The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1909-05-27

long ago, when germ ignorance was
bliss. $685..
Before the ed1ct Of exile has been
accepted and adhered to by animal
lovers, they will demand to know in
the fullest detail all Of the particu-
lars Of the so-caled dangers of close
association with the domestic animal.
2.@,>~ Take the Dog: 'A,,. r. ',@''.''
Take the dog, every mans faith
full friend and the boys pride and
cherished playmate. Through all of
the ages since the world began he
has held his position Of guardian and
protector. His intelligence and
sagacity has oftentimes been greater
In emergencies than that manifested
by his master. What possible harm
can a poor dog do?
> Hydrophobia, first and foremost in
the catalogue Of disease crimes laid
at the canine door, the very exist
ence OF which except as a Pigment Of
an overlooked imagination Is dis
Puted and secuted by SO many people
put nevertheless remains lasting
horror and q constant menace.
Dogs, also In. their affectionates
licking on the baby's little hands and
race convey by means Of the saliva
thus deposited the germs Of various
diseases, one of which, so commo on
among children, IL ringworm. This
annoying and persistent affliction Is
now sufficiently dreaded as to cause
the expulsion from school Of any
child SO affected. .".'. -
. Cats as we'll as dogs are accused
of causing ringworm and to both is
laid the blame Of certain nasal dis
eases. The sleek pussy has been the
means Of spreading the contagion OF
dtptherta and minor throat troubles
while her bite In anger has been
known to be as venomous as that Of
her rabies~affected canine rival.
Myriads of Parasites.
II dogs and cats and other anil
mails could be kept free from the
myrtads Of parasites with which they
are infested, the danger is having
them: about would be greatly mini
mfzed, ,:.. .-;' ~. 49,,
To feas alone may be attributed
more Of the deadly epidemics than to
any other of the known parasites.
There are five species Of, fleas,.
whose ready recognition is likely
.soon to become matter Of vital i'm
portance to the medical practitioner.
These are the Pulix Irritans, usually
harboring on man, Pulex felis COM
monty found on dogs and cats, but
often found on humans as we'll as on
rats, squirrels and various other ami
mails, though 1t seems to have O.
preference for rats all over the
world.
The Plague FIeas.
There Is also blind species which
Is 80 very obviously blind, as to be
easily distinguished from other vari-
ties. Pulex Cheopis is supposed to
be peculiar to the tropical parts Of
the globe, but can maintain itself in
the temperate climates as specimen
was found on q rat caught In Ply
mouth. This being a large seaport
and arsenal 1t Is always exposed to
the dangers Of epidemics. F'leas will
tfayel In railroad trains and in all
sorts of baggage.
To the white rats and the Bombay
rats was ascribed the terrible Black
Death In Europe In the fourteenth
century, again in the seventeenth
centur,. and also the great plague
Of 'Lonaon. Ono of the difficulties
In the way Of suppression Of plague
heas has been that under favorable
conditions only will each species of
deas stay with its own peculiar host.
When hungry they will attack any
thing with life within reach.