The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-06-16
Out of Eighteen Cases at
Hygienic Laboratory, Stray
Dogs Caused Three.
MUZZLES NEEDED,
DOCTORS ASSERT
Experiments Being Made to In
prove Pasteur Treatment-Eng-
lish Quarantine Dogs.

Marine Hospital Service, which recent
u commenced to give the PasteuF
treatment at the laboratory at Twenty
fifth and r streets northwest
Under the direction OF Surgeon Gen
eral Wyman The laboratory has been
giving treatment in emergency cases for
six weeks, and in that time twenty
two cases have been received. An ia
vestigation Of eighteen Of the cases
shows that fifteen of the patients were
bitten by pet dogs, while only three
were attacked by stray dogs.
It is the opinion OF both Passed As
sistant Surgeon John +. Anderson and
Passed Assistant Surgeon Arthur NJ
StImson, OF the HYGIENE Laboratory,
the latter In charge Of the pasteur
trea temeu-, that tlse only adequate sand
proper relief from the epidemic Of
rabies f. 10 have all dogs muzzled.
whether they are stray dogs or licensed
pets at home.
Would Eradicate Evil.
''AIuzzllng is entirely feasible" said
fDr. Anderson today. This I'm con-
junction with a strict enforcement OF
the regulations against allowing stray
dogs TO roam the streets would 90 much
toward Graduating the present evil"
Ii 6LllilGDll Is ttl-lLAlg DtSlllkG an al
lvocating the muzzlnsNof all dogs.
"Muzzle the pet dogs and destroy
the stray doss," said he today. This
is the best means that dog fanciers can
take to preserve their dogs, the best
means 10. eradicate the disease. and best
for both humanity and the CANNES
Dr. Stimson said that the records
snow that every one Of the patients 50
Tar treated had been bitten by dogs
having the rabies, a positive report in
each case having been made by the
bureau OF Animal Industry OF the De-
.lariHlenL OF AgFeultuls,
Although the IIygienic Laboratory has
only been giving the Pasteur treatment
since April -, some experimental work
has been carried on Tor several years.
Six persons are now under treatment,
-FOUR new ca rs having been received
last week. In a few cases il was deem
ed unnecessary 10 give the treatment,
and they do not enter into the records
Most Of Cases Mild.
Most of the cases are children, and
hhat while some severe bites have been
treated. the greatest numDr of the cases
are Of a mild or medium form.
The treatment of the patient II Is
Eaid. takes bur a Few minutes IN the
laboratory each day, and consists Of
a hyperdermic injection, q practically
painless operation.
The treatment is known As the Pas
teur treatment, and is the same a g that
originally used by the famous French
scientist, NJ. Louis Pasteur, TN Paris.
il consists of an emulsion of the spinal
cords of rabbits that have been killed
by a modified form of rabies virus.
These cords are rendered less vlTu-
lent by first being dried.
DR.. StlmsOn Is now carrying on in the
laboratory some experimental work to
a7f "a
deavoring to modify by the use Of
serum prepared from a horse or sheep
by the treatment of these animals.
This IS 10 be used especially in the
treatment of severe bites or IN cases
where treat lsenJ is delayed, and is TO
be used in addition TO the regular Pas
teur treatment.
To Prevent, Not Cure Disease.
It Is conceded that the longer a per
son waits after being bitten by a dog
having the rabies before seeking treat
meut, the less chance one has for ward
sng off the disease The treatment is
given for the purpose Of making the
patient immune against the disease,
but once a person displays symptoms
of hydrophobia, It is claimed, there
Is no relief. There are said TO be
only a few cases in all medical his
they are OF a questionable nature.
'"The immuniZs zion mas to be accom-
Tlfshed during the incubation period or
{he disease" said DR.. SttmsOn- "else
there is but small opportunity TO secure
immunity. If the symptoms once de-
Velop there IS no possibility of "a cure
There arc a great many popular
falaCies i'm connection with the raDleS
al of which have been exploded in the
scientific world No scientist attaches
any Importance to the maidstone. ana
all such things have long since been dis
carded in the medical world.
zoo Deaths From Rabies.
Likewise the long-debated question
Of the existence OF the rabies or hydro
Dhobia has been fully established and
ahat II is a serious matter is also
established by the United States census |
reports. For the years 1900 TO 1904 In
elusive the census reports show 20G
ueaths from rabies in the registration
area alone, which at that time embraced
about 80, 1000, 900 people The figures are
undoubtedly under the actual number,
as many cases no doubt escaped obser-
DR.. Anderson calls attention to the
fact that in England there Is law that
no dog shall be admitted into Great
Britain that has not been under obser-
walton for six months. and that as
consequence the rabies are almost un-
known there.
DR. Anderson also calls attention to
Hhe fact that Baltimore has within the
last week or so passed a law requiring
the muzzling OF all dogs.
Treatment Gwen Free.
DR.. Anderson explains that the treat /
nent at the HYGIENE Laboratory, which
IS being given under the direction of
Surgeon General Wyman. Of the Public
Health and Marine Hospital Service, is !
given without charge to the patients
11Dou an order from the District Health /
Department. which first makes an ex- |
animation into the facts surrounding
The case.
All that is required TO secure the |
treatment is for the patient to bring a |
letter from the District Health officer. |
The treatment requires about twenty
one days and the patient is detained /
in the laboratory but few minutes 1
each day.
The Pasteur treatment is said to be |
an almost certain preventive the. aver
age number of fatalities in cases OF ]
rabies being less than per cent Where (
the treatment ) administered. agafnstl
about 20 per cent where il is neglected Z