Middletown transcript., 1911-09-02
U. S. REPORT ON RABIES

peTal Year Book Tor l9OU, an exhaustive
survey of the subject. :
Here are a few of the things shown:
Rabies is very common-found in every
state, and is increasing. 80 states show
43 deaths from hydrophobia in man for
the year ending 1890. In the decade
following, IS cities alone show $50 deaths,
besides those treated by Pasteur methodI
The report then says, p 22O; "For
years we have been living in fancied
security from this disease; we have been
told that it was extremely rare, if, indeed,
it had any existence outside the imagina.
ton; aud during those years the plague
has spread, with only the feeblest effort
for its control, until now it has become
so common as to be positive and con-
slant menace to our animals and to
human life. The facts already presented
demonstrate its frequency, but they do
not give an adequate idea of the losses
from it," Again, page 226; "The exten.
sive outbreaks of rabies in Buffalo,
Rochester, and Washington City during
1899, and the numerous smaller out
breaks occurring in widely separated
places, are disquietlng, and shows the
importance of more systematic repressive
measures. A considerable number of
persons, mostly children, have been
bitten in these outbreaks some of
whom have died after the most intense
suffering. Others have taken the Pasteur
treatment at great expense and incon.
Venience. It may be safely concluded
that instead of being a much more rare
disease than is generally supposed, it is
much more common disease than we
had reason to expect"
"In Austria, Belgium, France, Ger
many and Russia the official reports show
a large number Of cases Of rabies in dogs
and other animals each year, and GER
tain number in man. In 1898 there we're
in Germany 1902 cases of rabies in
animals (mostly dogs.) In France, 2,374
in 1899. In Belgium, 444 cases. In 1895,
727 cases in Great Britain, and in 1895 in
Hungary 1897 cases."-And yet the
Friend of Animals" says rabies is so
Extremely rare" the most jealous inVes-
tigator is never Likely to sc case OF itP'
Practically all of the iuLe.lgent part OF
this community heartily approve the
Town Boards muzzling order; but it may
be we'll to quote the recommendations OF
the United States Government On muZ-
z ing dogs. p. 242 The measures neces.
sary for the eradication of rabies
sre two in number; 1-destruction- OF
worthless ownerless, and vagrant dogs; 2
efficient muzziDg of all dogs which
appear upon the streets or in public
places" In Germany and Great Britain
muzzIing has had an immediate and
most marked effect in eradicating the
contagion." This advice is repeated in
1909.
Then it gives the experience of Berlin
in the matter. From l845 to 1858 the
Berlin Veterinary School received 278
rabid animals or an average of 80 year.
The last year showed 80 cases: from
March to July, 81 cases. On July 10th,
muzzle law was passed, and from July
to the years end only six cases; in 1854,
four cases, aud 1855 but one, while for
years following, not a single case was
reported! Again. "In Vienna rabies
was entirely suppressed by Is months OF
strict muzzIing, but in 1866 the muzzling
act was repealed. and in one year and
half rabies became epidemic, and the
nuzzle law was again enacted with the
result that rabies soon disappeared"
Rabies was stamped out in the came
way in I87i-to 1880 in Holland and
Baden.
London teaches a usefJl lesson low
muzzIing dogs stamped out rabies, and
how some busy cranks who loved dogs
more than human beings, getting the law
repealed, started the epidemic anew.
In 1865, 81 persons died in London
from hydrophobia, then, thanks to a
muzzIing law, not death till 1887, when
the law being repealed, cases occurred in
a few months and 10 deaths in 1889.
In 1899 the muzzling law was again put
in force, and hydrophobia once more
disappeared!
Itis very interesting and instructive to
observe how from year to year with the
muzzling law in effect, the number Of
cases steedily grow less, and OH its repeal,
as steadily increase; and well does the
Report conclude: "These examples are
certainly sufficient to demonstrate the
value OF muzzIing, as means OF rcpress-
ing rabies, aud it may be added that in
countries like France Belgium land
Russisl where muzzliDg has not been
adopted, the disease continues to prevail
to verv serious. s.degree.
And yet this Friend of Animals is
against the wise muzzliug act, and as
preventive of rabies advises the Mexican
plan of requiring storekeepers and
business men in general to keep pans of
fresh water in the doorways OF their
stores for the relief of dogs!'
Finally, Mr.. Editor a word about this
Extremely rare disease" in our own
neighborhood aud Baltimore. Onr DIR.
Richie has had four cases of hydro
phobia in the last seven years; five citi'
zsns of Midlletown have been bitten by
dogs proven to be mad, and taken the
Pasteur care; this year SO far IA persons
have taken that treatment at Delaware
College and finally, DIR. N. G. Keirle,
Director of the Pasteur Institute in Bal.
timore, writes me that in the last II years
he has demonstrated 700 cases OF rabies,
InOstlv in dogs VIM f. WRIGHT