The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1917-03-02
Playing With Danger

A few days ago the little son OF
one of our citizens, eight years Old,
and who is attending school at
Thomas, was attacked and badly Bit
ten while at school by dog belong
ing to neighbor. The Whole
length of the arm being sevierly la
cerated with the animals teeth. The
dog was killed and the matter drop
ned and tho the act of the dog was
unaccountable as he was used to the
association of children, yet the head
was not sent to Boise for inspection
by the state bactorologist, and as a
matter of fact, no one KNOWS
whether the dog was afflicted with
rabies or not? And as the period
of incubation in man ranges from
a few yeeks to two years. This lit
tie fellow unless something Is done
to determine facts. or the pasture
treatment is administered, must walk
for many months in the shadow OF
one of the deadliest perils that ever
beclouded the existence OF child.
The writer is informed that a physlc-
ian was called over the phone, and
that he failed to advise test OF the
animals brain. We do not care to
learn who this physician is, because
the knowledge would tend to prelu-
dice us Neither does the writer
blame the parents of the child, or
the owner of the dog, because both
no doubt did the very best they knew
and we hope for their sake and for
the child's sake, all will end well.
Tn November there was considerable
loss thru rabies in this neighborhood
and the writer who had suffered
some loss himself, got into communl-
cation with DR.. Leaubaugh, state
bactorologist at Boise, who informed
him that he had endeavored to warn
the people of Idaho OF the serious
ness of the situation, but that his de-
partment was without funds to carry
on the work, and that there seemed
to be an unaccountable indifference
on the part of newspapers and others
who were in a position to aid IN
the work. And he ask for the CO.
operation of the writer in every way
possible. The writer then conferred
with his kinsman, the present speak
er of the house of representatives
and found him heartily in sympathy
with any move along this line that
would safe guard the people, and
these two have been in communlca-
ton upon this and kindred subjects
ever since Speaker Alfred reached
Boise. Also thru the courtesy OF a
local paper the writer had published
a circular giving official description
of the disease, it's symptoms, danger
and ways of transmission. and from
time to time since that, he has had
published clippings from the SAT-
Tribune, which has kept up STEADY
fire descriptive Of the serious situa.
ton in our neighboring state OF
Utah. And yet a few days ago a
neighbor asked the writer II rabies
ever proved fatal in the case OF per-
sons who contracted them? the
writer believes the deep snow alone
has saved us from continued losses
thru the spread of this disease. We
cannot hope to escape while Utah
suffers so heavily. But the writer
takes the stand that it is the duty OF
every individual to do his part In
protecting life and property against
this already present menace and that
physicians have a double duty in the
matter, and the head of every AMI.
NAL where there is even the slightest
reason for suspicion should be sent
to Boise for inspection as the ex'
press costs but little and the tests
are made free. The whole head cut
somewhat back on the neck should
be sent. +g