The Lamar register., 1909-03-24
LOSSES BY RABIES IN HORSES,
CATTLE, HOGS AND OTHER
ANIMALS.
DANGEROUS TO PEOPLE
NEVER KILL BITING DOG UNTIL
NATURE OF DISEASE, If
ANY, is DEVELOPED.
BY B. F. kaupp, PathoIogist. Colorado
Agricultural College.

/ Ndbico eAiSt III Soipiducf
and during the last year has caused
considerable loss in horses. cattle and
hogs; besides several people have
been bitten. Rabies. when affecting
human beings is called hydrophobia.
As this disease has caused consid-
cradle CONSERVATION in several sec
tions of the state recently. few com
ments in this connection may not be
amiss.
First. let us see about some of the
superstitions associated with this dis
ease. when a person has been bitten
by a mad dog. the killing of the dog
does not prevent hydrophobia in the
person bitten. This is a joke, and.
strange as 1t may seem. has been
taken seriously by many people who
should know better. Better lock the
dog up for few days and see II the
disease develops In case the disease
does not develop. the person bitten
need have no further anxiety. II the
disease does develop In the dog. the
person will then have plenty of time
to go to a Pasteur Institute lin Chi
cago, Ill, or Austin. Tex.), and take
treatment which will positively pre-
vent the disease from developing.
Again, the common belief that
mad dog will run with his tail between
! his legs and froth at the mouth Is a
mistake The mad dog carries his
tail In quite natural position. and
while the mouth may be open. from
paralysis OF the lower jaw. yet he can
not truly be said to froth at the mouth.
The mad stone" is n fake. pure and
simple. 1t is nothing but piece of
porous stone like soapstone) which
when dried and then placed on
moist surface will absorb water. or
blood, or anything OF a fluid nature.
After a person is bitten by a mad
dog, the germs of the disease are very
soon absorbed into the system. The
absurdity of going week later to
some remote part OF the country and
applying the mad stone with view
of its absorbing the poison, Is too
evident TO be worthy OF further com
ment.
About twenty per cent. OF persons
!. bitten by dogs actually rabid will de
y velop the disease. IL they have not re
| CeNeu aDo"t s'b"sy -
cent. of the dogs bitten will develop
: the disease If the wounds are not
cauterized All warm blooded animals
have this disease or may take 1t by
inoculation. The bite of rabid wolf
or n coyote Is said to be very dan
G gerous.
without going into discussion OF
the subject at this time here are few
" / am ar
dogs are not afraid OF water thydro-
phobia). Paralysis OF the lower Jaw
and the hind legs gradually develops.
Beware OF the dog that appears to
have a bone In its throat-it may be
rabies. The eyes in this disease are
very sensitive to light; hence the dog
usually crawls In under the porch or
some other dark place. Skunks are
subject to this disease. and wheh SO
affected do not hesitate to enter
houses and bite individuals.
IL bitten by a suspicious acting
dog, cauterize the wound at once, but
do not kill the dog If the dog de-
velops rabies within five days, the
person bitten should start at once Tor
treatment Don't get nervous and go
! into Mysteries, even though you are
sure you have been bitten by mad
dog You will have plenty of time to
take treatment before the disease de-
velops If you start at once. Rabies is
only transmitted by the bite of rabid
animal. If you go to Pasteur lnsti-
tute at Chicago it will cost you 800
for treatment. besides other expenses.
In Austin, Tex. the treatment is but
s25.
II an animal is suspected OF being
rabid, cut off his head. pack it in ice
and send 1t to the Agricultural Col
lege A report will be made within
few hours. In case mad dog is found
in a community. all the dogs should
be muzzled for sixty days.