Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-01

month they are weakened but are still
dangerous. Protected in an opaque sub
stance as butter. they existed undimin-
ished in power for lib days.
X
These experiments indicated the sta
tons views relative to the wonderful ster-
,iizing power of sunlight. showing that
the danger through the ingestion of con-
taminated food is far greater than
through the respiration OF air containing
dust-laden germs. In view of this Dr.
Schroeder proclaims that for the treat
ment of tuberculosis nothing is so helpful
as an abundance OF fresh air ana sun
light plenty of substantial and wholesome
food and all the sleep that is possible.
AS sort of corollary to the experiments
at the station DR.. Schroeder entirely dis
counts the theory of heredity. and does
not believe that germ can become part
OF the body and i'm that capacity be trans
mitted by heredity to succeeding genera
tons. He explains ones susceptibility Z"
disease by the term inherent predisposi-
ton" Four people are exposed TO Two
diseases: the first party will contract ons
disease, the second party the other
malady. the third party will become in
fected by both and the fourth person re-
main perfectly healthy. This marked
difference is not caused by one individual
other nor do their habits even enter into
the situation but is due solely to that
Individual responsiveness to disease ABOUT
which so little is known. and is We'll
called inherent predisposition.
X X
Perhaps of not SO vital interest but
nevertheless of great Importance. nave
been the experiments at the station reia-
tive to rabies.
In the fall of 1906 small gentle mare.
bitten by a rabid dog, was placed IN
quarantine at the experiment station
Fourteen DAYS after her incarceration IN
a large ventilated box stall she snoWsI
marked symptoms of the rabies and died
after great suffering. Rabbits inocuia'eo
from the mare also became rapio.
Last spring two horses and COW
owned by farmers living nearby were
placed in quarantine. having peen Ike
wise bitten by mad dog. AS YET tne
horses have shown no symptoms OF the
disease. but are still in confinement. The
COW became rabid on the tWenty-second
day after she was bitten. She had pro-
duced a calf not long before: ano the
owner doubtful as TO the existence VI
such disease as rabies a..r'p t.tn i, e
strange actions to separation from her
calf To remove his doubt the cali was
again placed with the COW. Whlch utterly
failed to recognize it. and in the parnN
vsms of pain she viciously attacked heI
own offspring The owner. fully conVinced
of the existence of rabies. quickly con-
sented to the cow being killed. AS re-
s,,lt of experiments with rabies the ex-
pertinent station has proclaimed ra-
bies to be genuine. deadly. infectious
NAL to animal or from animal to person
by bite or other injury into which the
virus of rabies is introduced.
There are persons who believe in the
existence of an affection following the
bite of dog. at the same time attributing
the disease to an overweight magma
ton. dwelling with morbid intensity on n
greatly feared but wholly fictitious dan
ger DIR. Schroeder has asked these 10
explain how imaginary danger and undue
could have possibly pro-
duced the conditions described.
The station advises that all dogs be
claiming that in time they will
wear muZZleS as naturally and quietly as
the horse wears his harness. In this and
in this precaution only, is there safety.
Important experiments at the station
are those which deal with laws of hered-
ity and enter into the field of cross-breed-
ing. DR.. Schroeder carefully made the
distinction that a cross between animals
of different species resulted in the pro-
duction of hybrids. which as yet have
never been able to reproduce. A cross
animals of the same species re-
suited in the production of mongrels,
which are frequently miscalled hybrids.
Reproduction in mongrels is possible, and
is being successfully carried on at the
experiment station, proving that mongrels
will breed nothing but mongrels.
Cross-breeding in gray and hooded rats
and in Barbados and Merino sheep has
thus far proven that some distinguishing
mark of the parents will appear in the
mongrel. In the case Of the rats 1t has
been the gray color of the male parent
and in the sheep 1t is the parallel mark
ings. likewise, of the male parent. This
peculiar feature is called the unit char
acter."
At present the station is endeavoring
to secure cross between the zebra and
which will be pure hybrid. The
zebra at the station is the one presented
to the President by the Prince of Abyss
sinia 1t is beautiful animal.
When it arrived at the station 1t was
perfectly docile and tame but has since
undergone a marked change. and a moro
vicious animal would be hard TO find.
This change in temperament Is thought
to be due to some deep physiological
causes.
Dr. Schroeder said: I'VE have been the
target of all manner of hostile and I'M
antagonism, and have been
branded as fanatics. but I'm spite OF All
we will search for the truth. and We are
determined that the public shall know
the truth.
THAT we live in age of enlighten-
ment and protection Is due to the fact that
in many cases truth has won the day,
and society realizes more than ever that
the true concrete revelation of experiment
is the very sine qua non of progress"