The Washington times., 1921-07-03
Epidemic of Rabies Expected Here
As Capital Dogs Are UnmuzzLed
Public Health authorities. Bu-
reau Of Animal industry Ex-
perts, Baoteriologists, and
Kennel Men All Look tor
Tragedy After October 3.

terror 10 the hearts or every man,
woman and child in tho District Of
Columbia in 1908 and 1910. and
from October to December in 1900,
will take place again in the Ma
tional Capital next fall Ii the Dis
trict Commissioners stand by their
recent decision to allow dogs to run
at large unmuxzled from October 8 to
July 9 Of each year.
This was the ooinion expressed
today by officials Of the Bureau Of
Animal Industry, Department OF
| Agriculture. Public Health officials.
prominent veterinary surgeons and
even dog fanciers Of the District Of
Columbia in. DISCUSSING the new
regulation of the District Com
misioners.
MUzzLE Law REvoKED.
Despite the fact that 2s3 persons
were bitten by dogs In the District
of Columbia from July 4. 1920, to
June 10, 1921, many of them by rAbid
dogs, the Commissioners have issued
a regulation that the dogs may so
| without muzzles from October 8 to
| July 0. In ordering muzxles removed
from dogs for nine months In the
! year, the Commissioners revoked
law that has been effective here for
eleven years.
OF rabies among dogs, DIR. William II.
Fowler, District Health Officer. made
the following recommendations to the
Commis sioners:.
1t is recommended that the follow
ing order be issued: "Ordered: That
under the provisions OF Section Z. Of
the act of Congress approved June
10. 1878, entitled An act TO create a
revenue in the District Of Columbia
by levying a tax upon all dogs there
In, to make such dogs personal prop
erty. and for other purposes,' the
Commissioners hereby give notice
that every dog in said District shall.
for period of one year from and
after July 9th wear q good substan-
| tial muxzle. securely put on: so as
to prevent II from biting or snappinE;
and any dog going at large during
said period without such muzxle. shall
be taken UP by the poundmaster and
| impounded."
The above order is recommended in
view of the following facts, based
on records in the Health Department.:
From July 1, 1920 to June 10. 1921,
2S3 persons have been bitten by dogs
which were either not muxzled at all;
or. IL muzzled, the same was not a
substantial muzzle securely put on so
to prevent the dog from swapping or
biting.
HAD DREAD RABIES.
! During the same period, twenty-five
dogs presenting clinical symptoms of
rabies were sent TO the Bureau of
Animal Industry. Department OF Agri-
culture, for examination to determine
whether or not the animals were suf-
fering with the disease at the time
of death.
Eight were reclared to be rabid, and
fourteen negative for rabies. Four
persons were bitten by rabid dogs
and twelve persons were bitten by
dogs negative for rabies. One of the
dogs found positive for rabies, bit
two horses and one bit two other
dogs. OF the dogs presenting clinical
symptoms of rabies and examined at
the Bureau of Animal Industry, and
which did not bite any animal or
any person, two were found positive
and two negative.
With a view to preventing the
spread of rabies among human beings.
and among dogs and other domestic
animals, this recommendation 10
made"
This recommendation was ignored
by the Commissioners, who seem TO
DO under the impression that dogs
do not develop rabies in the winter
months. but in this they are wrong,
according to authorities on hydro
phobia and to veterinary surgeons
and others who know dogs.
The disease has even been found
in Greenland, where there was IN
Epidemic in 1850. which conclusive
ly proves that climatic conditions
have nothing to do with dogs de-
veloping rabies An outbreak Of
rabies in the District of Colum bia
December. which is further proof
that danger exists from this source
in the cooler months as much as II
does in the summer months.
ONLY ONE PREVENTION.
The weather has nothing what
ever to do with it, said DR.. Robert
J. Formad. expert of the Bureau of
Animal Industry. Department of
Agriculture, who has examined
thousands of dogs in the past fifteen
years caught in the District OF Co
lumbia, which were suspected of
having rabies.
There is only one way to pre-
vent the spread OF this disease" he
said, 'and that is to keep all dogs
muzzled when they are allowed to
run at large"
England, Scotland, Holland, Sweden,
and other countries, no said, where
outbreaks of rabies we're more or Iess
common occurrences, have entirsl.'
ceased due to the fact that the laws
of those countries require that al
dogs must be muzzled when allowed
to run loose.
'If the dogs ere allowed to run
loose without muzzles from October
0 to July 0 II will be A serious mem
ace to the residents OF Washington"
declared DR.. Fornad.
DR.. ]. f. Buckley. of the Bureau OF
Animal Industry was OF the same
opinion, and exp 'essod the opinion
THAT the number OF people bitten by
dogs. would greatly Increase IL they
were allowed to run around witho IT