The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-10
THE Dog NUZZLE ORDER
Edict of the Commissioners Dis
cussed in the Senate.
The Citizens Petition Submitted by
Mr. GaIIinEer, Who Declares the
Police Regulation Unnecessary
and Unjust Views of Messrs.
Vest and WoIcott ON HSdropbobIa.

The recent order OF the Commissioners
requiring the muzzllng of dogs in the Dis
trict Of Columbia, was the subject Of an
animated discussion in the Senate yester-
day in which Messrs Gallinger, Vest
Warren, Wolcott, and Bacon took part The
question as to the existence and prevalence
of the disease known as hydrophohia or
rabies, was the subject of marked differ
ences Of opinion among some Of the Sen
ators mentioned. and for more than half
an hour a lively debate was carried on. in
which these opinions were expressed and
supported.
The subject was brought up by Mr. Gal
finger, who submitted petition signed by
two thousand citizens OF the District. ask
ing that the Commissioners dog muzzling
order be rescinded. At the time of present
ing the petition Mr.. Gallinger read the let
ter Of transmittal which accompanied IT,
and which stated that the document was
first sent to the District Commissioners by
resolution OF a mass meeting Of the own
ers and friends Of the dog held al the Ma
tional Rifles Armory. on the 30th ultimO
The Commissioners, in acknowledging
the receipt Of the petition, said on ac-
count of the fact that the subject is being
considered by committee Of the Senate
they did not deem il advisable 10 take any
steps looking to a resembling of the order
pending the action Of the committee The
petition was then forwarded to NJ. Gal
linger to be presented to the Senate After
reading the letter explaining these facts
the Senator said that he desired TO say
further that he believed the dog muzzling
order to be unnecessary, cruel ana unjust
and that he hoped steps would be taken
by the Commissioners Of the District 10
have il done away with.
In thirty years practice as a physician"
declared Mr.. Gallinger. Il have never seen
one ease Of hydrophobia. and | have talked
with a large number Of the most eminent
physicians and surgeons who have spent
many years in hospitals, and VINO have
made the same statement. Or. Mary Put
nam Jacob. who. for a long time. has
pracjiced medicine in New York In her
testimony before the District Committee
few days ago, stated that she had never
seen single case OF this disease. II is
Of such rare occurrence that. though we
sometimes hear of cases Of so-called hydro
phobia, It is very difficult 10 find instances
where authentic proof can be had Of its
existence"
Mr.. Vest made a few remarks ON he
subject ia which he said that he had sat
beside a friend who died under circum-
stances which indicated that he had rabies
He had shown all Of the symptoms usually
attributed 10 the disease. having frojhed
at the mouth, had an aversion 10 water
and barked like a dog.
Mr.. Vest replied that some OF the best
known physicians In Kentucky had pro-
nounced the case to be hydrOphobia. He
said that he knew the disease was q very
rare one. and was glad that God. in his
mercy. had made II a rare malady, FOR
otherwise il would be the curse Of the
whole human family. II there was any
possibility OF one person getting hydro
phobia be would be In favor OF muzzling
every dog in the country. He said he
knew there were some persons who paid
as much as $500 or 81 600 for a dog. and
he supposed that this objection to the
muzzles came from this class of people.
He thought there could be no question