The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1915-09-25
RABIES SPREAD IS EXPLAINED
DR.. W. B. Mack Of Nevada Uni.
versity Answers Two Cues
tons Concerning Prevail
ing Epidemic

In response to the questions, How
is the infection of rabies spread?"
and What should county commits
sioners do with dogs 2" both of
which YER put up recently to Pres
ident Hendrick of the University of
Nevada, the following has been writ
ten by DR.. w. B. Mack, veterinarian
and bacteriologist of the university:
How is the infection of rabies
spread?
In most instances rabies is trans
mitted to men and animals by the
bites of infected animals. Dogs.
coyotes and animals which natural
ly bite as a means of offense or de-
tense are responsible for nearly all
cases. Any infected animal might
transmit the disease. but among do
mesticated animals, those most like
ly to transmit it are the carnivora.
Infected horses or mules might do
so readily. There is likelihood of
cattle and sheep transmitting it, and
| know of no cases on record where
rabid men have done so.
1t is the practice, however, in cases
of rabies in man, to guard effectual-
ly against transmission. as there is
no reason why a rabid mar may not
transmit the disease as well as in
fected animals. That probably ac-
counts largely for the reason that
there are few or nc such instances
on record.
The disease may also be transmit
ted by the abrasion of the skin by
the claws of infected animals con-
taminated by their saliva. In fact,
any method by which infection ma
turally may gain acces to the It's
sues of an individual may be sufh-
cient for the transmission of the
disease.
About 20 per cent of human beings
who are bitten by rabid animals de-
velop the disease. This percentage
is much lower than in animals.
Doubtless the clothing of man pro-
tects him many times. The disease
is always fatal, once it develops.
What should County Commission
ers do with dogs?
In a community in which rabies
exist. all dogs should be placed un-
der efficient restraint. This restraint
should be such that it is impossible
for them to bite human beings or
other animals, or, in turn, to be Bit
ten by infected animals in towns or
cities. The dog is the principal-in
fact, practically the only-medium
by which rabies is transmitted. Re-
straint of dogs should consist of con-
finement in buildings sufficient to
keep other dogs from attacking those
confined, or if dogs are allowed to
run at large, they should be muz-
zled or led upon leash. The county
commissioners should order such en-
forcement of muzzling and insist or
a rigid enforcement of such ordin-
ances. If dogs are found running al
large without a muzzle, they should
be shot or captured or confined. In
the case of farmers, sheepherders,
etc.. visiting town accompanied by
dogs, the same regulations should
apply. If these requirements are
complied with, the danger from the
spread of rabies in towns will be
practically eliminated. AS an ex-
ample of the efficiency of muzzlin9
or keeping dogs in leash in well-set.
; tied communities. the experience OF
Great Britain is of interest. sub
nit the following statistics from
, that country:
YEAR No. cases of Rabies.
1887 $50. 217
1885. 49,. ioo
! 1889 3ls
MuzzIins Enforced
, 1890. ............. ...,........ 12e
1881. ~
1879 49,. .....-.... ..... DC