Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-14

several centuries PRIOR TO the beginning
of the Christian era, and from the dawT
of history the disease has been feared
and dreaded But it has been only ir
comparatively recent years that We nave
arrived at tolerably clear understand
ing of the facts concerning this disease
which have to a certain degree displaced
many of the falacies and superstition:
that have had a strong hold upon the
public mind for many years
The superintendent of the bureaus ex-
says:
"A deliberate denial of the existence of
rabies means one of two things-either a
lack of information or an impeachment
Of the honesty of innumerable impartial
observers and investigators. Those whose
denial is based on lack of information, II
they are at all open to conviction, Will
change their minds after examining what
has been written on the subject by men
who are above the reproach or an at
tempt to malign the canine species. 10
those who have never seen rabies ana
for that reason can not be convinced OF
it's existence it can only be said that not
to acquainted with thing through
personal experience, not to nave seen OF
encountered it, not to have knowledge or
it through our senses, means nothing but
inexperience relative to the thing In ques-
ton
And this have from DR.. George H.
Hart, member Of the bureaus faculty.
who has made a study Of the malady:
In spite Of all the work that has been
done on rabies there are still many per-
sons, including some medical men. VINO
are skeptical regarding or absolutely dis
believe the existence of this disease.
Some physicians say that they have been
practcing fifteen, twenty or thirty years
and have never seen a case; but this
proves nothing. During the past fifteen
years but three cases OF the disease nave
D. C. 1t can be readily seen, therefore.
that only a small percentage of the med
ical practitioners would see them.
Others have advanced the statement
that in Constantinople, where there are
more dogs than in any other place OF
equal area in the world, rabies Is I'M
known. This statement has been dis
proved by Remlinger. director OF the I'M
perial archaeological Institute in that
city, who reports many cases of the dis
ease in Constantnopie and adjoining
provinces. But even If it were fact. It
is no more remarkable than the fact that
in London. where there are more people
than in any other place of equal area IN
the world. bubonic plague Is unknown,
which fact. however. is not remarkable at
all 1t simply means that the specific
cause Of the disease is not present in that
particular locality.
ANY person in the United States can
see cases of rabies in one or more species
of domestic animals if he will get in COM
munication with veterinarians. health Of
ticers or laboratories where the disease
Is constantly being found
One fact these specialists will admit-if
admission you would term it-that GER
tain neurotic individuals who have been
bitten by healthy dogs become wrought
UP in morbid fear that develops into
spurious rabies, know as 'lysSOphobia"
and always Of a hysterical nature. ac-
companied by no organic LESSONS and al
ways terminating in recovery. Observa-
ton of these cases by physicians and
others who have never observed true
hydrophobia often, it is claimed leads
to the balief that all cases OF supposed