Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1911-07-27
CARE AND CURE
OF HYDROPH0BIA
BY DR.. M. p. RANENEL,
University of Wisconsin.

The disease known correctly as
rabies, and popularity as hydrophobia,
was well described by Aristotle, who
lived 326 years before Christ. Since
that time it has been studied by
many notable men. Among all 9th
ers Pasteur of France stands first,
not only because OF his researches
into the nature Of the disease, but
chiefly because he was able to invent
a treatment by which the disease can
be prevented. The disease is primar-
lily one Of dogs, and is kept alive by
by bites to practically all domestic
animals. to birds, and to man. About
one person in every sixteen who is
bitten contracts the disease. There
is no cure for the disease, when once
established. No case has ever been
known to recover. The Pasteur treat
ment however, will prevent it almost
absolutely. The poison is contained
in the saliva and sometimes in the
milk of animals afflicted. In man 40
days usually passes between the bite
and the first symptoms; in dogs 81
to 40 days; and in horses and COWS
% to Sc days. Pigs usually contract
the disease in from IA to 81 days.
Rabies Common Throughout Year.
It is commonly supposed that anil
mails are more apt to go mad in sum-
mer than in winter. This is not true.
A few more cases occur in summer
than in winter, but this is because
animals and man are not housed so
much and there is more danger Of
contact. A widespread idea prevails
that dogs are particularly apt to go
mad during dog days. The term dog
days is an old one and refers to
Sirius. the dog star. 1t has no influ-
ence whatever On rabies in animals.
Rabies never begins by itself. 1t is
always transmitted from one animal
to another through the medium of a
bite. Dogs have commissions from
number Of causes, principal among
which are distemper, and worms, and
many poor dog is called mad and
killed when a dose of castor oil and
turpentine, or bromide of potash,
would put him in good condition.
TWO Types of Disease.
Two forms of rabies are seen in the
dog, the furious and the dumb or par
alytic. The first change is in the dis
position of the animal. He shows dis
tress and uneasiness or restlessness.
There is no disposition to bite. The
animal soon seeks solitude and shows
a disposition to hide in dark corners.
If suddenly irritated at this stage he
may bite. His voice is apt to be
changed at this time. Instead of the
sharp, quick bark, the last note of the
bark goes off into sort of whine due
to beginning paralysis of his vocal
cords. The dogs uneasiness in
creases, he begins to tear carpets, or
to bite at any object that comes in
his way, eating pieces of wood, etc.
He will still, however, respond to his
masters voice, but it is hard to hold
his attention. Soon he begins to
wander and will leave home, some
times covering as much as fifty miles.
He always tries to return home.
The term hydrophobia, which
means fear of water, Is not true of
the lower animals, as a dog will swim
a stream which lies across his road,
and tries to drink greedily. Paralysis
sets in finally and the dog dies soon
after this. The course of the disease
is always rapid, averaging four to
five days.
In the dumb type of rabies the jaw
is paralyzed early, and fortunately
the dog is not dangerous, unless the
hand is put into the mouth. This is
often done because the owner be-
lieves the dog is choking with bone
in its throat. The jaw hangs limp
and the dog is unable to close its
mouth. Saliva runs from the mouth.
About one-fifth of all cases are of the
dumb type.
Care of Bites and Wounds.
When bitten by an animal supposed
to be mad the wound should be open
ed and washed thoroughly in warm
water to encourage bleeding, after
which caustic should be used The
best caustic is nitric acid. Next to
this comes iodine. Dogs supposed to
be mad should not be killed, if pos
sible. They should be tied up and
kept under observation for two or
three days. After death the head is
cut off and shipped to a laboratory
where an examination determines
whether or not the dog is mad. The
Pasteur treatment requires 81 days.
1t should be commenced within a
week or ten days of the bite If the
bites are severe and about the face
treatment should be begun earlier, if
possible but there is usually time for
a laboratory examination before COM
mencing treatment. The University
of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin State
Board of Health in conjunction have
established a Pasteur Institute at
Madison, where the treatment is
given to residents of the state at cost