The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1922-02-25
FACTS ON RABIES
BY EALL0N MAN

The following interesting article on
a widely discussed subject is from the
Fallon Standard:
(By L. z. Cline)
Because of the numerous inquiries
regarding rabies, which have come
to me since the recent occurrences in
this vicinity, I feel that it is worth
while to make a few brief statements
regarding the disease, so that those
who may be unfortunate enough to
come in contact with it, may be better
able to protect themselves.
The rabies disease has been known
from early times, but until rather
recently the nature of the disease
has not been known and even at the
present time there are many who
believe in the spontaneous develop
ment of rabies, due to the lack OF wa
ter, hot weather, excitement, etc.
There is no foundation for such be-
liefs. The infectious nature of the
saliva of rabid dogs was determined
as early. as 1904. Other valuable x
periments following in rapid success
sion led up to the very valuable work
of Pasteur and his collaborators In
1899. These scientists made exhaus-
tive studies of rabies and perfected
the method of protective vaccination
against the disease known as the Pas
teur treatments as effective in pre-
venting rabies IL given early enough
after infection by a rabid animal.
Quick and active diagnosis of rabies
was. greatly facilitated by a scientist
by the name of Negri in 1908. The
scientist demonstrated the presence
of certain bodies in the brain cells
of rabid animals. These bodies are
now called Negro bodies. The mi
c%roscopial inspection of the brains of
suspected rabid animals is now uni
versally made to determine whether
or not the animal has rabies. With
this quick method of diagnosis it is
possible to determine the presence of
rabies in time for persons infected by
the suspected rabid animal to take
preventive treatments. In this con-
nection it may be seen how necessary
it is for any one bitten by a suspected
rabid animal to send the head of this
animal Immediately to a diagnostic-
ian for examination. In this State
this work is done without charge by
the veterinary department of the Uni
versity of Nevada. To facilitate their
work and insure best results the head
of the rabid animal should be sent at
the very earliest possible date, pre-
paid. Before shipment the head
should be thoroughly chilled or pack
ed in ice and preferably sealed. The
package should. be addressed to DIR.
Edward Records and he should be
notified by wire or telephone as soon
as the package is shipped so that the
package can be taken from the train
Immediately upon it's arrival and TAX
en- to the laboratory for examination.
Any delay prior to examination, es-
pecially If the specimen is not frozen
may render an accurate examination
impossible. The microscopial exami-
nation is difficult and If decomposi-
ton has set in, an accurate diagnosis
may be impossible.
The period of development of ra-
bies depends upon a number of things
such as the place of infection, the ex-
tent of the wound, and the age and
kind of animals. Young animals de-
velop rabies quicker than old
ones. Dogs and other small animals
develop rabies quicker than larger
animals. Ten days or two weeks is
the normal period for dogs and n
to three months is the period for cat
tie, though this period has been
known to extend over one or more
years. Rabies in man develops in
ten days to three weeks.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms to be watched for in
suspected animals are nervousness,
strange actions and ir~ritability, a de-
sire to hide, difficulty in eating or
drinking, excessive flow of saliva,
viciousness and in later stages par
alysis. A peculiar voice due to par
alysis of the throat is common.
Persons infected by rabid animals
should apply Immediately to local
physicians for treatment. There Is
no State laboratory for giving these
treatments now.