Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1911-01-04
A few FACTS ABOUT
THE DISEASE OF RABIES
One of the Most Fatal and
Dreaded of MaIadies
ATTACKS BOTH MAN AND BEAST
Is Durable If Taken in Time and
Properly Treated
BY B. B. GLOVER, d. V. S.

learned by great many OF tne
writer's friends. clients and fellow
citizens that a short time since he
had the misfortune OF exposure to
infection by that most dreaded dis
ease, Rabies" Notwithstanding the
fact that, owing to the nature Of ex-
posture, his chances of being inocu-
lated was possible, though far
from probable, for consolation OF
self and friends he deemed it best
and safest to take Pasteur treat
ment. This being decided upon he
made a hasty departure for Wash
ington where he underwent treat
ment at the Hygenic Laboratory of
the Public Health and Marine Hos
pital Service of the United States. |
Since returning from Washington |
and thinking over the fact that we
are now confronted with an out
break OF rabies, one OF the most ia
tai and dreaded diseases to which
man and animal are susceptible and
one OF which there seems to be
lack OF knowledge by the general
public. the writer hopes, by means
of this letter, touching briefly upon
the nature, cause, symptoms, treat
ments, etc., of the disease in ques-
ton, to be of at least some assistance
to the public in detecting the dis
ease and guarding against its raw
ages in both man aud animals.
This disease has existed since an
cient times. On account of it's pecu-
, liar method of transmission, its uSu-
ally long period OF incubation or
, latency after exposure, the violent
, and terrifying symptoms, the ex-
! IRENE suffering endured by it's vic
tins, and it's uniformly fatal termi-
\ nation has come in spite of its COM
r parstive rarity, to be widely known
D to the medical public and to be extern
o sively investigated by scientists.
e At the same time there has been
IF handed down from the ages wher
n superstition and ignorance had as
yet received but little counterEal
ancing check from the influence o
y reasonable or scientific investiga
ton. A mass of erroneous belle
" which, In It's extent and frantasti
to distortions, probably exceeds tina
" to which any other malady has fallel
ID heir.
It, There still remains persons VIII
g. are skeptical concerning or even de-
as ny the existence of rabies as a di:
of tinct disease.
No attempt will be made here
r. enter into controversy with then
in If they are fair-minded and posses
of an average amount of intelligence
,al visit to a laboratory, where scie
RS. tific work in this direction is beir
on done, will suffice to dispel their o
TT jections even if their faith in hum;
lite nature is so slight that they are ab
,ge to regard those Investigators W
ng have devoted years Of disinterest
as study to the subject as untruthi
,ry or very badly mistaken,
md NOMENCLATURE This disease b
been given various names indicate
the some real or fancied feature
ach prominence. These names are
in follows: Rabies. Hydrophobia,
de- nine Madness, Black Tongue a
, OF Rage. Other names have been 81
en- gested but little used. The La
lge- Rabies" seems to be the best e
OF eral term for the disease in b.
man and animals.
ON CHARACTERIZATION: Rabies is
is acute infectious disease transmit
re- from animal to animal or from 6
bic NAL to man by the bite of the ra
'act, individual or by direct inoculati
ards 1t is not known TO be contracted
low- transmitted In any other mann
nge- 1t is characterized by a long
for variable period of incubation.
AS lowed by symptoms referable to
our nervous system, lasting from on
Mes ten days and ending in paral
SER and death, without recognize
the gross anatomical changes.
The dog is the animal most {