Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1905-10-13
OUTBREAK OF RABIES
CAUSES MUCH ALARM


farm of B. l.. Diehl, Bloom road, has
caused something akin to consterna-
tion among the people of that locality
for it is we'll known that in addition
to the horse that went mad other
animals Including ons or moro dogs
were bitten by the rabid dog which
caused the Infection.
The dog was Il O one that was killed
by John Wier ou West Mahoning street
last March. Whatever doubt may have
existed at the time rs to whether or
not the dog was afflicted with rabies
is now removed. Six months, it is
true, is a long interval, but there ap-
ne .rs to be 10 limit after nine days in
which rabies may not develop.
The appearance of the mad dog on
the farm of Mr.. Diehl last March was
thrilling in the extreme. He belonged
to a farmer living only a short dis
tance sway and ran amuck eaily in
che day. After biting II dog b. long
ing to Ralph Leighow he ran in ut
Mr. Diehl's. Entering the barn h, bit
a valuable bull and passing through
the barn yard came across the faitl-
full family horse that had just been
led from the stall. The horse in
friendly way put his nose down to-
ward the dog. which quickly snapp' d
and inflicted slight wound on the
horse near the mouth. Mr.. Diehl was
busy in the barn and his children nere
also playing about. At first it did not
occur to him chat the dog might be
mad. After tho bruto bit the bull Mr..
Diehl attempted to drive him out of
the barn and unconscious of danger
approached near enough to kick at
him.
After the horse was bitten Mr.. Diehl
became suspicious and followed the
dog down the road as far as Henry
Wiremau's. While talking over the
matter here the dog came along aud
snapped viclously at Mr.. Wireman.
He did not grasp the flesh. however,
but merely seized the trousers. Fur
ther OH he bit James Morrison's dog
and escaped.
Both Mr.. Leighow and MIR. Morrison
killed their dogs. Mr.. Diehl took
every precaution possible both in the
case of the bull and the horse. After
a reasonable period, however, he con-
cluded that there was no longer any
danger of infection and ceased to think
much about the matter.
On last Monday Mr.. Diehls little
son David was entrusted with the task
of leading the driving horse out to
water. The boy told his father that
the animal refused to drink and was
acting strangely. Mr. Diehl investi-
gated and found that the horse had
been biting himself and that the flesh
about his breast was raw. He thought
strangely of this and tied the horse
very short in the stall so as to have
not much freedom of movement, mean
while keeping a close watch.
During the night the horse w=nt
raving mad. In his first paroxysm he
reared up and got his fore legs in the
manger as tine result of this he fel
over on his side. Kicking and strug-
CLING he soon made a wreck of all the
interior of the stable. At intervals he
would snap like a dog. bringing his
teeth toge ther with frightful sound
that could be heard beyond the barn.
Mr.. Diehl sent for Veterinarian ].
o. Reed, who pronounced 1t rabies.
after which as briefly stated in these
columns yesterday morning the horse
was shot.
Mr.. Diehl was in this city .yester-
day. He says that he lives in mortal
dread of what may happen next. The
bull, was bitten above the eye and the
wound was a much more serious one
than was inflicted to the horse. Mr..
Diehl says he has no reason to believe
that the bull will escape the fate
which befell the horse. The ravagos
of , mad bull are something fearful
to contemplate and the results might
be appalling should he suddenly run
amuck.
DR.. j. o. Reed, who represents the
Live Stock Sanitary Board. Informed
a representative of this paper yester-
day that the State will Immediately
take charge of all of Mr.. Diehl's stock
till rabies is entirely wiped out.
Under the law the county will re-
imburse Mr.. Diehl for his horse. which
was valuable one.