New-York tribune., 1907-10-10
RABIES LOSING GROUND
DIR. RAMB4UD'S REPORT.
More ViraIent abroad than Here,
iSdgs Pastew FOllOzcer.

Dr.. George Cibier Rambaud president of the Pas
teur Institute. in West Esd street, has written an
article on rabies He says that for the last three
years there has been falling off in the disease anu
in the mortality resulting il. Dr. Rambaud
recently returned from abroad. He said yesterday
that 30 per cent more deaths occur from raoleS III
foreign countries than in this country, due 20 the
carelessness OF those afflicted. In his article Dr
Rambaud says Of the dangers of rabies and its NOR
tality:
No part the globe seems TO be free from it. eT-
IN certain territories and epidemcs have occurred
from time to time. They have been traced as far
In l779 there was epidemic in Philadelphia. and
in 1873 in New York and other parts OF me me
United States. Tie disease is much less prevalent
in this country than abroad. 49,
The most frequent of infection is the dog
although other mammals susceptible to the DIS
ease, which is usually transmitted through otie
dimensions and the location. But the Infection may
take place through 0tner channels Ol f beaIin ing
may be contaminated by the rablc virus. II mas las
skin allows this penetration Of the virus-a fact
which is Of practical importance IN cases affirted
The proportion of persons who after being bit. bit.
been variously estimated. Tardieud and Bouiey, IN
cent. died. Generally speaking; the more numer-
Gus and the deeper the WOUNDS the gSd n,aHs 1
also an important role. Thus. face bites are the
IN importance statistics show that about 80 per
cent Of the bites inflicted upon the face result
10 co per cent: the arms. 30 to 80 per cent; on
the lower limbs 20 to % and on the trunk 10 u
per cent
Nohng yet G9stysy kPoTn y;n TeSsTdag6 6sdHe6 the the
disease be caused by germ ana because ne
unable isolate il he thought II was TOO slnd
to be observed with the usual means. RABIES nke
all infectious diseases. has period OF lnCupatlon
which II must be said. is elastic. II varies from
fourteen days to seven months the average neIhS
from five to ten weeks. a few cases have oeeh re-
ported in which the disease appeared two years
after The bite. Personally. know of one case oo-
served at the New York Pasteur Institute in whiCh
a man died one year after being bitten by raoid
dog. ,,.. -,
il has often been observed in the different anti
rahic institutes that rabbits inOCulated WIN hNed
virus and which had apparently escaped from the
disease would suddenly develop all the symptoms
of rabies and die after being exposed 10 severe
cold or after being insuiCiently fed. SUCH condl-
tions may be with in human beings Tne re
suits of the PaSteur treatment were gratifying
from the beginning of its application in lsS5 WITH
the improyem upon the original methods the
mortality has been lowered until now 1t averages
about half Of l per cent.
CauteriZation Of a wound which is the treatment
handed down to from the first century and Is.
in the popular mind, the necessary antidote 10
a dog bite. is still greatly In favor. Personally.
am opposed tit never he relied upon. II
is true il has beer shown that immediate cauterlz-
alton will destroy the virus. II does not az
ford an absolute safeguard. but II will tend 70
Increase the length of the period Of incubation. and
this is important If the patient cannot reach an
anti-rabbC in short time.