Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1917-02-23
DIR. MACFARLANE
WRITES ON RABIES
Gives Valuable information on the
Disease, Its Origin, Symptoms and
Control
lRy DIR. M. j. Macfarlane. }

/ my LII. WI. AvlhCA6TihHt.t
Hydrophobia, or rabies, is becoming
80 widely spread in the western states
that its seriousness is becoming more
| apparent every month. Il is possible
that people Of this section, because Of
lack Of information as to the peculiar
tiles Of the disease, are not fully alive
to it's possibilities for financial losses,
particularly to stockmen, not to men
ton the danger Of its spread TO hu-
man beings. Already Losses TO stock
men in adjacent states has been enor-
nous, and that it will pass US by is
scarcely possible. A number Of cat
tie, sheep and pigs have developed the
disease in our county. Fully a score
Of people who have been 30 unfortu-
nate as to be bitten by dogs or coyotes
suffering from hydrpphobia have ia
ken advantage Of the Pssteur treat
ment now being given by the State
Board Of Health. We are bound TO
lose q good many head Of cattle and
sheep, and the thing for as TO do Is to
inform ourselves a. to the peculiar
tiles Of the disease and to cooperate
with the county officials in the en-
forcement of ordinances now being
drafted to compel proper muzzling
and care Of dogs.
Hydrophobia was known before the
Christian era, but due to its peculiar
tiles the disease has always been
shrouded in much mystery and super
stition. Only in comparatively re-
cent years has its true nature been
discovered. It is germ disease al
though the germ has not as yet been
isolated. The virus entering wound
travels along the nerves to the central
nervous system. It also inhabits the
salivary glands, milk glands and 9TH
er secretory organs, but, peculiarly
enough, does not infect the blood
stream. Because the salivary glands
are full bf the poison the saliva Is
very liable to be the medium Of trans
fer Of the disease from one animal to
another through bite by an animal
suffering from the disease.
The period from the wound to the
appearance Of the disease known as
the incubation period) is variable in
length, varying from 81 days to as
high rs 285 days, the large majority
Of cases appearing in from 81 to 30
days. This period varies according to
the site Of the initial wound, those on
the face being shorter, those on arms
and hands next, according to the de-
gree Of laceration Of the wound and
somewhat according to the animal
from whom the wound 10 received, the
wolf and coyote and dog being worst
An animal bitten by another rabid
animal will show no symptoms until
the period Of incubation Is up. II then
may be noticed a. having q desire to
be by itself and avoiding the herd or
It's companions. Its disposition Is
changed, it refuses food and becomes
emaciated very rapidly. It refuses
water particularly, the attempt : to
drink being accompanied by reflex
spasms Of the throat and neck
muscles. This symptom gives the
disease its nsms--Aydro, meaning
water, and phobia, meaning fear.
After day or two the symptoms
change; the animal becomes bold and
savage, biting ct evsrything--if ne 10
a dog he 10 apt to bite his master, he
goes after stock, pigs or sheep very
viciously. He win satisfy the desire
to bite by chewing at sticks, leather,
rags or what not
Often when in doubt as to the dis
ease dogs stomach may be opened
and II such things are found without
also the presence of food the finding
is considered strong proof Of the ma
ture Of the disease. II Is a good test
for layman. Accompanying this
period of excitement are the frothing
Of the mouth, the change in the coun.
tenance, absolute constipation and
shaggy coat.
After two or three days Of this per-
iod the animal enters the paralytic
stage characterized by more quiet, al
desire to get away into a dark, quiet
place and finally paralysis of differ
ent parts Of the body and finally |
death.
Occasionally the first symptom APP
pearing is trembling and weakness
Of the animal and paralysis--known
as dumb rabies.
The symptoms as briefly described
above are characteristic Of all animals
whether livestock or dogs, and with
the exception of the mental symptihs
are characteristic of the disease in
human beings. II is most dreadful
disease, proving fatal in all cases in
which 1t develops. No remedy is
Known that stops its dreadful course
'nce it is established. The fact that
1t least Il days elapse before the dis
Ease develops gives an opportunity to
develop an immunity in the person
noculated by the method of Pasteur.
The disease was once widely prev
ilent in Germany and England as
we'll as in other European countries,
'ut by rigid enforcement of laws COM
'elling the muzzling and proper care
II dogs, it has been exterminated in
he two former nations.
What should farmer do in case
he disease appears in his cattle or
heep? Muzzle his dogs, isolate all
Inimals bitten, cauterize all wounds
With pure carbolic acid following it