White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1923-03-23
FACTS ABOUT RABIES

During the past two years there
has been a noticeable increase in the
number of cases Of rabies in Benton
county, and only by and through the
!. experiences of victims of the men,
ace within the past few months, the
Grange was prompted to make an
investigation in regard to the best
possible channel of disposition Of
patients who are so unfortunate as
to be attacked and bitten by rabid
animals.
With the assistance of the state
department of agriculture, the Pas
teur institute and A. S. Goss master
OF the Washington State Grange. the
committee has been able to formu-
late u method of procedure and with
the following official information
will, no doubt. prove very valuable.
Rabies CIR hydrophobia tx a specif-
ic, communicable disease affecting
all warm bloodted animals, includ-
ing man. The dog is especially sus-
ceptible and because of his rowing
habits is the chief disseminator of
the disease.
The bite of rabid animal is not
necessarily fatal;the virus is estim-
ated to be transmitted in about 80
per cent Of cases, but when the dis
ease is contracted and not treated
it is practically always fatal.
The Pasteur treatment prevents
may fatalities, but even with this
precaution there is much anxiety,
I suffering, hardship, and expense.
| Rabies can be transmitted only by
animals that are actually diseased
at the time. There is no foundation
for the belief that persons bitten by
dog which subsequently becomes
rabid may contract the maladX..
This terrible disease is all too
| prevalent in the United States, in
SS1pite of the fact that it's suppression
is comparatively simple. The prob
lem is solved when the rabid animal
is eliminated. This is proven by
the experience Of some other coun-
tries. notably Norway, where the
disease has been entirely stamped
out
similar result might be brought
about in this country, with the CO.
operation Of the states, by, "a H.
censing all dogs, (2) muzzling all
dogs not otherwise kept in restraint
and CD rigid inspection and quar-
antire at borders and ports Of entry
In regard to an attack where the
skin has been punctured, the wound
should, as soon as possible, be caut-
erized and within five days the pa
tient must be under medical atten-
ton inorder that serum may
be administered The patient
should proceed to the Pasteur
institute, Seattle, Washington, where
a nominal fee of $4,000 will be
charged for treatments and serum;
II the patient cannot meet this
charge, the county from which he
comes must pay it.
The fact that. the patient stays at
home while taking the treatments
will not reduce the charge for the
treatments and serum. This will on
ly increase the expense by paying
for the services of a doctor; this fee
in itself is at times exorbitant.
When possible the animal should
be taken or sent to the institute in
order to learn which stage of the
disease he is in at the time of at
tack.
Anyone interested as to the cause
and symptoms of the disease may
obtain pamphlets free from the diyi-
sion of publications U. S. Depart
ment of Agriculture. Washington.
d. G. 1t is urged that copies be
secured for all personal information.
Committee
JESSE j. TROMANHAUSER
Chairman.
l.. w. BELDIN
T.. s. HEnGER