The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-06-28
Mad Dog Hysteria.

-
4 The caption doubtless Describes It,
but that there may be no misunder-
standing the Telegram adds that It
is what is commonly known as mad
dog scare. According to the Wheel
ing News, which has demonstrated
that it is authority on this import
ant subject, II is more than the
scare as exists at times. Indeed, its
component parts from the Wheeling
papers viewpoint take on the nature
of disease or prematurity, In other
words, the kind the News talks about
exists whether there is report Of the
existence OF mad dogs or not. 1t is
a dread without cause, and, thus an
affection without basic source ex-
cept diseased brain. But, the News
knows more about this subject than
tho Telegram and the following pro-
found observations are taken from
that paper for the benefit of all gem
tie readers:
THE annual epidemic of mad
dog hysterfa is about due. Every
community at this season of the
year suffers from mental rabies,
which manifests itself in the popu-
lar belief that every thirsty dog is
md and should be chased and stoned
and worried until he does lose his
temper and bite at his tormentors.
Instead of regarding a dogs resent.
mont Of torture as really sensible
AGO, which 1t is, 1t is seized upon as
on evidence that he is really mad,
and then cop is called to use the
dog as target practice. The milder
forms Of this human hydrophobia re-
quire that all dogs be muzzled.
thereby giving a dog "a very fair.
start on the road to insanity. The
truth Of the matter is dog is no
more likely to go mad In hot wealth
'er than in cold weather. Statistics
show more really mad dogs in De-
cember than I'M the so-called dog
days. Moreover a dog with rabies
doesn't go about running amuck,
barking loudly and attacking every
body. He is more likely to trot
along mournfully, with his head
down, paying attention TO no one.
II a person or other brute gets in
his way or molests him. he will snap
at them, but he is feeling too miser-
able to indulge in any grand enter
prises OF slaughter for the mere love
OF slaughter. Neither does he hate
water, as is popularity supposed.
what's wrong with him is the fact
/. that, he would give his whole dog
soul for one drink of water, but the
swollen condition of his throat makes
it impossible for him to drink. Some
scientists deny the existence Of the
disease known as hydrophobia,
claiming that it is, in human beings,
purely the effect Of. an over-wrought
Imagination. Experience. however,
shows this belief. to be partly enron
eous. but only partly SO. Undoubt-
odlv, the imagination has played a
powerful part in hydrophobia, and
many victim has worried him or
herself into the grave, when keep
ing cool and sweet and preservation
Of mental equipose would have as
surred a safe recovery. Again, It is
we'll known among medical author
ties that nine-tenths of the so-calIed
hydrophobia cases are simply or
binary MISUNDERSTANDING. Just as like
~ to come from the bite OF per-
fectly healthy dog as from one with
the so-cailed rabies. There is not
much sense in muzzling dogs. There
is better way TO solve this dog
question. Enforce the dog tax. and
you viii have it. If people have to
nay for their dogs. ninety nine ont
Of each hundred viii vanish to the
ard where they will be happier than
they ever viii be here. Dogs are all
rigat and deserve All we have said in
heir defense against torment, but