The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-13
TREATMENT
 OF RABIES State Health Department
 Adds Work. TO BE READY BY OCTOBER 20 Pasteur Methods to Be Used by Dr. |, M. Mason, Baeteriologist. s,ubIic is to be Treated Free and All Are Asked Not to XIII Mad Dogs But Guard Them and Let
 Them Live.
TO BE READY BY OCTOBER q

On his return from the East. pr. E. M. Mason. State Bacteriologist. be- gan preparations Monday for estab- fishing the Pasteur treatment of rabies. The treatment will be con- ducted in conjunction with the State Bacteriological Laboratory on the third floor of the Capitol.
 This addition to the Health Depart ment of the State is considered as a signal step forward in relief of the suffering people of Alabama. It has been contemplated for some time by the State Board of Health.
 While on this trip to the East Dr. Mason acquainted himself with the various phases of the Pasteur treat ment of rabies. When, the Pasteur equipment has been provided, treat ment of rabies will be offered to the public free. This will be welcome news to all classes of citizens. The work wifi be done in tho laboratory at the Capitol.
 Those unfortunates who run scci- dentally into the vicious teeth of any dog may, as a citizen of this State. apply as soon after the bite as possi- ble to the Bacteriological Department for treatment. And the sooner the better. according to the advice of those in charge.
 The workings of this new depart ment are calculated to reverse the usual conduct of individuals when dog bitten. Instead of staying the obstreperous beast on first blush, those who will give the Pasteur treatment ask that the animal be spared. He will be considered one of the valuable aids for curing the patient. Indeed. 1t Is almost essential. for rapid diagnosis of the case because when one is dog bitten he is usually SO excited, and his neighbors with him. that, unless the dog is let live and be examined, it would be hard to tell whether he was suffering from rabies or common gar den variety of hunger.
 Seriously, when everything is ready special request will be made that in all cases of dogsbites which may occur in Alabama the animal doing the bit- ing be captured. as peedily as possible and turned over to the men in charge at the Capitol. There they will do plenty of slaughter to satisfy not only the patient. but all parties interested in the revenge. But the dog should not be killed until his symptoms are carefully observed.
 InOculatiOn is Used.
 After a case is diagnosed as rabies, the patient is put through a course of inoculation. This involves the use of several living rabbits as these are inocuIated with virus taken from the head of the diseased dog. Then the transfer to the patient is made by taking the spinal cords of the rabbits and with proper treatment using them to inoculate the patient. At first the infection is of the least virulence. The next injection and all after that is of increasing virulence, the degrees be- Ing determined by the period of time that the virus was in the drying pro- cess.
 The treatment will last about three weeks.
 The good to be derived from the Pasteur methods Is measured in two ways, according to the supporters of the movement. It is calculated to cure rabies wherever found, and what is not less important, 1t will diagnose rabies and avoid the worry, excitement and expense incident to every dog bite.
 The first thing person thinks when bitten by a dog is that the animal is mad. This might be far from true. It is the business of the State depart ment to tell when rabies is there and when it isn't. And, too. when people of limited. means are dog-hitten instead of taking some interstate Journey to be treated they can stop over in Mont gomery and fare better.
 Those in charge will urge everyone who witnesses the dog-bite and can capture the dog safely to hold the animal as long as possible in order to let the disease run its course. After the dog dies it is. the desire of the authorities that the head be preserved by packing in ice and sending at once to the State Department of Health.
 In the opinion of Dr. Mason prepara- tions for the treatment will be com pleted by October 20.