The Monte Vista journal., 1909-03-27
Treatment OF
HYDROPH0B|A
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 3. F. kaupp, PathoIogist Colorado
Agricultural College.

RdDieS exist III uOTlHtIn COLORADO,
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 n consid-
cradle CONSERVATION in several sec
tons 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 mad dog. the killing of the dog
does not prevent hydrOphobia in the
person btten. This is joke, and.
strange as 1t may seem has been
taken seriously by many people who
should know better. Better lock the
dog up for n 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
oiscase uoes utNeiop III ti' uoS' 'ue
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 a
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 n 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 q fake. pure and
simple. It Is nothing bsI q piece OF
porous stone (like soapst0ne) which
when dried and then placed on n
moist surface will absorb water. or
blood. or anything OF a fluid nature.
After . person IL bitten by mad
dog. the germs of the disease are very
soon absorbed into the system. The
absurdity OF going a week later TO
some remote part of the country and
applying the mad stone with view
"
evident to be worthy OF further COM
ment.
About twenty. per cent. OF persons
bitten by dogs actually rabid will de-
velop the disease. II they have not re-
ceived treatment. About eighty per
cent. of the dogs bitten will develop
the disease II the wounds are not
ii 49, Ill 10
have this disease or may take II by
incubation. The bite OF rabid wolf
or q coyote Ii said to be very dan
gerous.
without going into n discussion OF
tho subject At this time here are few
things well worth remembering. Rabid
dogs arc not afraid of water hydro
phobix). Paralysis of the lower jaw
and the hind legs gradually develops.
Beware OF the dog that appears to
have bone In It's 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 when so
affected do not hesitate to enter
houses and bite individuals.
II bitten by n SUSPICIOUS acting
dog. cnutcrixc the wound at once. but
do not kill the dog. II the dog dc.
velops rabies within live days. the
person bitten should start At once for
treatment. Don't get nervous and go
into Mysteries. even though you ARE
sure you have been bitten by 4 mad
dog. You will have plenty OF time to
take treatment before tho disease Dc.
veiops n You start ut once. Rabies In
only transmitted by the bite OF n rabid
animal. II you go 20 Pastcur Insti.
tutc At Chicago II will cost you 800
for treatment. besides other expenses.
In Austin. Tex. the treatment II but
Us.
II an animal II suspected Of being
rabid. cut off his head. pack Il In Ice
and send Il 10 the Agricultural Col.
icKc. A report will be made within =
few hours. In cnsc mad dog II found
In 4 community. all the dogs should
be muxsied for sixty days.