The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1916-06-27
RULES FOR SHIP
Ping animal HEADS

Reno, New, June "a, 1915.
Editor Silver State:
Will you kindly publish the follow
ing matter for the good of the cause"
if it appears convenient for you to do
so? Thanking you in advance, I am,
Very truly yours,
w. B. MACK,
Director State Veterinary Control
Service.
During the recent warm weather
considerable difficulty has been ex-
perienced in the diagnosis OF rabies
on account of material reaching Reno
in a state of advanced putrefaction.
During the winter, the heads of ami
mails sent for diagnosis were usually
received in suitable condition, but now
considerable portion of them arrive
in a condition which makes satisfac-
tory examination impossible When a
diagnosis for this disease is needed
at all, it is very important matter
and care should be used in sending
material Animal tissues decompose
rapidly in hot weather unless kept
COOL
Preparation of Heads for Shipment
1t is necessary that great care be
taken in handling any animal that has
died of rabies, or one that has been
killed in which there was a suspicion
that rabies existed Gloves, IL possi-
BILE of rubber, should be used in hand
ling the body of the dead animal.
Gloves and instruments used in re-
moving the head should be boiled af-
ter using. AS soon as the animal is
dead, or when it has been killed, its
head should be separated from the
body. leaving a sufficient portion of
the neck attached to the head to give
us the upper two or three inches of
the spinal cord and the brain, the It's
sues needed for diagnosis. The mu-
tilation of these organs should be
avoided as much as possible. IL
possible, keep 1t frozen. In winter,
this may be done out of doors, IL the
weather is sufficiently cold. Just be-
fore shipment, the head still wrapped
in muslin, should be placed in a wa
ter tight tin can and this container
thoroughly packed in ice and rock
salt; some sawdust may be mixed
with the ice. The package should be
sent by prepaid express to:
Dr. W. B. Mack.
Director, State Veterinary Control
Service,
Reno, Nevada.
Do Not Send by Mail
The container should be large
enough that at least a portion of the
f14 xrzfII IN, xxhn 4hn
package reaches Reno. A good-sized
wooden bucket, or coal oil can
makes suitable cortainer. The top
should be covered with cloth or bur-
lap to protect the ice.
II the suspected animal is large so
that its head makes too bulky pack
age, for instance a horse or cow,
the lower jaw should be taken off and
some of the soft tissues of the neck
cut away. The nose should be sawed
off just in front of the eyes. These
steps should be taken before the
freezing is done, since it will then be
easier to thoroughly chill the brain.
The name of the sender, together
with his postoffice address, should al
ways be placed upon the shipping tag
in order that the package can be
easily identified when it reaches the
laboratory. BY the first mail letter
should be sent to the above address,
giving the fullest possible information
concerning the animal whose head
has been shipped. Everything susp'-
cious of rabies in the animal should
be related. If any people have been
bitten or otherwise exposed to the dis
ease by this animal, their names and
postoffice addresses should, without
fail, be given in this letter. IL anv
domestic animals have been exposed.
the names and addresses of their
owners, so far as is known. sholtd
also be given in order that they may
receive proper instructions for uss In
case any of these bitten animals
should show symptoms of the disease.
II ice and other materials for
proper packing are not available at
the point of origin of heads sent n"
diagnosis, they can usually be obcS'n-
ed at the point of shipment. In sueh
instances if t'ley are packed in Ice at
the railroad poi 1t, p1.sefaction ~
be arrested. sa' i.g i1aterial with
might otherwise be lt ST