The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-02-14
Seasonal Incidence Due 10 Sea-
sonal Variation Of Three
Sources Of lnfection-Tick
Bite, Fly Bite and Dressing
Of Wild Rabbits

Seasonal incidence Of cases Of
tularaemia, according to tho United
States public health service, il due
to the seasonal variation Of three
sources Of infection, tick bite, ny
bite and the dressing Of wild rab-
bits, but owing to the overlapping
of these influences, cases have oc-
Cured in the United States in every
month Of the year. The great res
ervoir of infection and the great
est source Of human infection from
tularaemia is the wild rabbits, jack,
cottontaa and snowshoc varieties,
but owing to the agencies of blood
sucking insects common to rabbits
and man, cases resulting from tick
bite and fly bite are found.
OF the rabbits offered for sale in
the Washington, d. c., market in
the winters Of 1923, 1924, and 1926,
DR.. Edward Francis Of the public
health service examined the livers
Of 1000 and found nine or slightly
less than one per cent, infected with
tularaemia. The liver and spleen of
an infected rabbit are studded over
the surface with small spots vary
ing in size from that of a pinpoint
to one-sixteenth inch in diapleter.
OF % cases Of tularaemia in Wash
ington, II Of the patients had dress
ed wild rabbits bought or sold in
the market, four had dressed rab-
bits shot nearby, and one had dress
ed rabbit which he had killed with
q club.
42O Cases Reported
Four hundred and twenty cases Of
tularaemia have been reported, OF
which II have died. This places
tn, mortality at about four per
cent. These figures embrace only
the CAGES which have been reported
to the public health service, but
considering the newness Of the dis.
ease, they probably represent only
a portion Of the actual number of
cases and deaths.
Cases have now been reported
from Japan. from the District OF
Columbia and from 81 states. The
nine northeastern states are the
only significant portion Of the Uni.
ted States in which cases have not
been recognized.
As rulc when the infection has
come from a rabbit some injury has
been inflicted on the hand while
dressing the rabbit, although q
manifest injury is not necessary TO,
infection to occur. Usually an ulcer
develops at the site of infection &C.
companied by enlargement Of the
lymph glands which drain the ulcer,
Fever is always present and con
tinues for two or three weeks. The
site Of infection from tularaemia
may be located on any part Of the
body other than the skin Of thu
hands. If due to tick bite or fly bite
The diagnosis Of tularaemia is con.
firmed by a blood test. One attack
confers immunity in man. Rest in
bed is the most important treat,
ment. The enlarged lymph glands
should be opened only after pus has
definitely formed.
The infection has never beer
found in nature in domesticatet
rabbits raised in rabbitries.
No Preventive Vaccine
No preventive vaccine or curativ,
serum has yet been perfected. MOI
has any special drug been fount
effective against tularaemia.
Rabbit meat thoroughly cooked l!
harmless for food, and it has beer
found that q temperature Of 81
degrees Centigrade or 1873 degreeI
Fahrenheit kills the germs Of tula
raemia. The ordinary disinfectant.
are effective. Rubber gloves shoul'
be worn by those who dress will,
rabbits. Immune persons should b
employed to dress them where pos
sible. Infected rabbits, kept frozel
for 80 days, have been found to b