The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20

creased from 2S in 1892 to 672 in 1895. In 1896 the law was enforced. and in 1901 there was only one case. After that oate ho cases at all. This is a demonstration or what the enforcement of muzzIng la" will do It is thought that rabies IS summer disease. That is mistake. Iie only reason it prevails niore in summer than in winter is because the dogs run about more Dogs days are a myth. The treatment of the bitten individual con sists in cauterizing the wound with 1um- ing nitric acid, which should always De by a physician, and the Pasteur treat ment Both of these are preventive; neither is curative. The first destroys the virus in the wound, the latter creates an artificial immunity.
 '"rhis treatment first discovered by Pasteur, consists of the hypodermic 1n- lection of an emulsion made from the cords of rabbits. which have died after being inocculated with the virus of rabies. The administration is practically painless and requires only five seconds. Treat ments are given one or more times each day for three weeks. s.'-Dr. F. B. Moss, state bacterioogist and pathologist, Mont gomery.
 I close this bulletin by quoting from a bulletin issued by the Alabama state board of health
 Procedure When Bitten By Animal
 When any person Is bitten by an animal suspected of being rabid the wound should be promptly and thoroughly cauterized with nitric acid. The animal infiicting the wound should be killed. In the early stages of rabies an animal is usually docile, and may be secured and confined without danger. Should he be killed in the first days of the disease it is often im- possible to make diagnosis with the nli- croscope, making it necessary to resort to animal inocuation, with a consequent delay of several weeks, while if he be kept under observation he will die within three or four days with the development of characteristic changes in the brain that make the diagnosis a matter of only a few minutes. Should any animal which is supposed to be showing symptoms of the disease remain well for 10 days after being confined further apprehension need be felt and he may be released.
 This rule does not apply to animals just bitten or which have not begun to show symptoms. These may live for months before showing any symptoms, but may become rabid at any time from 10 days to a year from the time they were bitten.
 There is probably no danger to a per- son who is bitten more than a week be- fore the animal shows it's first symptoms.
 When an animal dies his head should be cut off low down on the neck and soaked for hour in per cent carbolic acid or formaldehyde. 1t should then be trapped in clean cloth and packed in a water-tight container with a sufficient quantity of ice to keep it fresh until 1t can reach the laboratory. After decom- position begins the brain is so much soft ened that examination is impossible.
 The package should bear the name and address of the sender and the label should indicate the nature of the con- tents. It should be addressed to State Pasteur Institute, Montgomery. Ship ment must be made by prepaid express.
 Information to Be Give In Letter.
 A letter should proceed or accompany all shipments, special attention being given to the following points:
 1. Has the animal been bitten by any other animal within the past three months?
 ?. Have there been any cases of rabies amcng animals in the neighborhood? !. When was the animal taken sick or when when did he show the first symp- toms?
 4. What symptoms did the animal show b. Were any persons bitten, and if so, give name and address of each person, character and location of bites. and state whether treatment will be desired. if the ! examination shows that the animal was rabid?
 l 6. Were other animals bitten? :. State whether report by telegraph i telephone or letter is desired. Messages will be sent collect.
 Time for Reporting for Treatment
 Two days notice is required for prepa- ra'ion or treatment; patients should l therefore not leave their homes until re- port has been received by them and a date set for their arrival in Montgom- 1 cry.
 NO charge Is made for treatment of resi- dents of Alabama. Board and lodgins may be obtained for s4 per week and LII for adults; children. s2 50 per week. The treatment takes three fullAweeks keep it.
 R. M. CUNNINGHAM, M. D., 1 City Health Officer. A Lame back-kidney Trouble Causes Ii
 It don't take long for kidney and blad. der trouble to give you lame back, ant even worse if not checked. Mrs. H. T