The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-26

The other form OF rabies-comnonly
called furious rabies-is also quite
easily detected. In most cases in this
class the dog at first Is dull and morose
as If ashamed It seeks sympathy,
may be affectlonate, loving to caress
its master by licking the hand. But
it's general behavior is entirely changed
It can plainly be seen the dog acts In
nervous, unnatural manner, that It's
ways have changed 1t becomes more
restless manifested by the dogs lying
down, then in few seconds quickly
rising and walking about. AS the ner-
vous symptoms progress in these cases
| the dog usually wanders, often miles
from home. biting people, especially
| children, also dogs and other animals.
The dog generally dies from paralysis
| before the ninth day
In this manner, and In this alone, Ia
the disease of rabies passed from one
dog to another, until 1t becomes known
| that a number of dogs have been Bit
| ten This Is what constitutes an out
| break.
AS to few other symptoms; the bark
| and voice of the dog are entirely
changed. Saliva may or may not run
from the mouth. 1t may drink water
until shortly before DEATH 1t may act
| as II bone were in its throat. or
course such is possible with any dog.
| But especially during an outbreak of
| rabies people should use great care
| in putting their fingers into 81 dogs
mouth.
If known, the symptoms above emu
merated are sufficient to enable any
intelligent person to quite positively
diagnose a case of rabies. But great
care must be taken not to confound
symptoms of other diseases in dogs
with the typical symptoms of rabies.
For example--it Is quite common for
a dog to have fit or a convulsion. 1t
may have pain--may appear nervous
and restless, but there will be marked
symptoms of pain. 1t may have
trouble in the mouth-toothache per-
haps, neuralgia, bowel trouble etc.
These and many other ailments will
cause the dog to appear sicl-unnatu-
raj, but not necessarily rabid.
| A vast number of dogs, not rabid,
but afflicted with other diseases. have
been foolishly destroyed. Such thing
is wrong, is unnecessary. If the dog
be confined q few days the facts as to
cause of the trouble become positively
known.
Most dogs are owned by people who
value them highly They want no
harm to come to these pets. A dog is
not to blame for becoming mad. 1t is
an accident and might have been avert
ed had some owners been more careful.
Hence IL during an outbreak all own
ers of dogs will see that their dog
shall not roam about without an eff
fcient muzzle. much will have been
accomplished. For by such sensible
cooperation between the people and
our sanitary authorities the result of
stopping the spread Of rabies will be
| ACCOMPLISHED.
Thus valuable dogs and pet dogs
will be saved, to say nothing of the
! lives of people who are in great danger
during an outbreak of rabies.
In conclusion. it would appear far
more reasonable to require the muZ-
zling Of dogs during an outbreak than
during the hot dog days of summer,
when there is no outbreak, and which
custom is found in nearly every city
1t is to be deplored that some news
papers, instead of counseling reason,
magnify and distort. as we'll as allow
their columns, which should be used
to calm the public mind when III the
face of danger, to become a means of
causing undue excitement and spread
ing alarm to the possible injury of peo-
pie and property
| Jacob Helmer, Veterinarian,
| 81 Spruce street