerves But this is
only the beginning. soon bis Tritahility has
become reStlessHesS, and now breath OF air or
a heavy football vii throw HIM into coH-
YUlsICn. II Consciousness would only depart, wc
would bee relieved; but it viii not. and the poor
mind knows the approach of oaCh Spa~m the
anguish oi kind friends and dear relatives about
Im, the cradual-the an too gradual-the iu-
eEl;ahlc end. Except in rare instances, when
ln3nlatai cHftreaks may occur, there b. no effort
10 lHfuIe attendants. but on The contrary the
sufferer may DO hIs best 20 avoid doing But
such aEouy is too much for flesh and blood The
mu5cits cannot react forever. nor can the brain
endure IN frame tomenJed. Unconscious
ness and death come as q welcome relief
And In the face OF TINS disease when once
established medical science is powalless. The
cleaning of the wound and its subsequent cauteI-
izliiou with csusjic potash or carbolic acid. may
prevent the virus from finding its way to the
system Paacur treatment may neuTsGze its
effect when IT has gained entrance But when the
poison has begun 10 react, when the irritability
and tie oouvUisi0us nave appeared. the physician
can only stand by and give chloral and chloro-
form and like remedies. and see that the patient
! is kept quiet until nature is exhausted and
death has claimed his victim. For the disease
/ is hepclcS>lv incurable
Il submit these extracts from the law
/ and these facts to the public because
/ have absolute faith in the sense of jus
/ tice of the people OF the District of Column
bia. when they are fully advised with re-
/ gard 10 such situation as that which now
1 exists. II the Commissioners are mis-
/ aiken. ] viii be glad to have the intelli-
/ gent people Of the District state wherein
( they have erred"