The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-11

Il have made special investigation OF
the recent severe epidemic of coryza, or
so-called colds. which seem to have fol-
lowed in the wake Of the epidemic Of in.
fuenza," he says. This investigation has
been made with great care because of the
increased number Of throat disorders which
have been more noticeable in those persons
who are associated with or come In con
tact with cats and dogs. Careful investiga
ton OF great number OF cats and dogs
has demonstrated that 80 per cent Of these
animals are infected with a specific bacil.
lus producing distemper or contagious
form Of nasal catarrh.
II have found in a number of instances
where persons have been troubled with a
stubborn contagious catarrh OF many
months duration there is present the spe.
cifc organism which is Characteristic OF
the disease as found in dogs and cats.
"In one instance the woman gave a his
tory OF having a catarrhal affection OF the
mucous membrane OF the nose with inflam.
nation Of the sinuses for number OF
months. Examination revealed the spe.
cifc bacillus OF distemper or contagious
catarrh which is present in the nose and
throat OF small dogs. One special feature
OF this case was that this woman had been
to'a number OF specialists and had received
all kinds OF treatments with only tempo
rary benefits. The growth in the incubator
OF the culture taken from the nasal passage
Of the dog not only revealed the specific
bacillus Of distemper but various mixed
types Of streptococcus disease germs).
This woman stated that she not only
had the dog constantly in her company.
out had made him sleep with her in bed
She stated, with pride, that she was in the
habit Of kissing the dog many, many times
a day.
How any self-respecting woman could
so lower her sex refinement as to caress
ton. Upon further investigation ] find
that many infections are brought about by
The association OF dogs and cats with chill
dren as well as adults. 7 am quite posi-.
tive, after serious study that dogs and
cats are largely responsible for the cpl.
demic OF colds and chronic catarrhal
rhfnorrhea which infect great numbers of
the populace.
This habit or craze. OF the women OF
our land OF fondling dogs as pets is
becoming alarming, and l feel that il is
time that the health boards of the country
should give more careful attention to this
matter. Many Of our States have passed
law compelling the population to wear
masks to prevent the spread Of influenza
At the same time dogs are allowed to min.
gle with the people in the streets, to pc-
cupy their homes, to sleep in the bed
with women and children. sneeze and
cough and scatter disease broadcast.
without any attention being paid TO this
source Of infection.
There is not another source of disease
which Is injecting the human race more
aiarmingly than the caressing by children
and women Of the small dogs, all OF which
carry a specific bacillus which is commu
nlcable to the human race. ] am quite
sure that some drastic measures SHOULD
be taken by the health authorities to pre-
vent the spread Of this disease. which Is
not only OF serious nature but very In.
tractable OF cure.
Il have no doubt but that many of the
cases OF the present epidemic OF coryza
(severe cold in the head) have for. their
specific source the specific bacillus and
mher micro.organisms which are present
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