Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1921-12-02
RABIES

Note.-The following article supplied
by DR.. George R. White, State Vet
erinarian, will be of interest to the
general jublic.
Rabies, commonly known as "hy-
drophobia," is an acute infectious
disease transmitted from animal to
animal and from animal to man by
the bite of animals affected with the
disease. 1t is not and cannot be trans
mitted in any other manner.
All warm blooded animals are sus-
ceptible. However, it is observed
more frequently in the dog than any
other animal, principally on account
of this animals tendency to bite
Whenever Rabies develops in any
species of animals usually dogs
bite is responsible therefor.
History. Rabies was described by
Aristotle in the fourth century, B.
C. The first outbreak on the Ameri-
can continent occurred in Boston in
1768. In 1779 it appeared in Phila-
delphia; since then it has spread to
all the states. Outbreaks of Rabies
have occurred in every county in
Tennessee, and at this time it is re-
ported as prevalent in at least eight
or ten counties.
Rabies is no respector of seasons;
it OCCURS during every month of the
year with about equal prevalency.
The old expression, "dog days" is a
myth.
Period of incurabe. The time from
sustaining the bite from a rabid ami
NAL to the beginning of symptoms
of the disease is variable Probably
more variable in rabies than any 9TH
er disease-19 days to three years,
average 80 days,
The variation in size, depth and
character of the wound, its location
on the body and the virulence and
the amount of virus received all play
an important part in the early or late
development of the disease. Wounds
on the head, neck and shoulders are
always the most dangerous.
Symptoms. Dropped lower jaws,
which of course means open mouth
slight protusion Of the tongue, star
ey expression from the eyes, dirt or
SCOT on tongue, dripping Of saliva
from the mouth, however this not
constant as some rabid dogs have
dry mouths, swapping and biting at
moving objects.
On account of partial paralysis Of
the vocal cords the tone of the voice
is changed. There is also inability to
swallow on account of paralysis Of
the throat The animals habits and
behavior changes. They appear I'M
easy and agitated. They lie down
but in a few minutes they are up
walking about, seeking rest but find
ing none. In the late stages we OBJ
serve exhaustion, paralysis, prostra-
ton and finally death.
There is tendency to leave home
and run at randum over the coun-
try If they do not become exhaust
ed and die on the road, most rabid
dogs return home to die, A rabid
animal usually survives from to 6
days
Warning. When you observe a
dog with open, dirty mouth, slightly
protruded tongue and starey express
sion from eyes you had better be
careful. If such a dog has bitten
persons or other animals, do not kill
it until diagnosis of the case is
made. Under the above circum-
stances the dog should be confined
and kept under observation of a
qualified veterinarian until death
occurs.
The head should then be severed
close to the body, after which pack
it in common salt and send to a
Pathological laboratory with instruc-
tons that rabies is suspected and to
search for Negri bodies. If Negrl
bodies are found, then the diagno-
sis of Rabies is confirmed and Pas
teur treatment should be begun with
out delay. No longer than five days
! should be allowed to elapse between
the time of sustaining the bite of a
rabid animal and the beginning OF
Pasteur treatment.
Remember, that the old time mad
stone" is nothing more or less than
a myth. It's use and curative proper