The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-07-29
HYDROPHOBIA ON INCREASE.
Statistics Show More Cases and
.. Larger Number of Deaths.

| II is very evident that hydrophobia
is on the increase in the United States
at the present time. For the past
three years, according to the publica-
ton of the mortality statistics of the
census bureau, there has been a steady
increase Of deaths from this cause in
the registration area. Estimating
from the number of deaths (S5)
which were caused from rabies in
1906 in the registration area (Which
means those places, urban and rural,
In which systems of recording vital
statistics are enforced, and which in
cludes approximately As per cent. of
the total population of the United
States) the whole number of deaths
from this cause in this country was
probably less than 200. This seems
to be a relatively small number, but
1t must be borne in mind that the
rate is increasing and that since the
institution Of the Pasteur treatment
the death rate among those who have
| been bitten by rabid animals has
been decreased; the death rate after
this method Of treatment being in
the neighborhood Of only one-half OF
l per cent.
1t is all very we'll Ito have the Pas
teur institutions in case Of necessity.
They have done, and are doing, a
magnificent work; but how much
Ieasier, how much safer, and how
much more economical it would be to
eliminate the cause which makes the
Pasteur institute a necessity! It has
been positively and irrefutably proved
that the strict enforcement Of a muz-
cling law for dogs will eradicate the
disease, since it is spread practically
solely by the bites of these animals
BY the operation Of such a law there
has not been a single case Of hydro
phobia in the city Of London since
the year 1900, while previous to that
time there were many deaths yearly
from this cause. A simple enough
remedy to be sure! Why is it not ap-
piled?
But so long as the remedy is not
applied there will be rabid dogs, and
deaths among the people from this
fearful disease. Shooting dogs indis-
crimnately can do little good, and
at best gives but temporary improve
ment in any community, while the
lives of many harmless and valuable
animals may be destroyed. But two
things should be borne in mind over
and above al else jas long as this dis
ease does exist among us, and these
are first, that when an individual is
bitten by a dog suspected Of being
ately and deeply incised. laid open,
suction applied If possible, and the
whole wound cauterized with fuming
nitric acid, or nitrate Of silver, or ac-
tual cautery. This should be done
even If the wound is not seen for sew
eral hours after the infliction; but
the sooner the better, of course The
other point, and a most emphatically
important one it is, is that the sus-
pected animal should most positively
not be killed. If is is rabid it will GER
tainly die within eight or ten days;
and IL it does not die, therefore, no
danger. of hydrophobia exists. If it
does die, it's head should ne submit
ted for examination at the nearest
Pasteur institute anu the subsequent
care Of the patient should depend
upon the results Of that examination
South Carolina Medical Association
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