East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1910-08-01

Washington.-Peaceful Tabby, pur-
ring upon the hearth, petted and
pampered by the whole family is now
declared by a government scientist
to be an agent of the most deadly
germs. spreading disease and death
among those who fondle her.
Investigation has proven that in a
cats sleek soft fur. upon which the
baby delights to rub his cheek, lurk
the germs of tuberculosis. of small
pox and that deadly disease of babies
and children, diphtheria.
The cat is a roaming animal.
Even the most carefully watched
house pet will stink ont at night
and it is then that they come in con-
tact with infected dirty cats which live
perhaps in squallid shanties among
disease stricken people. It's long fur
affords a natural breeding place for
the germs.
The cat returns to its home thor
oughly innoculated. The mother
smiles as the baby tumbles about the
floor with Tabby. When the child
is stricken every disease breeding
source is considered except the family
cat" says Dr. A. K. Fisher.
1t is a noted fact that people who
would not touch a dog think moth
ing of fondling and kissing cats. Fell
ines are particularly fond of jump
ing upon the beds of their masters
and cuddling close to them. Babies
are allowed to play freely with cats.
Practically the only thing to be
Fro o,.1l l. 81 4, a11to
To this terrible disease, DR.. Fisher
says. cats are as susceptible as dogs
though they do not bite people as Of
ten, yet cases of hydrophobia from
cat bites are not infrequent.
The Biological Survey is now work
ing on plans to have laws passed in
the District of Columbia as a guidance
for all the states to license cats. be-
cause, they say, most of the trouble
comes from stray cats. The danger
in the house cat, living In a clean
home comes mainly through its con-
tact with alley cats. Licensing would
permit the killing Of stray cats
Data is now being gathered by the
Survey upon the subject of disease in
fection by cats. Dr. Fisher hopes
-''ll ~ Dubiloil a bulltlll tlAlllk SDtcl-
fic instances.
Two cases are given by a prominent
French scientist, NJ. Bergeon, of cats
which were infected with tubercular
germs through contact with persons
afflicted with the disease In both
instances the cats were owned in fam
lilies where young girls died from the
malady. The death of the cats occur
red shortly afterward. The doctors
had noticed the fondness of the girls
for the cats, A post mortem examina-
tion Of the cats was accordingly made
with the results that in both instances
unmstakable traces Of tubercular
infection were found.
The next charge brought against
the cat by DR.. Fisher, Is that It spreads
ringworm, a very painful and some
times dangerous disease. Rats and
mice are peculiarly susceptible to this
disease. and It is transmitted from
them 10 cats. The presence Of the
disease on cats hidden. by their fur
Is not uncommon It was through
the frequent appearance Of ringworms
on hands of babies that the germ
theory was first pursued against the
cat.
Cats are considered the natural
enemies Of rats and mice. They are
kept often simply to kill these pests.
DR.. Fisher claims that not five per
cent Of the cats are mousers and that
instead they kill game and song
birds.
"As matter OF fact" said DR..
Fisher, "cats prefer birds to mice.