The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-05-04
RABIES

|
! of this disease, its Importance as
menace to public health and loss II
livestock, why it should be controlle
and methods for its prevention an,
control
Rabies is a fatal, acute, infectious
disease of all warm-blooded animals
transmitted, usually, to other animals
and to the human through the bite OF
scratch of an infected dogs or cats
teeth; the virus, being in the saliva
is introduced at the time of the
scratch or bite.
The inocculation of the human OF
other animals is not always through
the bite of a rabid dog or cat, yet it is
the usual manner of transmission.
The mere licking of cut or scratch
by an infected animal has been
known to transmit the infection.
In Idaho, as we'll as in all western
states, wild animals frequently infec,
our domestic animals on the open
ranges, and those Of the settlements
bordering thereon. Rabid coyotes.
especially, are known to have caused
enormous damage to livestock and
loss to human life.
1t is true that man and dog are
more closely associated in domestic
life than any other combination OF
man and beast, and it is deplorable
that both are subjects of this dread
ed disease.
Due to the fact that the virus or
this disease is transmitted usually
from one dog to another and from
dogs and cats to the human family.
and that, usually, every case of rab-
les is traced to the bite of a rabid
dog, it is foregone conclusion that
our attention should be directed to-
ward preventing Rabies in the dog,
as the only practical means of pro-
tecting the human FRANKLY from loss
Of life and property and eradicating
this disease.
In view of these facts, it is within !
The bounds of reason, then, to assume |
hat if rabies could be eradicated in
he canine and feline family, the hui
nan and other animals would not be
30 directly subjected to inocculation,
which is the prime factor to be consid-
'red in the protection of human life.
Outbreaks of rabies occur in nearly
very part of the civilized world, ex-
ept possibly in Australia, where, It
S said, strict quarantine regulations
igidly enforced have kept the coun-
ry free from this disease.
On account of the uncertain period
4 incubation of Rabies, unless quar-
milne is continuously kept in force
nd dogs restrained or vaccinated,
poradic cases develop and propaga-
Ion Of the disease goes on.
Sparodic outbreaks often occur due
, the popularity and nature of this
isease in dogs, which causes them
} run listessly and wild, for long
istances, attacking other animals as
ley go, spreading the disease to re-
tote parts of the country and unless
lie outbreak is controlled Immediate
:, it becomes epidemic.
From the fact that in nearly all
ltbreaks, one or more persons ano
robably many animals are subjec.-
ibid dog, it makes the subject of re-
les eradication and prevention one
the most important for considera-
on.
he Dog the Prime Factor in Rabies
Control
Fully realizing the fact that the
" is the prime factor in transmit
lg and disseminating rabies, the
tention of Livestock Sanitary offic-
Is is directed to this factor for com
etc control and eradication of this
sease.
[ethOds of Control and Prevention
1t has been determined that rabies
n be most successfully prevented
an immunizing vaccine. This has
en- proven by the application aid
vaccination.
have develoed a one
Sc vaccine for dogs which is an eff
i've and practical immunizing agent
1t will protect them for at least one
ar, and can be procured from Bio
.ical companies at price that is
prohibitive. Many authorities con-
er the immunity, thus produced,
i last for a longer period, and are
'ther experimenting to determine
actual period Of immunity estab-
led.
Japanese authorities claim this
m of vaccination will prevent tho
ease for period Of two years, bas-
their claim on an exeriment car
/ out in two Provinces where rab-
was steadily on the increase, In
Province 10000 dogs were vac
ated, with loss Of two dogs from
lies; while in one other Province
Of 10000 unvaccinated dogs, $50
| of Rabies within the year. 1t Is
T being extensively used with the
v of eradicating the disease from
Empire.
he experiences Of Connecticut sim
to that of other states, teaches us
quarantine regulations neces-
z to control the MOVEMENT and ac-
l.