The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-01-07

AouSc Jog anu Win the EO-called
dumb rabies,' Is so slight that 1t is
completely overlooked and the owners
associate with them as usual without
suspecting anything. Most dogs be-
come irritable at time, others gloomy,
hiding In dark places about the house
or stable. They obey the call of their
master very unwillingly but then Jump
about him even more friendly than
ever. In other cases they show a
marked uneasiness, scratch with the
fore feet, frequently change their
place OF rest, walk uneasily around in
the yard or in the room, barking and
biting at the air without any cause; at
this time a particular change of ap-
petite or taste is noticed as the ami
NAL scarcely touches its fayorite food
or lets 1t drop after having 1t in the
mouth, later they reject all food. At
the same time they repeatedly seek
wafer but in spite OF all Efforts they
swallow onl... small amounts. BY this
time it has reached the second stage,
when the symptoms attain higher
degree of unrest ard excitement.
They want to get away froeh their
usual quarters; II shut up in a room
they show this desire by standing
near and scratching at the door; if
tied, they try to break their chains;
IL In cage, they try to bite the walls
and bars. Once escaped, they will run
aimlessly around and some times COW
er long distances without resting.
They scarcely ever return to their
hcme. but il they do SO happen to
come back, they are usually exhaust.
cd, and covered with wounds and
bites. RI the rabid animals on their
journey encounter other dogs, they
viii attack them without cause or
noise, and If possible, bite them in the
head. If the attacked dog runs away
lin fright, the diseased animal will
continue its journey, but If it resists
the rabid dog will fight furiously
thus it continues until exhausted and
paralysis has set in to stop It's career
The entire stage is usually from three
to seven days.
Not Only In Hot Weather.
Given these facts--proved true by
scientific investgation-we must rid
icule all ideas such as that: Rabies Is
due to lack OF water or that 1t is only
prevalent in hot weather
1t is fact that right now, in the
dead of winter, there are more cases
OF rabies here than ever known tc
exist at one time before in the his
| tory of the community.
As to lack of water producing mad
ness, 1t might be that If an ANNA
was starving for water he would be
furious. but, il this animal, furiou:
from lack OF water. should bite an
other animal, would It produce the
same condition In the animal bitten?
The history OF the cases 80 far. j:
that number OF them have been dog
with as good homes as in any com
munity. Therefore, it could not b,
thirst, or lack of water, that was the
cause.
We have abundance OF evidence tina
hydrpphobia exists in our city In ,
most virulent form: there having beer
nearly half hundred cases during thu
last three months. The mead Of tw,
OF these animals were sent to tn,
state laboratory for microscopical ex
amination. after which the diagnosi
made by the local veterinarian wa
affirmed.
The sum and substance of the mat
ter 10, If we are to rid our communit.
OF this disease, we must look at tn
facts and discard all old time theor
| les. Only by SO doing and everybod.
working together can this disease b.
stamped out.
The method employed by the boar,
of health is perhaps the simplest tina
could have been established, but the
are often rebuked by good citizens an
have been ridiculed when trying t
discharge their legal duty. IN som
cities more stringent laws have bee,
passed and enforced to the letter.