The Washington times., 1906-05-28
DOCTORS DISAGREE
IN CASE Of BOY
BITTEN BY DOG
Georgetown Experts Di-
vided on Question of
Danger from Rabies.

The condition Of William Knott, a
six-year-old child who was bitten by a
dog. pronounced mad on Saturday even
ing. is furnishing excitement in George
town. The dog has been slain and
various physicians have viewed the
youthful patient. bat there IS no
Una1imity in their verdicts
DIR. Louis Mackan, the family physi-
clan. has no doubt the dog was infected
with rabies. and that the child is in suf-
ficient danger OF mis- life TO warrant his
being sent 10 the Pasteur Institute, In
Baltimore The house staff at George
town University Hospital members OF
which cauterlZed the wound. declare
all danger has passed and that in a
day or two the boy will be as good as
new. In this dia gnosis of the situation
they are joined by the professional
experts on rabies OF the neighborhood.
who base their conclusion as 10 the
relatively harmless character of the
bite upon the fact that the animal
showed no signs OF f0aming at the
mouth. and no inclination 10 run wildly
up and down the streets.
Bet Three Persons.
1t is true. however. that the dog,
which belonged 10 l. G. Day. Of S6l7
Prospect avenue northwest bit three
other persons. in addition 10 young
Knott and that all Of these We're MEM
bers OF the family IN which he lived.
These persons We're Mrs. Day, Miss
Elizabeth =. Hurdle, and T. l. C.avan-
augh. No one Of them, though, has a
wound that extends through the skin
Or. Cecil French. a local export on dog
diseases. examined the animal and de-
clered the symptoms OF rabies We're un-
mistakable. 1t was on Dr. Frencn
diagnosis that Policeman Trenis. Of the
Seventh precinct shot the dog 10 death.
Dr. Mackall Talks.
Dr. MackaH. while he IS not confident
the boy has been infected with rabies.
has no doubt as 10 the condition Of the
dog. and thinks the boy should be sent
TO the Pasteur Institute. 1t Is probable
his advice VIII be followed. DR.. N1ackall
says that a final diagnosis OF the case
cannot be made until the disease has
had an opportunity 10 develop. which
viii be some days at least. and that
considerations OF prudence suggest that
no chances be taken.
"A dog may have rabies and show no
outward signs whatever OF the disease.
said DT. AIackau. and in this early
stage Is quite as dangerous. so far as in
feCtOn from his bite IS concerned, rs IN
the later stages. when the existence of
the disease has become obvious. ] DO not
profess 10 be expert In dog diseases,
but the history of this case-the fact
that the animal bit four persons in less
than tweuty-fOur hours. three OF whom
were members of his owners family
with whom ne was on familiar and affec-
JOnate terms strengthens my conf
dence In the diagnosis OF DR. French
Under the circumstances. I think il
would be the height Of folly 10 take any
chances
Don't Shoot Too Quick.
IF a dog has bitten a person do not
have 1t shot until after the question
Of rabies has been definitely determin-
ed is the advice given by Health Of
ficer W. c. Woodward today in de-
clarine against the prevailing idea that
every canine that has bitten person
IS affected with rabies and should Le
Immediately destroyed. Better treat
ment can be afforded the bitten patient.
DR.. Woodward holds If the dog is al
lowed 10 live until examined by a ply
sician.
DR. Woodward disputes the popular
theory that rabies is more prevalent in
The summer time This MlScOnceptlon
has come about. ne states. because more
dogs run Al large during the summer
months and are consequently more liable
10 come n contact with an animal haV-
ing rabies.
The first aid treatment to the bitten
suggested by the Health Officer is 10
have the wGIynd thoroughly sucked out
and then washed with some strong an
tiseptic solution. after the manner Of
quick treatment in cases Of snake bite.
Following this, he advises the patient
TO Immediately consult a physician and
observe miuUtely the treatment pre-
scribed.