Evening journal., 1913-08-04
~-~muur1
ALARMING
INCREASE IN
RABIES HERE
State BsCteriOIOGiSt Reports
Il FelS,HS Given PaSteur
Treatment to Date
ONLY "a VICTIMS
TREATED LAST YEAR

special 70 THE EVENING JOURNAL
NEWARK. Aug. $50 far this year
there has been an alarming increase
in delaware of the dreaded rabies.
pr Herbert J. Watson, bacteriologist
for the state Board of Health, says
that during the FIRST seven months OF
this year q persons have been given
the Pasteur treatment compared with
a total of "A for all of last year. DR..
Watson also explains that the work
Of making satisfactory tests is often
handicapped by the heads of animals
shipped here arriving in bad condii
tion. In many instances the animals
are killed before the disease has suf-
hciently developed 10 show in the
test.
In his statement DR.. Watson says
"In the past few months ! have
noticed an increased number OF dogs
heads being submitted TO the labora-
tory in a decidedly bad condition for
testing. These heads are from dogs
that have not shown any symptoms OF
rabies while some heads are from
dogs showing a slight change OF dis
position. Dogs submitted IN this
condition very seldom show the test
as Il is necessary for them TO be ad-
vanced IN the disease before the Negri
bodies appear IN the brain. Repeated
warnings by bulletin and newspaper
articles have failed TO decrease the
number submitted before showing
some symptoms OF In bad condition.
"This condition may be laid TO the
excitement due TO the usual mad-dog
scare. Everybody appears to be ir-
rational at such times and completely
lost for want of common sense.
Hydrophobia is an Infectious dis
ease. and exists in Delaware through
out the entire year. The dog Is the
agent for the transmission I'm this
dreaded disease, although we have
numerous cases infected through the
bite of other animals. Both forms
of rabies exist I'm Delaware The rabies
proper OF funous rabies and dumb or
paralytic rabies. The incubation
period in dogs Is from three TO six
weeks and may extend over a longer
ably has a change of disposition at the
termination of the incubation period
n becomes restless. snaps at every
thing and swallows everything pos
sible: II has a peculiar high-toned
bark and saliva secretion Is active
epasms of the throat muscles In ad.
vanced stages. and as a rule, death
follows these symptoms Immediately
I4f. a. la
symptoms.
vTho state Board OF Health treated
twenty-four cases during 1912, Will
~ persons have received the Pasteu
treatment since January I. 1918 Th
above figures show starting increas
In the number of people bitten, will
no apparent inclination of the citi
zens to assist in the eradication o.
the disease"
In discussing the matter. Or. Wat
son stated that the following infor.
nation should be of value to those
bitten by supposed rabid dogs:
First. n any person or persons
have been bitten the head packed In
ice may be sent to the Delaware STATE
Board OF Health Laboratory, Newark
Delaware. by express prepaid.
Second. If animal has bitten
person and can be securely chaine,
up for observation where he can d'
no harm. this is very preferable L
killing the animal and submitting thu
head for examination.
"In the first place. II the anima
was capable of conveying the infec
ton when he bit, he will develol
symptoms and die within ten day
thereafter. An animal perfectly wei
ten days after bitten could not hav
been rabid at that time
Third To prevent decomposition
the head should be packed in ice in
water-tight box. or if this Is impos
sible. place in glycerine In a Tight
sealed preserving jar, and properl
packed. Personal delivery whe
possible II desirable. A wooden O
iron bucket with handle is very hand
for shipping or carrying a dogs heat
Fourth. DO not ship specimens s
that they will be received on Satur
day, Sunday or holiday. instead hol
and place in ice or in glycerine.
Fifth. In killing a suspected an
NAL. so far as possible avoid shootin
through the brain, as the part needle
for examination is oftentimes she
away"