The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-23
BRANCH OF PASTt,
 INSTITUTE NEEDED
 SAYS DR. FRENCH
Points Out That It Would Save Much Expense For People in Birmingham
 District

pr A. H. French. the veterinarian. believes that a branch of the stato Parteur institute at Montgomery sb,,,,, De established in Birmingham. As a req son therefor he declared that there were an unusual number of doRn in the Birmingham district suffering from tho rabies and consequently many cases for the Pasteur institute.
 A specific case mentioned by Dr. French occurred at Virginia Mines last Sunday where dog infected with ra- Dies bit six people. The dog was im- mediately killed and brought to Dr. French In Birmingham to be prepared Tor shipping to tho state pathologtcal institute at Montgomery for examina- ton. Tuesday evening a telegram re- oeivsd here from Dr. P. B. MosA state pafhoio6ist confirmed the fears of tho doctor and patients. and on wsdnss- day morning Oscar Parsons, William Bailey Ara Nichols. Mrs. Turner and her two children left Birmingham for Montgomery, where they are now un- der treatment.
 Branch Institute Needed Here
 pr. French. in commenting on ths case strongly advocated that . branch of the state pathological Institute be established in Birmingham. stating that the number of cases of rabies devel- oped in the Birmingham district and tho surrounding territory in the course of year would easily justify this step on the part of the authorities. pr. French gave several reasons why this coufse could be adopted. and suggest ed that 1t would be a good plan for the county authorities to cooperate with tho state in establishing the branch institute here and that the board of revenue might be prevailed upon to make substantial appropria- tion for the purpose.
 "A treatment for preventing hydro phobia Is a formidable undertaking. in- deed" said Dr. French "and involves much time and expense. True the treatment at tho state Pasteur fnsti- tute is free of charge. but from 21 to 30 days are necessary for the vac cine treatment and in most instances the person suffering Is child. Parents and other relatives of course feel great anxiety as to the safety of those en- dangered by the dread disease, and generally accompany them to the cap ital. This naturally means that heavy expense is incurred.
 Cost of Treatment
 'Wcalthy patients can, of course. af- ford treatment by private physician. but the state will not furnish vaccine used outside of the institute at Mont gomery, 80 it is necessary for the pa tient to furnish the necessary vaccine, the cost of which is s50 for qian- tity sufficient for the individual case. and the doctors fec then amounts to about $100. Few people can afford this outlay and must perforce take trip to Montgomery for the necessary treat ment. Animals of course, are subject to the same procedure. The vaccine for the treatment of an animal costs only half aE much as that which Is used for tho person. From a conversation with pr. Moss I judge that the state would at least be willing to furnish vaccine free of charge if a branch institute were established in Birmingham under the supervision of the state pathologist and perhaps the state might be willing to contribute toward it's erection. Only one doctor and an assistant would be ne oessary to give the treatment. and their salaries would not amount to more than $200 per month. This would certainly be a great convenience to the people of this part of the state.'