The Washington herald., 1913-08-14
DOG.DAYS ADVICE
GIVEN TO PUBLIC
District Health Officer Tells
Of Proper Treatment
for Rabies.
SEE DOCTOR AT ONCE
The Wound Immediately Should Be
Cauterized-H Disease Confirmed
Pasteur Treatment.
SEE DOCTOR AT ONCE

The August dog days." with their
traditional plethora of mad dogs. are
made the occasion for advice on the
prevention OF hydrophobia by physicians
Of the District.
Although the records show that there
are no more cases of rabies in August
than in any other month, there is always
dread of the disease during this month
During the fiscal year ended July l.
The Health Department received reports
Of thirty-eight dogs suffering with rabies,
two cats, and one horse.
The disease was confirmed by post
shorten examination.
DIR. William C. Woodward, District
health officer, stated yesterday that
there has not been fatality in the
District during the past five years which
was due to hydrophobia
officer Tell, of Disease.
In speaking of rabies, DR.. Woodward
said:
During this month occurs the period
peculiarly known as dog days when
the dog. according TO tradition, is looked
upon with suspicion or feared, if he
shows any untoward signs, less he he
mad that is, suffering from rabies.
the disease of animals which causes by
drophobia in man when he is bitten by
a rabid animal. AS a matter OF fact,
statistics compiled from all over the
world show that rabies or hydrophobia
10 not confined to or especially prevalent
in any particular season, but may occur
at any time during the year.
Rabies is a germ disease, and can
only occur when a mad animal or per-
son afflicted with hydrophobia transfers
the germs to another animal or person
hK- oil mas
get rabies or become mad from want
Of food or water. or on account of ex-
element. fear, hot weather, and the like,
according TO the wrong impression 10
this effect which has prevailed.
Caused ny Bite.
..Hydrophobia in man is always caused
by the bite of some rabid animal, in our
community practically always by the
bite of our domestic dog. Although the
number of deaths from hydrophobia is
small. the disease is a wholly prevent
able one, and there has been much need
less suffering and distress caused from
want of knowledge of how to proceed
when a person has been bitten by dog
inspected of having rabies
THE most important of all preventive
measures against hydrophobia is, OF
curse. to keep from being bitten by
abid animals. There would be no hu-
nan beings bitten by mad dogs and
consequently no hydrophobia in this city
all dogs properly were muzzled, as
-equired by ordinance. In England the
disease has been placed among the Gu
-iosities of the past by rigid enforcement
If dog-muzzling laws.
See a Physician.
IF bitten by an animal no matter
how slight the injury, have the wound
promptly cauterized and properly treat
ed and cared for by a physician or at
hospital The mortality from bites of
animals is much less in cases in which
wounds have been promptly cauterized.
If there is the least suspicion about the
dog have him penned up or Gagged and
send for a veterinarian. or have tho dog
sent TO a veterinary hospital in order that
an expert may determine whether or not
the dog has rabies.
Not all biting dogs are suffering from
rabies. but it is obviously of the utmost
Importance TO know positively which
ones are and which are not In the typi-
cal case of rabbi the mad dog will show
characteristic signs of the disease, but
the diagnosis of his condition should not
be trusted to lay hands.
Don't MuiiIate Dog.
IF II is necessary TO XIII the dos 10
protect human beings or other animals
from being bitten. don't shoot him in the
head or otherwise mutilate his brain or
spinal cord. as it is necessary to have
these parts of the body intact for the
positive diagnosis of rabies by laboratory
methods. Do not let the dead animal lie
around to decompose. but call a police
man or have the dead body sent immcdi-
ately 20 the veterinary hospital with
history of the case. scientific exam
ination of the suspected animal can hen
be made. and it can be determined be-
yond peradventure whether or not the
animal had rabies.
Last Stages IncurRb1e.
"If it is found that the dog has had
rabies the Pasteur treatment should be
administered at once to the person whom
he had bitten. The Pasteur preventive
treatment has reduced the mortality of
persons bitten by rabid animals or those
suffering from rabies from between o
and Il per cent to a fraction of l per
cent. But to be of any service the Pas
teur treatment must be administered
ftAFFR ER9y