Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-18


in swallowing owing to beginning paralysfa
of the muscles of the thfoat and lower jaw.
If he is not kihsd-h6 usually returns home
and the paralysis rapidly extending to the
muscles of the lower limbs and trunk and
involving those of respiration, he dies. The
usual duration of the disease Is from four
to five days, but may in very rare cases be
prolonged to ten. Wild animals, when af-
fected, become very audacious, and in the
cat the tiger-like ferocity predominates,
and in her attacks she flies at the face and
hands"
Period of Incubation.
Speaking of the period Of incubation, the
committee says it is variable one, de-
pending. Pasteur says. not upon any diff
ference in virulence Of the virus. but upon
the quantity absorbed. Hence It must also
depend upon the character. situation. num-
Der and severity of the bites. and this has
been found to be the case. Its duration in
man has been varicusly fixed at from Is,
20. 40 and 20 days to 2, 3, - and "a months.
and even longer. The practical point, states
the committee. is that 1t is usually of suf-
fcient duration to allow the bitten person
time to take the PaSteur treatment before
the development of symptoms, and of suf-
f1ciently indefinite duration to keep him in
state Of anxiety long after all probable
danger is passed.
As the symptoms of the disease are to be
relied upon more than the post-mortem
finding, and as it takes from fourteen to
twenty-One days for the laboratory test,
the suspected dog, II he has bitten other
dogs. and particularly II he has bitten a
person, says the committee, should not be
Killed, but confined where he can do no
damage. His death in a few days would.
the committee believes, be confirmatory of
rabies, while if he does not die it would be
positive evidence to the contrary.
Been known From Early Times.
Rabies" says the committee, has been
known from very early times, CELSIUS de-
scribing it, and thoroughly accurate &C
count of it appearing in an ancient Hindu
work, probably 10000 years ago. 1t existed
all through the middle ages and has pre-
vailed. and does now prevail, in nearly
every country in the world, Lapland, Aus
traia and islands in the Pacific being pos
sible exceptions. There are some sections
where the disease prevails all the time.
others where 1t is unknown, although it is
likely to be introduced at any time unless
the most vigorous quarantine is enforced
against it. In locations where 1T has ex-
listed it may nearly or entirely disappear,
only to break out afresh and perhaps be-
come epizootic, owing to its fresh intro
duction by some stray or imported dog. 1t
exists at all seasons of the year. OF $500
cases, there occurred 704 in the spring, ti21
in the summer. Cos in the autumn and 5S7
in winter
There are, says the committee. good and
sufficient reasons, owing to history the
law, etc, for believing that rabies has pre-
Ndiitu III tHlS 1'lSlTlct, at least at times, Tor
many years. and positive proof that 1t has
done so each year since and including 1895
For the bureau of animal industry demon
strated by the biological test its existence
In 1895 in two cases, in 1896 in five cases, in
1897 in three cases, in 1898 in seven cases.
in 1899 in nineteen cases, and in 1900 Ito
March 80 i'll fifteen cases. Since 1874 there
have been seven deaths of human beings
from hydrophobia in the District.
Amendments Suggested.
while approving in the MAN," says the
committee in conclusion, 1.-The laws now in
force In the District in regard to the keep
ing and licensing of dogs, as well as the
laws in regard to the prevention and sup
preston of contagious diseases among do
nestle animals, and while urging their
strict and impartial enforcement, would rec
ommend that they be modified or amended:
First, so as to prohibit dogs at all times
from appearing at large without muzZIes
upon the street, public highways or else
where.
Second. as to hold the owner liable
In clvi! action for any damage done by his
dog, whether record has been kept of said
dog or not at the collectors office.
Third. so as to require the poundmaster
to collect dogs during the night as well as
the day, to provide separate compar-
ment in the wagon and at the pound for
each dog and to destroy them in the most
humane and practical way possible.
Fourth, so as to provide for the proper
and safe keeping of any dog suspected of
having rabies, especially If it has bitten
other dogs or person. until it is deter
mined definitely whether he is rabid or not.
Moreover, your committee most heartily
approves of the recent order of the District
Commissioners requiring all dogs when at
large to be muzzled; but would urge most
rigid enforcement of the provision, as dogs
are often seen upon the streets, not only
with il-fitting and insecure muZZles, but
with none at all. especially at night
Furthermore, your committee would
urge that said order be continued in force,
II 1t can be done legally. until the enact
ment of the provision, previously recon-
Wended, in regard to the nluzZlng of dogs.
FINALLY. your committee wishes 1t dis
tinctly understood that IT is unequivocally
opposed to maltreating dogs or other ami
mails. or causing them to suffer in any way
unless II Is absolutely necessary for the
good of human society or their own good"